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Genesis Digital Assets signs deal for 20K mining machines to fuel growth in North America, Nordic region

The order follows a June purchase by Genesis of 10K machines from China-based Canaan, one of the world’s biggest Bitcoin mining rig makers

Australian consumer protection body issues warning to crypto investors

The Securities and Investments Commission warned against investing in digital-asset financial products. Some say the warning lacks specifics.

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan is launching his own NFT collection

Prominent Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan will release his own non-fungible token collection later this year. Fast facts The NFTs will be rolled out on BeyondLife.club, a joint venture between Indian film production company Rhiti Entertainment and Guardian Link, a decentralized legitimacy protocol for NFT exchanges. BeyondLife.club allows users to buy NFTs with credit cards or […]

El Salvador creates $150M fund to assist with BTC adoption

A week out from El Salvador’s adoption of BTC as legal tender, the country’s legislative assembly has approved a US$150 million trust to help facilitate exchange between BTC and the U.S. dollar – the nation’s current official currency, according to a report by local newspaper El Diario de Hoy. Fast facts Last week, Forkast.News reported […]

Dogecoin spawns more pups with Doge NFT split into tokens for resale

Dogecoin keeps spawning pups, and this time, it could be quite a litter. In yet another spinoff of the crypto industry’s biggest meme, fractionalized ownership of the non-fungible token (NFT) of the original Shiba Inu image that launched Dogecoin is up for sale today in the form of $DOGE tokens, Bloomberg reports. Fast facts Ownership […]

Singapore grants FOMO Pay the city-state’s first crypto license

FOMO Pay, a Singapore-based fintech company, announced today that it has obtained a license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to provide Digital Payment Token Service — the first such approval out of 170 applicants for the city-state that is rapidly becoming a global crypto hub. Fast facts FOMO Pay said it had been […]

FTX acquires LedgerX to expand into US crypto derivatives market

FTX US, the affiliate of Hong Kong-based crypto derivatives exchange FTX, on Tuesday announced that it was acquiring Ledger Holdings Inc., parent company of LedgerX, a digital currency futures and options exchange regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Fast facts LedgerX is a CFTC-regulated designated contract market (DCM), swap execution facility (SEF) and […]

MetaMask surpasses 10M monthly active users; Philippines, U.S. top users

MetaMask, a non-custodial wallet that allows users to interact with the Ethereum blockchain and Ethereum-compatible networks such as Polygon, has seen its monthly active users surge over 1,800% in the past year to surpass 10 million, according to ConsenSys, an Ethereum blockchain software developer. Fast facts Alongside the explosive growth of the Ethereum ecosystem from […]

The9 launches NFT platform; HK SFC issues crypto warning

The9 launches NFT platform meanwhile HK SFC issues crypto warning

Some NFT creators and investors have a lucky number

A fascination with 8s could be related to the fact that the Chinese pronunciation of the number 8 or “Ba” is similar to that of “發” or “Fa,” which stands for wealth and prosperity.

SEC wants to watch videos of Ripple’s company meetings

The battle over discovery escalates between SEC and Ripple over what might have been said about the XRP at Ripple’s all-hands meetings since 2014. Will there be popcorn?

Philippines may classify Axie Infinity as a company running a payment system

The hot play-to-earn token game Axie Infinity is under increased scrutiny from Philippines tax  authorities. The country’s central bank said it is closely monitoring how players use game tokens to decide whether to classify and regulate Axie’s parent company as an entity that runs payment systems. Fast facts The central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, […]

C.R.E.A.M. Finance suffers $28M flash loan hack

C.R.E.A.M. Finance, a Taipei-based decentralized lending platform for individuals, institutions and protocols to access financial services, has suffered a flash loan exploit that led to a loss of about US$28 million, underlining the potential vulnerabilities of decentralized finance mechanisms. Fast facts C.R.E.A.M. tweeted on Monday that its market on Ethereum suffered an exploit, “resulting in […]

South Korea’s crypto exchanges join forces for FATF travel rule compliance

Three of South Korea’s four major exchanges have launched a joint venture to develop solutions for complying with the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) crypto travel rule. The travel rule sets a global standard for virtual asset service providers to combat money laundering and terrorist financing and requires exchanges to collect information on senders and […]

Why Facebook’s Novi wallet could strike gold in SE Asia

Facebook’s Novi is ready to launch. Here’s why the Diem crypto wallet might find an especially warm welcome in places like the Philippines and Malaysia.

