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SEC chair Gensler doubts crypto longevity: interview

In an interview by the Washington Post on Tuesday, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler questioned the future of cryptocurrency, saying, “I don’t think there’s a long-term viability for five- or six thousand private forms of money. History tells us otherwise.” He added that “in the meantime, it’s worthwhile to have an investor […]

Evergrande debt woes hit crypto; Mooncakes in the metaverse

Evergrande debt woes hit crypto meanwhile Mooncakes are in the metaverse

Bitcoin miners expected to face tougher digging but demand continues growing

As total hashrate recovers, adjustment would follow four increases after as many declines since China intensified crypto mining clampdown.

How crypto enthusiasts in Asia are celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival this year

From crypto-embossed mooncakes to mooncake NFTs to gatherings in the metaverse, how Asia’s crypto fans are celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Evergrande’s uncertainty rocks crypto market

Crypto investors and industry watchers are following closely the potential collapse of Chinese property giant Evergrande.

Upbit becomes South Korea’s first newly registered crypto exchange

Upbit can operate as a virtual monopoly as it becomes the country’s first licensed business to handle cryptocurrencies.

Conflux, Shanghai Maritime partner on offshore RMB stablecoin in free trade zone

A focus of China’s free trade and shipping, Shanghai will explore in pilot project cross border trading with offshore renminbi stablecoin.

Kyrgyzstan cracks down on illegal crypto mining

Kyrgyzstan is cracking down on cryptocurrency mining farms that are using power illegally, local media outlet 24.kg reported Saturday, citing a release from the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan. Fast facts Authorities have spotted over 500 crypto mining farms that were illegally connected to power grids, leading to power shortages, as one set of […]

4 Chinese cities to compete for inclusion in e-CNY pilot programs

Four Chinese cities announced they will compete for inclusion in the next batch of digital renminbi pilot projects. They are Guangzhou, Tianjin, Yiwu and Fuzhou. Fast facts Guangzhou and Tianjin have written their goals into their city’s “14th Five-Year Financial Industry Reform Plan,” and Yiwu’s plan has been reported to the State Council. Guangzhou is […]

Black Friday for Korean exchanges; E-CNY launch in final stretch

Black Friday for Korean exchanges while E-CNY launch in final stretch

Black Friday in South Korea as crypto exchanges announce shutdown

All but four platforms in South Korea obligated to announce the suspension of their services by today.

Crypto exchange Binance wants centralized headquarters amid regulatory heat

Under scrutiny around the world, the largest cryptocurrency exchange wants to do a better job engaging with regulators.

Why Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson says DeFi is ‘up for grabs’

As Cardano’s Alonzo upgrade goes live, founder Charles Hoskinson of IOHK calls DeFi a ‘bubble.’ How does he think the regulation that is sure to come will reshape DeFi in the future?

How quadratic funding promotes projects for the common good

What is quadratic funding, and why is this mathematical method ideal for allocating capital for a community? Pranav Sharma of Woodstock Fund explains.

Logging each step in tea production on a blockchain — from farm to cup

With the ease of counterfeiting products like premium tea, keeping a tamper-proof digital paper trail can record each step along the way.

Canaan reports record revenues; Korea says no to crypto tax delay

Canaan reports record revenues meanwhile Korea says no to crypto tax delay

Canaan sees strongest ever quarterly sales results

Leading Chinese crypto mining hardware manufacturer attributes robust revenue to ‘substantial increase in total computing power sold.’

Solana validators complete restart; Laos ends crypto ban

Solana validators complete restart also Laos ends crypto ban

2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou to sell torch NFTs supported by Alipay

Despite widespread criticism of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that has emerged in Chinese state-owned media, the 2022 Asian Games has announced the sale of its first NFT collection. Fast facts Organizers of the games, set to take place in September 2022 in Hangzhou, the capital city of the eastern province of Zhejiang, announced in a social […]

Laos backpedals on crypto ban, looks to trading, mining pilot program

The government of Laos has authorized six firms to trade and mine cryptocurrencies, ending a ban imposed in 2018, according to a recent notice from the prime minister’s office.  Fast facts Laos had implemented a complete ban on cryptocurrencies three years ago, including on trading and mining activities. As recently as last month, the country’s […]

FTX hit by hack rumor; Korea updates crypto death note

FTX hit by hack rumor meanwhile Korea updates crypto death note

CrossTower says it wants to collaborate, not compete, with Indian exchanges

CrossTower became the second international crypto exchange to enter the Indian market last week after Binance made its entry by acquiring WazirX in 2019.

