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Dfinity to unveil challenger to Ethereum, cloud services

Cryptocurrency startup Dfinity is set to unveil an “internet computer,” which it says can provide a faster, cheaper alternative to Ethereum and can rival Amazon Web Services and other cloud computing companies, according to a report by the Financial Times. The company’s self-described internet computer is a group of technologies designed to support next-generation decentralized […]

Barking at the moon: SpaceX lunar launch to be funded by Dogecoin

Canadian manufacturing and logistics firm Geometric Energy Corporation has announced that its Doge-1 Mission to the Moon — the first commercial lunar payload in history — will be paid for in its entirety with the meme-inspired cryptocurrency Dogecoin. The moonshot will involve a collaboration between Geometric Space Corporation mission management and SpaceX that will carry […]

New Asian investment portfolio offers exposure to Canada’s Bitcoin ETFs

Aqumon’s SmartGlobalC aims to meet the rapidly growing demand for Bitcoin exposure for traditional investment portfolios in Asia.

Philippine bank, fintech XLOG to offer blockchain-based logistics financing

Union Bank’s financial supply chain platform to be integrated with XLOG’s logistics platform. Union Bank of the Philippines and fintech firm XLOG have teamed up to offer the Philippines’ first blockchain-powered supply chain financing solution embedded in a logistics platform. “We are firm believers in how blockchain technology can bridge gaps in different industries. We […]

Crypto gets AI treatment as BlockBank rolls out robots

Financial artificial intelligence firm seeks to use technology to mitigate risks in complex, volatile trading environment. BlockBank, which develops artificial intelligence for both decentralized and traditional, centralized finance, is using its technology to bring AI-enabled analytics and risk management practices to the crypto space. The company is working to offer a built-in fiat currency gateway […]

BCH gets the nod from Japan; Digital yuan travels to the countryside | The Daily Forkast

While Bitcoin Cash surges, we visit a Japanese coffee shop owner who just started accepting BCH as payment.

Ripple’s XRP sales increased over 90% in 1Q 2021

XRP sales by Ripple accounted for 0.07% of global XRP volume. Ripple says its sales were to support on-demand liquidity customers.

Citi mulls crypto services launch as clients embrace Bitcoin

Currency-trading giant says crypto trading, custody and financing all under consideration amid growing demand from asset managers, hedge funds. Citigroup is considering launching cryptocurrency services following a surge in interest in digital currencies among its clients, according to a report by the Financial Times. The report cited Citi’s global head of foreign exchange, Itay Tuchman, […]

How R3 is growing Corda’s reach with China’s Blockchain Services Network

R3’s Corda — one of the most widely used blockchains of Corporate America — is coming to China. What does it mean for the US and Europe?

High-end Miami condos to be city’s first flats with crypto price tag

Developer of Arte by Antonio Citterio partners with blockchain platform to allow buyers to pay with cryptocurrency. Sapir Corp, the developer of the Surfside district condominium, has teamed up with blockchain and securities trading platform SolidBlock to allow buyers of the luxury residences to purchase them using cryptocurrency. The partnership between Sapir Corp and SolidBlock […]

Tajikistan teams up with Fantom for e-government blockchain launch

Central Asian nation follows Pakistan and Afghanistan with blockchain-powered digitization initiative. Tajikistan is partnering with the Fantom Foundation to develop e-government infrastructure using Fantom’s blockchain-based IT products. Under the deal, the Ministry of Industry of New Technologies will provide Fantom with access to its data flows and documentation to develop a customized customer relationship management/management […]

Indian crypto plan moots rules to harness growth potential

Startup association presents recommendations for regulatory framework as it pushes boost for business instead of blanket ban. IndiaTech.org, an industry association representing startup founders and investors, has called for the registration of homegrown, locally registered cryptocurrency exchanges in a five-point policy framework aimed at crypto regulation. It proposes that cryptocurrencies should be given the status […]

Bitcoin vs. Bitcoin Cash: Everything an investor needs to know

With Bitcoin Cash prices rising in advance of its May 15 network upgrade, investors want to know: What’s the difference between Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin?