Chinese gaming company The9 expands into NFT business

The9 Ltd., a Chinese gaming company that pivoted earlier this year to cryptocurrency mining, unveils plans to get into non-fungible token business, reflecting the company’s ambition to ramp up its blockchain-based operation. Fast facts Nasdaq-listed The9 has announced that its Singapore-based subsidiary NFTSTAR Singapore Pte. Ltd. will launch a NFT trading and community platform NFTSTAR […]

Ethereum, Cardano, Solana lead institutional crypto inflows: CoinShares

Cryptocurrency investment products saw a second consecutive week of inflows of US$24 million last week, despite the eighth consecutive week of outflows from Bitcoin of US$3.8 million, according to CoinShares, Europe’s largest digital assets fund manager. Fast facts Total digital assets under management (AUM) across all digital asset fund providers last week stood at US$56.86 […]

Korea’s love for crypto continues; Crypto exchange Bilaxy hacked

Korea’s love for crypto continues while Crypto exchange Bilaxy hacked

Mutant Ape NFTs collect $140 million on OpenSea market

Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) — one of the hottest non-fungible token projects at the moment — released its Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) NFTs over the weekend through a free airdrop to existing Bored Ape holders as well as a public auction of 10,000 Mutant Apes. The price for Mutant Apes started at three […]

More teens in South Korea buy crypto despite strict pending regulations

New data shows increasing deposits made by teens in virtual currency despite new rules that may close down many platforms in less than a month.

Hong Kong-based crypto exchange Bilaxy hacked; over $21M loss

The 20th hijack this month, after Poly Network, Solend and Liquid.

Solana crosses $100 price level

As Bitcoin and Ethereum drop after a quick ascent, the surge of Solana (SOL) continues. SOL hit a new all-time high of US$102.07 today, with its market cap reaching over US$29 billion. The world’s eighth largest cryptocurrency has been consecutively hitting new all-time highs in the past four days. Fast facts The market cap of […]

Three state-owned banks in China release e-CNY usage data

Tens of billions in digital yuan circulate through the banks’ systems, as leaders encourage wider adoption.
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Ethereum network splits into two; update is urged

A network patch designed to fix a bug on the Geth network has led to the world’s second-largest blockchain splitting in two.

Square’s Jack Dorsey to build decentralized Bitcoin exchange

Jack Dorsey, CEO of tech giants Square and Twitter, announced on Friday that Square’s new decentralized finance division, TBD, plans to build a decentralized Bitcoin exchange. Fast facts “We’ve determined TBD’s direction: help us build an open platform to create a decentralized exchange for Bitcoin,” he tweeted. Project lead for TBD Mike Brock also tweeted […]

Singapore central bank announces 15 finalists for Global CBDC Challenge

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today announced 15 finalists for its “Global CBDC Challenge” — a competition to develop retail Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) solutions to improve payment services and promote financial inclusion. Fast facts According to MAS, the Global CBDC Challenge attracted over 300 submissions from more than 50 countries, with over […]

Why some big investors are diving into DeFi but others are holding back

Decentralized finance (DeFi) is attracting a lot of attention from traditional banks and venture capital, but many institutions remain firmly on the sidelines. Forkast.News explores why.

S. Korea crypto exchanges told no grace period for do-or-die reporting deadline

A looming deadline for crypto exchanges in South Korea to either meet new compliance requirements or face closure will not be extended, the country’s newly nominated chief financial regulator says. The rules are designed to improve investor protection and transparency in crypto transactions, but many exchanges have been calling for a longer grace period. Fast […]

How Bitcoin and Ethereum are rekindling with equities

What is the relationship between crypto assets and stock prices? An analysis week’s market trends.

