How China’s DCEP digital yuan could reshape geopolitics and change the world

One year after China unveiled a digital currency via testing, its potential for displacing dollar diplomacy is becoming more understood. Is the US worried yet?

New ASEAN Blockchain Consortium forms to champion blockchain

Blockchain organizations from Australia and five Southeast Asian nations join forces for blockchain advocacy, public education and talent development.

Why Bitcoin’s carbon footprint may not be bad as you might think

As we observe Earth Day, let’s not scapegoat cryptocurrency. The truth about renewable energy and electricity use by banking and gold may surprise you.

While supporters rally to mark “Dogeday 4/20” – Here’s the weird history of Dogecoin

From controversial meme-coin to the 5th largest digital asset. Is Dogecoin a joke or the future of cryptocurrency?

Dogecoin frenzy spreads in Asia; Indian exchange logs 15x traffic | The Daily Forkast

Asia adds to global Dogecoin froth, investors buy into the meme-currency ahead of US hours. South Korea kicks off a crackdown on illicit crypto use.

12,600 XRP holders demand their day in court in SEC v. Ripple lawsuit

XRP investors and users ask to join SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple as third-party defendant. ‘Without our intervention, we are without a voice in the debate.’

Ethereum ETFs come to Canada while US waits for SEC on Bitcoin ETFs

While the US has pondered Bitcoin ETFs since 2013, Canada is now moving on to Ethereum ETFs — with 3 new Ether funds launching in the next 24 hours.

What is Bitcoin’s environmental impact — and what are the solutions?

The recent steep rise in Bitcoin and Ethereum prices has also led to more crypto mining and energy-consumption, much of it still powered by coal.

China calls crypto an ‘investment’; Crypto demand bounces back in Asia

China gives the “alternative investment” label to crypto at this year’s Boao Forum for Asia, and hints at reserving a seat for digital assets in the country’s digital economy. Meanwhile, exchanges in Asia recover from crypto’s weekend price crash and see spikes in Bitcoin long orders. We’ll have more on that story — and other […]

Crypto assets should be regulated as “alternative investments”, China’s central bank officials said

China’s central bank is exploring a new stance towards Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, now calling them investment vehicles – but not currency

Coinbase sell-off triggers crypto market panic as Dogecoin prices soar

Were the weekend’s falling BTC, ETH and XRP prices a cryptocurrency market crash or just a correction — and why is DOGE escaping investors’ wrath?

Why new SEC chief Gary Gensler may be Biden’s gift to crypto industry

Are digital assets securities or commodities? Outdated laws offer no clarity, but US is now poised to reform blockchain regulations and lead world by example.
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Ripple accuses SEC of ‘intimidation tactic’ in seeking XRP info overseas

Battlefield for SEC v. Ripple lawsuit goes global as defense lawyers seek to stop SEC from obtaining information on Ripple and XRP from foreign regulators.

One year after China began testing its digital yuan, China watchers wonder how close it is to launching?

Look for nifty DCEP wallets to make a debut at the 2022 Beijing Olympics

Dogecoin swells over 80% in Asia hours; China’s CBDC pilots turn one

Billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Cuban are behind the 8th largest crypto Dogecoin. Meanwhile, it’s the one-year anniversary of DCEP pilots.

Dogecoin’s price no joke as DOGE rallies to become 8th largest cryptocurrency

The “joke” cryptocurrency has surged from less than a cent to hit a price of around US$0.25 today with a 24-hour trading volume of US$34.6 billion.

Ethereum’s Berlin upgrade goes live. What’s next for Ethereum?

ETH surged to a new all-time high with Ethereum’s Berlin hard fork. Will improving gas fees ward off Ethereum competitors like Binance Smart Chain?

Justin Chow: Why Asian institutional investment in Bitcoin will only grow

Justin Chow of Cumberland DRW explains why Asia has lagged behind the US in institutional interest in crypto — and why that will likely change soon.