Chia mining craze is causing massive hard drive shortages in China

The new self-proclaimed eco-friendly crypto leverages unused disk space — but Chia miners are buying out new hard drives and equipment instead.

Court orders SEC to give Ripple internal documents on XRP, Bitcoin, Ether

Ripple scores another in legal wrangling over SEC lawsuit as SEC now must disclose its confidential internal communications over XRP, Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Kraken crypto investors in spotlight as US court approves IRS probe

Win for tax enforcer as California federal court gives it green light to seek information on Kraken exchange cryptocurrency deals. The U.S District Court for the Northern District of California has given the Internal Revenue Service approval to issue a “John Doe” summons seeking information on customers of San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange Kraken. A John […]

Uniswap v3 volume surges despite users’ cost gripes

New iteration outperforms predecessor amid concerns over costs, complexity. Uniswap founder Hayden Adams has declared Uniswap’s v3 launch day a greater success by volume than that of its v2 iteration, despite a slew of complaints from users about its costs. Adams wrote in a tweet dated May 7 that during its first 24 hours live, […]

Open DeFi launches DAO: ‘Multi-chain DeFi is here to stay’

Since its launch by Conflux Network, a Shanghai-endorsed public chain, the East-West alliance has added over 30 members. Open DeFi now forms a DAO.

Seoul crypto exchange raided over alleged multimillion-dollar fraud

More than $200 million of assets seized from firm identified as VGlobal. South Korean police have raided a Seoul-based cryptocurrency exchange over an alleged multi-level marketing fraud. The exchange, identified as VGlobal, according to a report by Bitcoin.com, stands accused of stealing millions of dollars from investors. According to the Yonhap news agency, police raided […]

“Everyone has been bitten by the Chia bug”; Indian banks puzzle crypto | The Daily Forkast

The Chia craze keeps on going while the Indian crypto industry speaks out against banks blocking crypto transactions.

Polkadot, Kusama parachain anticipation builds amid uncertainty over launch date

Appetite for auction remains robust despite delays, pressure on Polkadot token. Since the Polkadot mainnet launch in 2020, the planned launch of the network’s eponymous and Kusama parachains has generated much eager anticipation. Yet delays to the auction of slots that have put pressure on Polkadot’s native token appear not to have dampened enthusiasm for […]

Indian payments authority leaves banks to weigh crypto-trading bans

National Payments Corporation of India refuses to ban cryptocurrency trading, putting decision on whether to block trades in hands of lenders. India’s national payments authority has handed banks the responsibility for deciding whether or not to ban cryptocurrency trading. The National Payments Corporation of India has advised lenders across the country to impose bans on […]

Report: 1.7 million DeFi users now on Ethereum, 50% more since Jan. 1

ConsenSys Codefi’s Q1 report on decentralized finance (DeFi) trends also saw 7x growth in stablecoins and predicts flashbots dominating the Ethereum network.

How fractionalized NFTs could be the next frontier of investing

Where is the NFT market headed, and has the bubble burst? Consider a world where any asset could be tokenized and sold fractionally to investors.

NYDG-FIS partnership allows lenders to offer Bitcoin banking

Tie-up between Bitcoin trading platform and fintech firm will allow bank customers to use the cryptocurrency in their accounts. NYDIG, the Bitcoin subsidiary of alternative asset manager Stone Ridge, and fintech heavyweight FIS have joined forces in an industry-first partnership that will allow banks to offer customers the ability to buy, sell and hold Bitcoin […]

New York Giants ink partnership deal with Grayscale

Football team adds world’s biggest crypto asset manager to roster of corporate sponsors as sector firms make inroads into sports. The New York Giants have announced an exclusive partnership agreement with digital currency asset manager Grayscale Investments, which had $46.6 billion of assets under management as of April 30. The arrangement, a first in the […]

South Korea to impose 20% capital gains tax on crypto in 2022

South Korea’s finance department on Wednesday announced a new rule imposing a 20% capital gains tax on cryptocurrency transaction gains starting in 2022. However, cryptocurrency investors are entitled to a tax deduction for expenses incurred during mining. The country’s Ministry of Economy and Finance explained cryptocurrency transaction gains exceeding 2.5 million won (about US$2,230) would […]