Axie Infinity tweet suggests willingness to work with Philippines on tax demand

Axie Infinity, one of the world’s most popular non-fungible token (NFT) games, tweeted that it is “looking forward to working with physical nations” and called for its digital users to abide by the laws of their home countries, presumably a reference to local tax laws. Fast facts The tweet came just days after the Philippines government stated […]

Solana price hits all-time high as Bitcoin, crypto market dip

Bitcoin’s price dropped following a quick ascent past US$50K, but analysts say the rally is set to continue. Meanwhile, Solana again defied the overall market to post a new price high.

How a Hong Kong newspaper is remaking history with NFTs

The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong’s paper of record for 118 years, is experimenting with NFTs and metaverse technology to bring its storied past into the future.

Former India central bank chief says cryptocurrencies have a ‘potential future’

While India’s parliament considers a potential nationwide ban on all private virtual currencies, a former governor of India’s central bank says some cryptocurrencies have a “potential future” in the global economy. Raghuram Rajan, ex-governor of India’s central bank and former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, made his comments at a Reuters Global Markets […]

AAX to launch its own NFT marketplace, following other crypto exchanges

Amid the immense growth in the non-fungible token market, leading Singapore-based crypto exchange AAX is planning to launch its own NFT marketplace in the “near future,” according to a press release shared with Forkast.News. Fast facts In preparation for the launch, AAX is running a campaign in which its users can auction NFTs for charity […]

Forkast.News exclusive: Antinalysis is out, proud and ready to tell (almost) all

In a special Q&A, an Antinalysis spokesperson reveals the source of the company’s controversial data and disputes that it’s for criminals. ‘Privacy is a human right.’

Korea reveals crypto exchange ‘Death Note’: DeFi investment booms

Korea reveals crypto exchange ‘Death Note’: DeFi investment booms

Bitcoin mining difficulty increases 13.2%

Bitcoin miners saw another mining difficulty adjustment on Wednesday night, with an increase of 13.24%, according to data from BTC.com. Fast facts The mining difficulty level is now at 17.62 trillion at block height 697,536, reflecting a 13.24% increase from the last adjustment, the data showed. The latest adjustment follows two increases after four consecutive […]

South Korea unveils “death note” for crypto exchanges

24 out of 63 digital currency exchanges in South Korea are not expected to meet new compliance requirements and will most likely be shut down in less than a month.

DeFi TVL hits all-time high, breaking past correlation with Ethereum price

While DeFi has historically moved with the Ethereum price, the latest all-time high in total value locked in can largely be attributed to new blockchains purpose-built for the sector and institutional interest.

Chinese tech company Meitu reports $17M loss on Bitcoin holdings in 1H 2021

Meitu, a Hong Kong-listed Chinese technology company best known for its popular beauty apps, saw an RMB111,907, 000 (US$17.3 million) impairment loss on its Bitcoin holdings in the first six months of 2021, the company reported in its latest financial results. Fast facts According to Meitu’s Aug. 25 HKEX filing: “the decrease in fair value […]

BIS, HKMA partner on Project Genesis to tokenize green bonds

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub Hong Kong Centre and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) are collaborating on Project Genesis — a green finance project for the tokenization of green bonds using blockchain technology, according to a BIS statement. Fast facts Project Genesis — the BIS Innovation Hub’s first green finance project […]

Cardano Foundation partners with Coinfirm for AML/CFT compliance

In the latest from the world’s third-largest cryptocurrency, which has gone from strength to strength this month, the Cardano Foundation is partnering with blockchain analytics provider Coinfirm.io to ensure the network complies with the Financial Action Task Force’s guidelines. Fast facts In a company announcement this week, the Cardano Foundation said it would be using […]

Hacked crypto exchange Liquid secures $120M loan from FTX

While the funds stolen in last week’s cyberattack on Liquid are yet to be returned, the Japanese exchange has secured a US$120 million loan from fellow exchange FTX to cover losses. Fast facts Sam Bankman-Fried, the billionaire CEO of Hong-Kong based FTX, took to Twitter to make the announcement, saying he had always admired Liquid’s […]

