UBS allows crypto ETFs for Hong Kong investors with at least US$2 mln assets
Three SFC-authorized crypto ETFs will be available on UBS’ Hong Kong platform.
ICBC forced to trade with USB drive due to ransomware attack
ICBC was disconnected from its trading partners after a cyberattack.
Blackrock files for Ether ETF: ETH tops US$2,100
BlackRock’s Ether ETF filing comes as the U.S. SEC entered an eight-day window to potentially approve pending Bitcoin ETF applications.
Ether breaches US$2,000 as BlackRock registers iShares Ethereum Trust entity
Ether rose to an over six-month high of US$2,045.
Taiwan identifies new suspects in alleged JPEX fraud case: report
Prosecutors have reportedly identified new suspects after searching nine locations related to JPEX.
Grassroots crypto adoption to follow real-world use cases, says Chainalysis APAC policy lead
Blockchain-based gaming and remittances among top drivers toward adoption in central and South Asia.
Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures, SBI Holdings launch crypto investment firm in UAE
The move is part of SC Ventures’ expansion into the United Arab Emirates.
NFTs are mainstream again?
The Simpsons dedicates its annual Halloween special to NFTs, as data signals continued uptrend in the NFT market.
Is Hong Kong really in the forefront of the global digital money race?
Hong Kong is charging ahead in its digital currency initiatives, but more must be done to address the e-HKD’s environmental impact and security concerns.
XRP approved by Dubai’s Financial Services Authority
The XRP token now stands to benefit from legal and regulatory clarity in the DIFC, according to the announcement.
Nomura-backed Komainu partners Crypto Garage for institutional crypto services
The collaboration aims to build institutional crypto services in Japan.
NFT’s October treat
October sees NFT resurgence with US$300 million in sales despite negative trade profits; SoFi platforms face challenges amid financial scrutiny.
Taiwan introduces crypto regulation proposal
Taiwan’s new bill mandates crypto platform permits, addressing self-regulation gaps.
NFTs dressing up as a bull?
Amid Bitcoin’s ‘Uptober’ surge and Friend.tech’s security concerns, traders pivot back to NFTs, spurred by Blur’s rewards end date and potential Bitcoin ETF approvals.
Dark Side of the $MOON: What the collapse of Reddit Community Points teaches us about Web3 tokenomics
To quell the uproar over the imminent death of a popular rewards program, Reddit is blaming ‘scalability’ and regulatory woes. But the real culprit is Reddit itself for failing to make its tokens sustainable, writes Fabio Galbi, CEO of VSC.
China’s central bank to ‘resolutely curb’ crypto speculation; Hong Kong updates regulations
PBOC to crack down on crypto speculation, as Hong Kong restricts access to certain “complex” virtual asset products.
Is TradFi’s entry into DeFi a turning point or a sign of greater battles ahead?
The pillars of Wall Street are muscling their way into crypto and decentralized finance. Who stands to benefit the most?
Dubai’s crypto boom, Australia’s rules & Binance’s battles
Web3 leaders gather in the Future Blockchain Summit in Dubai and we take a deep dive on the woes of crypto’s largest exchange, Binance.
SEC drops all charges against Ripple’s CEO Garlinghouse and co-founder Larsen
The XRP token rose over 6% on the day after the SEC dismissed the charges against Ripple’s top executives.
Gemini, Genesis, DCG sued by New York Attorney General
The lawsuit alleges that the companies defrauded over 230,000 investors.
Wallet Wars’ raW Pass NFTs sells out in 5 minutes
Wallet Wars, a Space Invaders-inspired game with a Web3 twist: upgradeable NFT spaceships.”
Coinbase taps Ireland as European hub ahead of MiCA regime
Coinbase said that the regulatory clarity MiCA provides to the industry is “hugely welcome.”
Binance’s rollercoaster week: expansion, setbacks, and the ghost of FTX’s collapse
Top blockchain and crypto news: Is Japan a new frontier for Binance? AI art sweeps NFT sales. ETF buzz electrifies Bitcoin.
OFAC sanctions Gaza-based crypto exchange allegedly linked to Hamas
The U.S. takes action against 10 Hamas-linked entities, including Gaza-based money transfer business and crypto exchange Buy Cash.
UK emerges as world’s third-largest economy in terms of crypto transaction volume: Chainalysis
The U.K. is also listed as the 14th economy on Chainalysis’ Global Crypto Adoption Index.
Over 40% of Hong Kong investors shun digital assets post-JPEX Scandal, survey reveals
The survey aimed to measure the public attitude towards virtual asset investments, following the JPEX incident.
Traders split from Blur for fractionalized NFTs
As the NFT tide shifts, traders seek new horizons. While Blur and OpenSea grapple with change, SoFi and fractionalized assets emerge as the next big wave.
Binance freezes over 100 accounts on Israeli police request: Financial Times
Israeli police requested information on 200 additional crypto accounts.
Binance.US suspends USD withdrawals
Users can still withdraw cryptocurrencies, according to the exchange’s updated terms of use.