Are Bitcoin ETFs ready to party? Line is growing at SEC’s gate.

Bitcoin’s soaring prices are attracting traditional investors who want in, but with an entourage rather than solo. When will the velvet ropes lift in US and Asia?

Macao considers e-CNY rollout; kimchi premium arbitrage on the rise | The Daily Forkast

Macao jumps into digital yuan feasibility studies while South Korean banks make moves to curb kimchi premium arbitrage.

Swire Properties series focuses on food and sustainability

Healthy food chain SaladStop! assesses the carbon footprint of food production and incentivizes customers to bring their own bowls. What can other retailers learn from this?

Japan explores digital currency but is loathe to commit

Despite launching CBDC research, Bank of Japan is still not sure nation needs digital yen. Experts fear the caution could cost Japan its competitive edge.

Ripple partners with Novatti to use XRP for remittances in Asia Pacific

Despite its legal troubles in the US, Ripple expands XRP’s uses in Southeast Asia’s lucrative and fast-growing international money transfer market.

How new SEC chair Gary Gensler can reshape the crypto industry’s future

The former MIT blockchain professor and CFTC chair now sits atop a key regulator over crypto. How might his leadership affect SEC v. Ripple, or Bitcoin ETFs?

What is Coinbase really worth? XRP rallies with Ripple’s wins over SEC. HSBC bans MicroStrategy over Bitcoin embrace.

Other top blockchain and crypto news: HSBC bans MicroStrategy over Bitcoin affair. Tokenized TSLA and Coinbase COIN now on several crypto exchanges.

Coinbase listing on Nasdaq sets benchmark for other crypto exchanges

Coinbase’s estimated $100 billion direct listing debut could be the tipping point for crypto going mainstream. But is Coinbase really worth that much?

Binance Lists Coinbase Stock Token; Altcoins Reign Asian Crypto | The Daily Forkast

Bitcoin booms to new all-time highs but Asian retail investors are wooed by higher gains in altcoins while Binance tokenizes Coinbase.

Bitcoin skyrockets past US$64,000, hits another all-time high

Ahead of Coinbase’s Nasdaq listing, Bitcoin surged to new highs in Asian trading hours. Ether, ADA and DOGE also reached new ATHs as altcoins soared.

Security exec allegedly steals $45M in Chinese government-owned crypto

A young executive with Beosin, tasked to protect cryptocurrency that police recovered from another crime, allegedly then lost it all in a Bitcoin bet gone bad.

IMF wants more crypto supervision in the Philippines | The Daily Forkast

IMF warns issues warnings against crypto exchanges in the Philippines as China extends tests of its digital yuan to its free trade zone, Hainan Province.

Ripple executives file to dismiss SEC lawsuit as XRP prices soar

Tailwind of legal wins propel XRP’s market cap past US$70 billion as Ripple CEO and chairman ask court to drop SEC’s charges against them.

Asian DeFi Picks Up Steam; Hong Kong Scammers Use Crypto As Bait | The Daily Forkast

XRP joins Wanchain’s DeFi ventures while Thai mobile bank explores the financial experiment. In Hong Kong, local police bust crypto scammers.

XRP price surges over 40% following another legal victory for Ripple

Court ruling favoring Ripple executives and slapping down SEC catapults XRP — now the world’s 4th most popular crypto — to its highest prices in 3 years.

How MPC can solve blockchain’s data privacy conundrum

Blockchain improves data protection but not confidentiality. Here’s why multi-party computation can be a solution, writes Kurt Nielsen of Partisia Blockchain.

Meitu buys more crypto; Hong Kong, Singapore tease NFT platforms | The Daily Forkast

Meitu adds to its crypto treasury while Singapore and Hong Kong gear up for the NFT craze.

Hong Kong-listed Meitu buys more Bitcoin, now has US$100 million in crypto

Shares are up 75% since the beauty selfie app company began investing in Bitcoin and Ether to try to boost its flagging fortunes.