UK’s Financial Conduct Authority: Binance has complied with requirements

Binance Markets Limited, the British affiliate of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, is now compliant with the requirements that the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority imposed on the company in June, the FCA said Wednesday. Fast facts The FCA had, back in June, issued a warning to Binance Markets Limited and the Binance Group and imposed […]

How regulators should consider the future of DeFi | Ep. 1

What is DeFi, why it’s poised to enable financial inclusion, and how the showdown between decentralized finance and regulators is taking shape.

HK football team launches NFTs; Food concept offers crypto mooncakes

HK football team launches NFTs; Food concept offers crypto mooncakes

Bitcoin bulls brace. CryptoPunks’ pulling power. China’s crypto lawfare.

Top blockchain and crypto news: Is another Bitcoin bull run coming soon? Punks rocking NFTs. Why crypto contracts may not be enforceable in China.

Hong Kong’s Resources Capital Football Club kicks off NFT goals

The team joins a growing number of football clubs around the world launching non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as they look to engage fans and generate new revenue streams.

Celsius Network grows 1,900% this year, US$20B AUM

In another sign of decentralized finance’s continued growth, Celsius Network has just announced it now has more than US$20 billion in assets under management – making it one of the largest DeFi platforms in the world. Fast facts These figures came from Celsius’ most recent quarterly internal audit, according to a company press release, which […]
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Dogecoin is going to the dogs, including real-world canines

Just as Dogecoin prices are once again going to the dogs, a Chicago animal shelter is asking for DOGE donations to help real-life dogs in the dumps. Fast facts PAWS Chicago has launched a “Dogenation” campaign, which allows animal lovers to donate to the charity in cryptocurrencies — not just Dogecoin — via QR codes […]

Vogue Singapore catwalks to a metaverse with NFT launch

The magazine unveils two digital-only covers as well as fashion, beauty and design NFTs, all for sale in a new metaverse.

Court in China says trading in cryptocurrency ‘not protected by law’

The ruling by Shandong’s High Court backs up China’s official stance against trading in cryptocurrencies. What does this mean for investors?

Former South Korea presidential advisor sentenced for crypto scam

A South Korean professor, formerly a committee member in current president Moon Jae-in’s presidential campaign, has been sentenced to two years in prison for promoting a scam cryptocurrency. Fast facts According to local reports, the professor and former advisor to Moon Jae-in’s 2017 electoral campaign was sentenced to two years in jail on fraud charges […]

CryptoPunk NFTs smash records as VISA purchases a CryptoPunk for US$150K

CryptoPunks sales volume increased by over 1,100% in the last 24 hours

Why institutional investors cannot afford to ignore DeFi

Much of traditional finance still believes DeFi is too risky and not worth the bother, writes Ilia Maksimenka of PlasmaFinance. Are these perceptions accurate?

Bitcoin miners may soon face tougher digging

As the crypto hashrate continues to recover, miners will likely have to work harder for their coins.

Ripple: SEC ex-chief Hinman’s views on XRP are ‘dubious’

Ripple also challenges SEC’s use of ‘deliberative process privilege’ to prevent agency documents on Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP from disclosure.

Futures exchange pays e-CNY for warehousing fees

Dalian Commodity Exchange paid storage fees to a delivery warehouse in the form of e-CNY, the first time applying central bank digital currency (CBDC) in futures trading. Fast facts According to the report, Dalian Liangyun Group, which received the e-CNY warehousing fees, said that e-CNY transfer has no inter-bank transfer fees, and it would not […]

Iran expected to lift Bitcoin mining ban next month

Iran, which imposed a temporary ban on Bitcoin mining a few months ago, is expected to lift the prohibition next month, according to local media reports. Fast facts The Iran Power Generation, Distribution and Transmission Company told the state-run ISNA that the ban will be lifted on Sept. 22, local English media Financial Tribune reported. […]