XRP support for Roblox “inaccurate”: Decrypt
Correction: This article originally stated that the XRP cryptocurrency is available for in-game payments in Roblox and Smite through the payment processor BitPay. Roblox has denied the report and BitPay has since deleted its announcement on X. Roblox, a popular online game with an average of 65.5 million daily active users, has denied claims that […]
Binance Japan — death knell or savior for the nation’s smaller crypto exchanges?
Few tokens and too many exchanges are a bad recipe for Japan’s smaller crypto trading houses. The experts say there’s room for up to five only. So what happens to the little guy now that the world’s largest exchange Binance has rolled back into town?
OSL exchange’s HK$1 billion sale is “factually inaccurate,” says BC Technology
OSL’s parent firm said investors should exercise caution due to the “unusual movement” in the company’s stock price.
Binance halts new user registration in the U.K.
The exchange added that it will also stop releasing new products and services in the country.
Tether freezes 32 addresses related to terrorism in Israel and Ukraine
Tether says it froze US$873,000 in USDT linked to terror activities in Israel and Ukraine. CEO Ardoino stresses crypto’s traceability.
Solana Foundation partners with DMCC Dubai
The SOL token rose over 5% in the 24-hour after the partnership was announced.
Binance: One year on from FTX’s downfall
Inside the world’s largest crypto exchange’s annus horribilis.
Ferrari starts accepting crypto payments in the US
The luxury car maker said it started accepting crypto payments due to popular demand from its crypto investor customers.
Upbit Singapore receives in-principal license from MAS
Singapore’s major payment institution license will enable Upbit to continue offering regulated digital asset services while awaiting its full license.
Australian Treasury to release crypto draft legislation by 2024
The Australian Department of the Treasury said it will accept feedback on the draft bill by December.
Digital frontiers: Alex Tapscott on Web3, AI, and banking’s new dance
From tech monopolies to the synergy of AI and blockchain, Alex Tapscott, author of “Web3: Charting the Internet’s Next Economic and Cultural Frontier,” dissects the trajectories of the digital landscape.
Tether appoints Paolo Ardoino as new CEO
Ardoino takes Tether’s helm after serving as the USDT stablecoin issuer’s chief technical officer since 2017.
Russian hackers may be behind FTX hack: Elliptic
The research firm said that on-chain data point toward Russian hackers, instead of the previously-suspected North Korean Lazarus Group.
Israel-Palestine crisis: Navigating the intersection of conflict, aid and blockchain
Top blockchain and crypto news: Gaza tensions, digital tremors, NFTs are not dancing in September, Joe Lubin talks traditional system’s twilight.
ESMA says DeFi can bring greater financial inclusion, but warns of volatility risks
The regulator said that DeFi doesn’t pose a risk to financial stability, due to its small size, but said it needs to be monitored in the future.
NFTs are here to stay — just not as we once knew them
Once driven by speculation and vanity car plate-like profile images, NFTs are now becoming more useful — with value that is not captured by market prices.
Bitmain reportedly suspended employee salaries from September
Bitmain, one of the world’s largest Bitcoin application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) manufacturers, has suspended employee salary payments from September, according to a Tuesday report by China-based tech news outlet Leiphone. See related article: Hamas crypto donation accounts frozen by Israel police Fast Facts See related article: CMCC Global raises US$100 mln to launch Hong Kong […]
Blockchain’s 2 billionth user could be an AI, says Joe Lubin
The CEO of blockchain services provider Consensys and co-founder of Ethereum spoke to Forkast at the Token 2049 crypto conference in Singapore. He discussed decentralization and what he sees as the crucial role to be played by blockchain in AI and vice-versa.
Israel crypto firms launch emergency crypto fund
Crypto Aid Israel, a fund aiding war-impacted citizens, uses a multi-signature wallet for Bitcoin, Ether, and stablecoins donations.
Crypto investment products record highest inflows since July: CoinShares
Inflows in cryptocurrency investment products reached US$78 million last week, the highest volume since July, according to crypto asset manager CoinShares. See related article: Alameda had a US$65 bln line of credit, says FTX co-founder Gary Wang Fast Facts See related article: DOJ seeks to block Bankman-Fried from bringing up Anthropic fundraise in court
Can Asia’s progressive regulators tame crypto’s Wild West?
The Web3 sun is shining in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, where forward-thinking regulations are fostering crypto’s growth while boosting investor protections.