Searching for Asia’s ‘hidden treasures’ in NFTs and GameFi

Why is Axie Infinity so popular, and what is the potential of play-to-earn gaming? Two venture capitalists share insights on Asia’s special place as GameFi’s hub.

Cardano smart contracts set for Sunday: CrossTower launches in India

Cardano smart contracts set for Sunday also CrossTower launches in India

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 […]

‘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.

Global shipping network’s new blockchain platform for international trade goes live

Hong Kong-based Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN), a nonprofit consortium whose members handle one-third of all the shipping containers in the world, announced yesterday that its new blockchain platform for global trade has officially gone live. The platform, built in partnership with Oracle, Microsoft, AntChain and Alibaba Cloud, aims to accelerate digital transformation in the […]

South Korean exchanges facing closure may seek legal action to halt new regulations

At the risk of losing billions, crypto industry officials weigh options to oppose authorities.

Korea crypto damage assessed; Initium’s news based NFTs sell out

Korea crypto damage assessed meanwhile Initium’s news based NFTs sell out

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 […]

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.

El Salvador wowed the world by adopting Bitcoin as legal tender. Other countries are taking note

Following crypto’s adoption in one struggling economy, nations in Latin America and elsewhere are now weighing the pros and cons of digital currency

Polkadot’s decentralized identity project KILT wins Kusama parachain auction

KILT Protocol, an open-source blockchain protocol for issuing self-sovereign, anonymous and verifiable credentials, has won the sixth Kusama parachain auction and has launched its mainnet, the project announced yesterday. Kusama is Polkadot’s canary network for blockchain developers to build and test out their code as well as products and services. Fast facts KILT Protocol had […]

Chinese game company’s stock price soars after announcing metaverse game

A Chinese game company, Zhong Qing Bao, announced a metaverse game, and its stock rose considerably this week for two days in a row. Fast facts The game’s name is Brew Master, a game that lets players pretend to be winemakers and trade the wines that they make as NFTs. Two days after the game […]

What decentralization means for internet censorship | Ep. 2

What was internet censorship like in the early days, how has it changed, and what role does decentralization play.

South Korean crypto exchanges in ‘purgatory’ plea for survival

Smaller virtual asset exchanges ask for mercy as a deadline looms to commit to Korea’s new standards.

El Salvador’s big Bitcoin bet. Kim Kardashian, crypto flirt. Hong Kong’s crackdown warning.

Top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: El Salvador’s BTC experiment. EthereumMax and the power of celebrity. Hong Kong shores up regulatory oversight.

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.

NFL flags NFTs, crypto sponsorships for teams while it huddles on a digital game plan

The American football league’s 32 teams cannot sell NFTs or accept backing from crypto trading firms — at least for now.

What is the outlook for a US central bank digital currency?

It’s hard to move forward on a CBDC when those in charge can’t agree. Is time running out for an American digital dollar?

So, no ban? India’s crypto bill will treat virtual currencies as commodities in the asset class

The veil of uncertainty that has shrouded crypto regulatory discussions seems to be lifting, but how the government will regulate and tax digital money remains to be seen.

Exchanges in South Korea race toward last chance of survival

Crypto trading platforms rush to meet a Sept. 24 deadline, hoping to comply with new rules designed to protect investors.

Fractional ownership of the Doge meme hits $400M valuation

What does it mean to own an NFT? Furthermore, what does it mean to own a billionth of an NFT? For Doge lovers, it might be a good investment, or barking mad.