Crypto demand grows in Australia as rich families seek investment edge

Institutional interest propels cryptocurrencies into mainstream for wealthy investors looking to diversify portfolios. High net worth Australians are committing increasing sums in cryptocurrencies as digital assets move from the fringes of investment markets and become steadily more mainstream. Leigh Travers, executive director of technology investment firm DigitalX, says he has observed a growing trend toward […]

Nokia unveils blockchain-enabled marketplace for monetizing data exchange, analysis

Finland-based mobile phone manufacturer Nokia unveiled its blockchain-enabled Nokia Data Marketplace on Wednesday, said to offer monetized data exchange and analysis capabilities. In a statement, the company said the service would allow its partners from various industries to collaborate via private blockchain, leveraging AI and automated mechanisms in real time to address rapidly growing data […]

Ethereum and Dogecoin prices skyrocket. Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto talent search. Mastercard wants in on CBDCs.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: S&P Dow Jones launches Bitcoin and Ethereum indices. Will China crack down on more crypto miners?

Dogecoin keeps on barking; Mining for Chia heats up | The Daily Forkast

Dogecoin breaks another ATH while Chinese electronics vendors say that Chia is the hottest mining project in the mainland.

Indian banks, payment gateways reportedly blocking crypto transactions

India’s cryptocurrency exchanges are calling on local banks not to block their transactions. Cryptocurrency exchanges in Mumbai are reportedly struggling with payment gateways and banks, which they accuse of blocking their transactions by citing an old Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policy to ban digital currency dealings. They claim the policy had been struck down […]

How Uniswap V3 and smartBCH seek to streamline DeFi, save on gas

The days of ‘DeFi’ being an insider buzzword are over. But gas fees remain high and the road bumpy. Will Uniswap V3 and smartBCH change anything?

Boxer Tyson Fury teams up with HoDooi to sell NFTs

‘Gypsy King’ looks to blockchain-powered marketplace to tap demand for celebrity collectibles Two-time world heavyweight champion boxer Tyson Fury is partnering with HoDooi.com to launch his brand as a collectible in the non-fungible token market. HoDooi.com was founded by Matt Luczynski, who is also the co-founder of the blockchain travel business Travala.com. Commenting on the […]

Dogecoin price jumps to new ATH with Gemini support for DOGE

Dogecoin’s price is now at an all-time high of 69 cents, and the joke crypto is now bigger than Ford and Nintendo. Are DOGE investors high on Gemini?

5 US digital dollar pilots launching to chase China’s CBDC lead

The private sector-led Digital Dollar Project is planning CBDC pilots for the US. How are central bank digital currency efforts and progress different in Asia?

INX completes $125M SEC- approved token IPO

The cryptocurrency exchange INX has completed the first-ever security token offering registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The initial public offering (IPO) closed with $85 million in proceeds from over 7,200 investors. In addition to the previous private token sales and the cash in private placement equity, INX has raised a total of […]

Over 800 limited edition Star Wars collectibles in NFTs

Do you want to own a piece of Hollywood history? More than 800 limited edition collectibles from one of the most storied movie franchises in history are now up for auction in the Starcoll NFT marketplace beginning Tuesday (May 4), Starcoll announced on its website. “Over 800+ limited edition Star Wars collectible will be released […]

Spanish health care group Biziondo to accept Bitcoin payments

Biziondo, a Spanish medical group specializing in spinal health, announced plans to accept cryptocurrency payments, citing the start of the “Bitcoin revolution.” “It is clear that the Bitcoin revolution has already started in an economic context in which, in 2020, 60% of the world’s money was printed by European, United States, and Japanese central banks. […]

NFTs shake up Asian art scene

From Manila to Beijing, the Asian art universe is changing as non-fungible tokens gain traction as assets. In Manila, friends and NFT collectors Gabby Dizon and Colin Goltra opened Narra Art Gallery early this year to provide the cryptocurrency community with a venue in which they could shop for digital art. The virtual gallery offers […]