ESMA publishes second MiCA consultation paper
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is seeking feedback on the second consultation paper on the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) bill, published on Thursday. See related article: Binance ICO raised less than US$5 mln: Forbes Fast Facts See related article: What Europe’s new spot Bitcoin ETF means for global markets
Crypto trust on trial: Bankman-Fried faces judgment
Top blockchain and crypto news: Spotlight on Bankman-Fried, Pudgy Penguins’ new revenue stream and Google’s Web3 goggles
CMCC Global raises US$100 mln to launch Hong Kong Web3 fund
CMCC Global, a Hong Kong-based blockchain-focused venture capital fund, announced Wednesday that it raised US$100 million to launch the “Titan Fund.” See related article: SFC to monitor illegal VATP activities with Hong Kong Police Force Fast Facts See related article: Valkyrie CIO expects US spot Bitcoin ETF approval in Q2 2024 (Update adds comment from […]
XRP up over 4% after judge denies SEC’s interlocutory motion
The XRP token rose 4.42% after a federal judge denied the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) motion to overturn its recent loss against Ripple Labs. XRP traded at US$0.5308 at 2:45 p.m. in Hong Kong on Tuesday, according to CoinMarketCap data. See related article: HK’s SFC & US SEC crack the whip as Blockchain […]
Uptober in crypto, Floptober in NFTs
October’s ghouls and ghosts seem to spook NFT markets too. While Bitcoin shines bright every autumn, NFT traders brace for a ‘floptober’ dip.
Silver Lining? Google Cloud’s head of Web3 talks Big Tech possibilities for the blockchain
At the Token 2049 crypto conference in Singapore held Sept. 13 to 14, Google Cloud’s James Tromans spoke to Forkast about a possible marriage between Webs 2 and 3.
Bitwise to launch two Ethereum Futures ETFs
Bitwise Asset Management, a U.S.-based cryptocurrency index fund, announced that its two Ethereum futures exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF (AETH) and the Bitwise Bitcoin and Ether Equal Weight Strategy ETF (BTOP), will start trading on Monday, Oct. 2. See related article: Valkyrie CIO expects US spot Bitcoin ETF approval in Q2 2024 […]
Coinbase obtains Singapore’s Major Payment Institutions license
The Major Payment Institution license from Singapore’s central bank allows the exchange to expand its digital payment token services in the Lion City.
Why regulated decentralized exchanges are the wave of crypto trading’s future
Bringing together the best parts of centralized and decentralized exchanges, RDEXs also take into account the inevitability of regulations.
Back from the dead: Can FTX stage a comeback?
The prospect of FTX’s return to the competitive exchange landscape is being keenly watched by stakeholders, reflecting on its meteoric rise, groundbreaking approach, and tumultuous fall.
Quantum computing is coming out of the shadows. Web3 should be scared
Quantum computers may one day crack the cryptographic algorithms that underpin everything from Bitcoin to digital IDs. What can be done to secure Web3’s future?
‘There’s no doubt we picked a side here’ — Chainalysis founder Michael Gronager talks analytics, Ukraine and crypto adoption in Asia
In the second in a series of 1-on-1 interviews from the Token 2049 crypto conference in Singapore held Sept. 13-14, Michael Gronager, founder of blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, spoke to Forkast about crypto use in the Ukraine conflict, tracking illicit on-chain activity and digital asset adoption in Asia.
SEC Chair Gensler faces bipartisan backlash over strict crypto regulations
Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. lawmakers berate SEC over ETF applications. NFTs down but not dead. Hong Kong sees year’s biggest crypto heist so far.
Top 10 cryptos mixed, SEC again delays decision on Ark Invest ETF filing
Toncoin led losses among top 10 cryptos. Bitcoin dropped while Ether rose marginally.
NFTs are 94% worthless and also up over 52,000%
Amidst the cycles of blossoming and withering in the NFT marketplace, a significant majority of NFTs find themselves succumbing to worthlessness, leaving the persistent 5% to defy the fleeting trends.
Binance Japan partners with mega bank MUFJ on stablecoin project
Mitsubishi UFJ and Binance Japan will collaborate on the issuance of fiat-pegged stablecoins.
PayPal’s stablecoin is a big step forward for crypto’s legitimacy but not much yet for the cause
PYUSD’s launch is injecting much-needed trust into crypto’s turbulent landscape, but its current form does not come with any of the benefits of real crypto, writes Danny Chong, co-founder of Tranchess.
SEC has lost again. What’s next for digital assets?
With winds in its legal sails, crypto is now poised to evolve into a complete economy with its own financial products and capital markets. The question is when.
AI, Asia and analytics — an interview with Nansen’s Alex Svanevik
Blockchain analytics are key to understanding the nascent crypto industry. But the analysis sector is far from immune from the pressures of the ongoing crypto bear market. In the first of a series of 1-on-1 interviews from the Token2049 conference held in Singapore Sept. 13-14, Alex Svanevik, CEO of blockchain analytics firm Nansen, sat down with Forkast to discuss current crypto challenges, the Asia growth market and the increasing use of artificial intelligence in the industry.
Hong Kong may tighten enforcement amidst JPEX scandal, says former SFC official
The JPEX scandal sheds light on the vulnerabilities in Hong Kong’s crypto marketplace, prompting reflection on regulatory safeguards as the city aspires to be a global digital asset hub, former SFC regulator Angelina Kwan says.
US SEC to tighten regulatory enforcement beyond Coinbase, Binance.US
Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. SEC steps up regulatory enforcement. Gaming giant Zynga moves into NFTs. Woes ahead for JPEX exchange after HK arrests.