Poolin partners with crypto trading firm Quant Satoshi to expand US business

Poolin, a major cryptocurrency mining pool with significant operations in China, on Thursday announced a partnership with Quant Satoshi to further expand its mining operation in the U.S. Fast facts Poolin has partnered with Quant Satoshi, an American quantitative trading firm that focuses on crypto high frequency trading, to expand Poolin’s U.S. presence, the company […]

OKEx launches NFT marketplace and DeFi hub

OKEx, the world’s second-largest crypto derivatives exchange by trading volume, is amplifying its decentralized finance (DeFi) efforts by launching its DeFi Hub, along with a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace. Fast facts OKEx has launched DeFi Hub, a platform that offers users the ability to view and manage decentralized assets across major blockchain networks and DeFi […]

Market cap of crypto mining firms surged 121% this year: CoinShares Research

In the first eight months of 2021, the fledgling but fast-growing cryptocurrency industry saw almost as many companies come to market as 2019 and 2020 combined, according to the “The Arrival of Cryptocurrency Stocks” report published this month by CoinShares Research. Fast facts As of August 20201, there were 57 publicly listed cryptocurrency pure play […]

Securities exchange ADDX inks $200M deal to bring digital assets to Chinese investors

Singapore-based digital securities exchange ADDX today announced it had reached a US$200 million agreement that will give accredited investors in China access to digital securities covering various asset types, the company said. Fast facts According to a company statement, ADDX has reached an agreement with ICHAM, a Singapore-regulated wealth and fund management company, to be […]

DeFi TVL hits new all-time high; US, Vietnam, Thailand lead global DeFi adoption

The United States, Vietnam, Thailand, China and the United Kingdom lead global adoption in decentralized finance (DeFi), according to Chainalysis’ Global DeFi Adoption Index published this month. Fast facts “While grassroots cryptocurrency adoption generally is highest in emerging markets, DeFi adoption is strongest in high-income countries that already had substantial cryptocurrency usage, especially amongst traders […]

BSN to launch South Korea portal; Canaan secures huge rig order

China’s BSN to launch in South Korea portal as Chinese Canaan secures huge mining rig orders

Blockchain game MIR4 gains global popularity despite ban at home in South Korea

The multiplayer online role-playing game is widely popular elsewhere, while Korea bans play-to-earn crypto and NFT trading.

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

How blockchain technology is shaking up courtrooms in Asia

Blockchain is helping with cross-examinations in China while bolstering chain of custody for evidence in Taiwan. Is Asia ahead of the technological legal curve?
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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

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 […]

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 […]

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

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

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.

Korea’s new FSC chair speaks; Axie Infinity to work with governments

Korea’s new FSC chair speaks meanwhile Axie Infinity to work with governments

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 […]

Crypto mining rig giant Bitmain confirms TSMC chip price jump

China-based Bitmain, one of the world’s biggest producers of cryptocurrency mining rigs, confirmed in a social media post a 20% price hike in the chips it buys from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). Fast facts Bitmain said on Thursday in a WeChat post that TSMC had informed all clients, including the mining rig maker, that […]

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.

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 […]

How blockchain is transforming shipping and redefining global trade

Rising from the rubble of a Covid economy, shipping companies are now using blockchain technology to rebuild profitability and reduce inefficiencies.

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 […]

Taiwan Semiconductor chip price increase on the way

Amid global supply shortage, the move could impact clients such as mining rig maker Bitmain, which sources TSMC’s wafers for its Antminer S19 series.

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 […]

Guangzhou court uses blockchain for online cross-examination

In a legal first for the region, the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court used a new blockchain system in a lending dispute case so the parties can submit evidence and do cross-examination online. Fast facts The “blockchain electronic cross-examination system” allows each side to upload its evidence online. The opposing party, under the judge’s supervision, can cross-examine the […]

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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Crypto bank in South Korea says it aims to comply with strict but unclear new law

Sandbank, a South Korean bank for virtual assets, says it is in the process of acquiring the necessary certification needed to legally operate in the country. However, the financial authorities have yet to decide whether their requirements apply to crypto banks. Fast facts In an announcement, Sandbank told its customers it has put acquiring the […]

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.