Binance Coin market cap hits new ATH, surpasses $100B

Binance Coin, or BNB, has set another record after posting a new all-time high above $660. The altcoin’s market cap first crossed the $50 billion benchmark in the first few days of April. However, the market cap jumped more than 100% in less than a month. As of this writing, BNB is trading around $661, […]

Digital dollar: Binance CEO warns of CBDC drawbacks

Changpeng Zhao, Binance CEO, has cautioned on the challenges that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin could face upon the launch of the digital dollar. He made these comments during an interview. Zhao explained that the central bank digital currency (CBDC) would lack properties like “freedom of use” and “limited supply” that make cryptocurrencies unique. He added that […]

DCG to buy $750M in GBTC

Digital Currency Group, the parent company of the digital asset manager Grayscale, has decided to up its purchase of Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) by $500 million. The firm plans to purchase $750 million worth of GBTC shares instead of the initial $250 million. The GBTC has been trading at a premium for some months for […]

Mastercard survey: growing number of consumers eye crypto for shopping

A survey by credit card provider Mastercard shows that a growing number of consumers prefer using cryptocurrency when making their purchases. Mastercard’s New Payments Index polled more than 15,000 online respondents from North America, Latin America, the Asia Pacific region, The Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. The study shows 40% of those polled plan […]

Former US Treasurer joins Ripple board, Kristina Campbell is new CFO

U.S.-based payments solutions provider Ripple announced two key appointments on Monday, with former U.S. Treasurer Rosa “Rosie” Gumataotao Rios joining its board of directors and Kristina Campbell joining the firm as its new chief financial officer. Ripple chief executive officer Brad Garlinghouse said on the company’s official website, “These two exceptional leaders join Ripple at […]

Spanish healthcare group Biziondo to accept Bitcoin payments

Spanish spinal care specialist Biziondo says it will start accepting cryptocurrency payments, citing the “Bitcoin revolution.”

South Korean banks set to serve crypto; Chia drives SSD shortage | The Daily Forkast

South Korea’s Kookmin bank sets up an KODA — an OTC and custody service for institutional investors. Chia is the latest mining craze.

China’s banks unveil ATM for foreigners to use digital yuan

China’s DCEP digital currency, not yet officially launched, take another leap forward with unveiling of prototype ATMs that convert foreign money to e-CNY.

SEC tries to block XRP holders from joining SEC v. Ripple lawsuit

In new court filings, the SEC says allowing XRP holders’ to join SEC v. Ripple lawsuit as third-party defendant would cause delays and ‘sow chaos.’

Argentina looks to crypto shelter amidst inflation turmoil

Struggling Argentines are looking to cryptocurrency for opportunities to stave off rising prices, a devaluing currency and US dollar shortage.

What could be the ‘greatest inhibitor’ to Dogecoin’s growth?

The NBA Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, has called “Robinhood’s withdrawal policy “the greatest inhibitor” to Dogecoin’s growth. The billionaire tweeted recently that businesses will start embracing Dogecoin because many people use it for transactions. According to Cuban, since people can’t spend DOGE on Robinhood, this could be the “greatest indicator to Dogecoin’s growth.” Cuban […]

Intel and Microsoft form partnership to combat cryptojacking attacks

Microsoft has partnered with Intel to roll out a threat detection feature to protect endpoints from cryptojacking malware. The new feature extends Intel’s Threat Detection Technology (TDT) function on Microsoft Defender to flag suspicious activities. It also mitigates the threats before they occur on the computer. The boom of cryptocurrencies has brought about new threats […]

German regulators could fine Binance heavily

According to a report, Binance could face investigation from European regulators over the issued stock tokens. The largest crypto exchange issued its first tokenized stock early this month, starting with Tesla stocks. The U.K Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) had revealed last week that it is working to understand the product to know whether Binance has […]

