What are smart contracts and what are they used for?
In this Forkast.News explainer, learn why blockchains with smart contract capability are surging in popularity and the new darlings of investors.
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Iran closes down more unauthorized crypto mining farms: reports
Iran, which imposed a temporary ban on Bitcoin mining a few months ago, continues to crack down on illegal crypto mining operations, closing down thousands of unauthorized mining facilities, according to local media reports. Fast facts The Iran Power Generation, Distribution and Transmission Company, also known as Tavanir, told the state-run ISNA that it had…
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Mastercard acquires crypto investigation firm to boost security
Payments giant Mastercard announced it is extending its reach into the realm of cryptocurrency with the acquisition of CipherTrace, a blockchain analytics startup, for “greater security, transparency and trust to digital assets across the ecosystem.” Fast facts CipherTrace, which calls itself the world’s first blockchain forensics team, provides cryptocurrency tracking and investigation services. It launched an…
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Cardano set for Alonzo launch, smart contracts and NFTs to come
Cardano’s Alonzo hard fork will bring smart contracts and NFT support to the world’s third-largest blockchain. What will it mean for the crypto market?
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Australian banks defend decision to shun business with crypto providers
Two of Australia’s “Big Four” banks — National Australia Bank and Westpac — have hit back at criticism they are suppressing competition by refusing to do business with cryptocurrency providers in the country, according to a report. Fast facts While neither of the banks have formal policies excluding crypto businesses, NAB chief executive Ross McEwan…
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‘Pororo the Little Penguin’ NFTs and metaverse theme park underway
The Sandbox, Animoca Brand’s subsidiary for decentralized virtual gaming, announces partnership with animation studio in Korea.
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Crypto mining rig giant Bitmain to supply 56K miners to U.S. partners
China-based Bitmain, one of the world’s biggest producers of cryptocurrency mining rigs, has sealed a deal with its United States partners — ISW Holdings and Bit5ive — to expand its operation in America. Fast facts ISW Holdings, a Nevada-based portfolio company with extensive crypto mining operations, will host 56,000 Bitmain mining rigs and pair them…
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SEC pushes back on Ripple’s legal questions over XRP
Ripple wants to know how SEC regards Bitcoin, Ether and XRP, but SEC says Ripple is repeating the same questions as ‘they do not like the answers they received.’
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Former Hong Kong news site issues NFTs to preserve history
Initium Media, also known as 端傳媒, is turning to blockchain technology to grow revenue and to ensure controversial news does not get forgotten — or tampered with.
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Markets shed 10-15%; experts say not to worry
Despite significant losses across the board, industry experts are not too concerned, seeing the plunge as normal market behavior.