Philippines wants to tax Axie Infinity and players’ earnings

With play-to-earn crypto games like Axie Infinity continuing to attract users, tax authorities in the Philippines are looking into taxing such blockchain-based game companies as well as the income earned by users on such platforms, according to a report by the Manila Bulletin. Fast facts Philippines’ finance undersecretary Antonette C. Tionko said earnings from these […]

USDC to be 100% backed by cash, US Treasuries

Circle, issuer of the world’s second-largest stablecoin USDC, has announced plans to be 100% backed by cash and short-term U.S. Treasuries by September. The company’s most recent attestation showed USDC’s US$22.2 billion supply was backed by only 61% “cash and cash equivalents.” Fast facts Circle had indicated earlier in the month that it wishes to […]

El Salvador rolls out 200 Bitcoin ATMs ahead of nationwide adoption

In preparation for El Salvador adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, the nation is rolling out 200 ATMs and preparing 50 bank branches across the nation to allow residents to exchange crypto for fiat easily, President Nayib Bukele has announced over the weekend via Twitter. Fast facts With El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption bill coming into effect […]

Solana sees investment inflows of $7M, largest of any digital asset: CoinShares

After six consecutive weeks of outflows, institutional sentiment for digital assets is turning, with net inflows of US$21 million last week, according to CoinShares, Europe’s largest digital assets fund manager. Fast facts Total assets under management (AUM) across all digital asset fund providers rose to US$57.3 billion, the highest since mid-May, driven by the recent […]

Upbit submits compliance report: China’s e-CNY trials broaden

Upbit submits compliance report: China’s e-CNY trials broaden

Digital yuan trials now looking like a ‘soft launch’ stage

China’s high penetration of smartphones, digital-savvy population helps reduce e-CNY testing time, observers say

Bitcoin price above $50K, Cardano and Solana at all-time highs as crypto market surges

Led by Ethereum rivals, crypto prices are in an upswing with over $2.1 trillion in total market cap. Is this the start of another crypto bull run?

Survey predicts crypto will rival or replace fiat within 10 years

Cryptocurrency and other digital assets are expected to rival or displace fiat currencies within the next decade, according to Deloitte’s 2021 Global Blockchain Survey. Fast facts More than three quarters of the 1,280 executives and practitioners surveyed by Deloitte, the global consulting, tax services and auditing firm, think that digital assets “will serve as a […]

The9 sets up another joint venture to mine crypto in Kazakhstan

The9 Ltd., a Chinese gaming company that only a few months ago pivoted its business to crypto mining, is setting up another joint venture in Kazakhstan as it ramps up its mining operations in the Central Asian nation that shares a border with China. Fast facts Nasdaq-listed The9 has signed an investment memorandum through a subsidiary […]

Bit Digital reports growing losses as it moves crypto miners from China to North America

Bit Digital, a New York-headquartered Bitcoin mining company that has had significant operations in China, recorded growing losses in the second quarter of this year as it continued relocating its China-based machines to North America. Fast facts In the second quarter of this year, Nasdaq-listed Bit Digital booked a net loss of US$1.34 million, compared […]

Liquid crypto exchange hackers use ETH mixer to evade detection

The hunt for hackers who stole an estimated US$97 million from the Japanese crypto exchange Liquid last week has hit some snags as the cybercriminals have been actively hiding their tracks with a crypto mixing tool as they move to transfer their loot into other wallets. Fast facts According to public blockchain information on Etherscan, […]

Binance taps former SGX chief regulatory officer as Singapore CEO

Binance Singapore today announced the appointment of Richard Teng, former chief regulatory officer of the Singapore Exchange (SGX), as chief executive, bolstering its leadership ranks with former regulators while battling growing regulatory woes around the world. Fast facts Teng was CEO of the Abu Dhabi Global Market for six years before stepping down in March. […]

Why an open metaverse economy might be coming soon

The ideal metaverse is open and interoperable, says Jamie Burke of Outlier Ventures. Here’s how blockchain gaming and NFTs are closing in on that future.