Crypto mining farms under investigation in Beijing

Bitcoin’s energy consumption has been a critical issue among experts, governments, and industry players. Reuters reported that Beijing officials are investigating crypto mining establishments to determine how much energy they consume. On April 27, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information has ordered the city’s data centers to report the amount of power consumed […]

Report: Miners hold on to their Bitcoin much tighter than in January

The on-chain data analytics firm Glassnode reported that miners have continued accumulating Bitcoin. According to the tweet, Bitcoin miners had lowered their spending compared to early January when outflow was high. Bitcoin outflow by miners has dropped to the lowest level in four months and currently sits around 49.9 BTC per day. Miners accumulation has […]

‘We should have bought Bitcoin, not gold’ — BNY Mellon fund

In its SEC filings, the asset management firm BNY Mellon revealed that the poor performance of its exchange-traded fund (ETF) was due to its non-exposure to assets invested in Bitcoin. The bank noted that its BNY Mellon Opportunistic Small Cap Fund (DSCVX) performance was partly because it had no exposure to MicroStrategy. MicroStrategy bought its […]

As DeFi swells past US$140 billion, FATF stokes worries over KYC/AML

Fast-growing DeFi — still a largely unregulated industry — gives FATF an earful over its proposed ‘travel rule’ and expanded anti-money laundering rules.

FinTech group: ‘digital footprints’ could help underbanked Philippines

Filipino-owned assets management company SAM Digital Technologies says adoption of blockchain could promote ‘digital footprints’ in the island nation. The country’s central bank is also interested in the technology.

Dogecoin price flies to moon on eToro listing and Elon Musk for rocket fuel

DOGE fans push Dogecoin price to all-time high (ATH) after eToro lists the joke coin for 20 million users, days before ‘Dogefather’ Musk appears on SNL.

Thailand tightens grip on cryptocurrency, increases KYC requirements

Thailand has issued fresh orders to tighten regulations on new cryptocurrency accounts, requiring customers to appear in person.

Ethereum breaks new records; South Korea split on crypto tax | The Daily Forkast

As Ethereum continues to soar to new all-time highs, South Korean crypto investors express mix sentiments on crypto tax.

XRP prices steady after court hearing, Ripple releases $1.6 billion XRP

XRP is up 600% since the start of the year and its holding steady as Ripple released one billion XRP over the weekend.

Ethereum prices soar over $3,200, making Vitalik Buterin a billionaire

As ETH prices hit a new ATH and continue to the moon, Ethereum’s visionary creator Vitalik Buterin becomes the youngest ever crypto billionaire.

Vietnam faces hard drive shortage due to Chia mining craze in China

Large capacity hard drives are selling like hotcakes in Vietnam as locals capitalize on China’s demand for Chia mining power.

Singapore’s US$31 million RegTech grant to boost crypto compliance

The RegTech grant, although not directed towards cryptocurrency, could have a profound impact on the industry.

Why Binance stock tokens are drawing regulatory scrutiny

Are Binance stock tokens in Tesla, Coinbase and Apple mere tokens or company shares by a different name? Securities regulators are taking a close look.

Turkey’s Thodex exchange fraud case yields six new suspects

Turkish authorities arrested six individuals in connection with the Thodex exchange fraud case.

Binance Charity Fund donates to India’s COVID-19 fight

The charity arm of Binance is sending 175 oxygen connectors to India to aid in the coronavirus relief effort.

Singapore’s DBS Bank reports US$60 million crypto under custody

DBS Bank says it has over US$60 million in crypto under custody and plans to expand trading hours to 24/7.

DBS digital asset exchange performance; Cardano connects Africa online | The Daily Forkast

120 investors join DBS bank’s digital assets exchange in Q1 as Cardano looks to enable Sub-Saharan Africa with decentralized identities

Why more big investors are now seeking interest and yields in DeFi

As corporations plow billions into Bitcoin, a new business model involving decentralized finance is emerging for investors, says Alessio Quaglini of Hex Trust.

How open DeFi markets in Southeast Asia can drive financial inclusion

The ASEAN region has 290 million unbanked, and only 18% have access to credit. Here’s how decentralized finance (DeFi) can lift lives via mobile phones.