Asian governments urge ‘extreme caution’ before buying cryptocurrency

As Bitcoin and crypto market swells beyond $2 trillion, even crypto-friendly Singapore is warning the public about risks. Are more regulations coming?

New art and fashion NFT platforms coming to Hong Kong, Singapore

Welcome to crypto’s latest catwalk. Publisher of Vogue Singapore and a Hong Kong exchange unveil plans to turn up the heat on Asia’s NFT market.

Korea’s BTC Premium Nosedives; Officials Take Aim at Crypto | The Daily Forkast

Government dismay at crypto frenzy in South Korea brings the country’s Bitcoin premium down a few notches. But despite threats and policy chills, it’s only got more South Koreans interested in the dizzying crypto world.

Bitcoin’s ‘kimchi premium’ plummets, Upbit exchange suspends services

After surging to 21%, the higher prices that South Koreans pay for Bitcoin are now plunging. What role did Korean regulators and overseas traders play?

Lawyer for 11,000 XRP holders pushing to fight SEC in Ripple lawsuit

As Ripple and SEC intensify their legal battles, attorney John Deaton and his clients are trying to jump into the fray. Will XRP investors get their day in court?

Filecoin’s crypto top 10 stint. Coinbase wows with earnings for Nasdaq debut. Japan opens door to CBDC.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Hong Kong is new test bed for China’s e-CNY digital currency. Decentraland’s token bridge to Polygon.

What is the truth behind the decentralized finance hype?

DeFi is making the global financial system more inclusive, but ‘teach more and punish less’ regulations are needed for greater adoption, a WEF panel said.

Ripple wins access to SEC’s internal documents on Bitcoin and Ether

In a ruling that can boost Ripple’s defense, judge says SEC must disclose discussions on whether XRP, Bitcoin and Ether are securities. Is a settlement now near?

Korea’s Bitcoin kimchi premium explodes as Kakao rises on Upbit rumors

Are South Korea’s new cryptocurrency exchange regulations skewing its crypto market? Meanwhile, Upbit’s parent Dunamu surges on NYSE listing rumors.

Will China’s rising crypto crimes prompt tighter regulation?

Rising Bitcoin prices have inspired a wave of crypto-related Ponzi schemes, fraudulent giveaways and other scams around the world — especially in China.

Why DeFi will be the next big thing in global finance

Traditional finance is costly and inefficient, and too many people are left out. Could decentralized finance (DeFi) be the answer?
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How blockchain can cut down fraud in the wine industry

High-tech solutions like blockchain, IoT, NFC and DLT are increasingly used to authenticate fine wine and detect counterfeits in China and around the world.
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DeFi insurance: Why buy coverage for your digital assets?

Insurance policies for DeFi can cover losses from theft to smart contract issues. But do read the fine print — and know the industry is ‘self-regulated.’

SEC agrees to redact two documents in Ripple lawsuit as XRP prices surge

XRP prices soar after Ripple and the SEC agree to partially redact some of Ripple’s email exchanges — but not the CEO’s financial information

Animoca CEO Yat Siu: Ownership economy ‘will be worth trillions’

Yat Siu, Greater China’s godfather of CryptoKitties and vintage Atari NFTs, also says gamers are at the forefront of blockchain adoption.

5 questions investors must ask before buying Bitcoin or digital assets

How do cryptocurrency investors know whom to trust, avoid scams and not buy coins with a shady history? Gunnar Jaerv of First Digital Trust explains.

Coinbase Nasdaq listing set for April 14

Coinbase’s COIN ticker will go public after the exchange’s Q1 earnings results disclosure ahead its April listing.

Hoping to ride NFT wave, Taiwanese basketball team launches NFTs

Taking a page from NBA Top Shot’s playbook, the Lioneers of Hsinchu County are now selling NFT video clips of their basketball stars. How is the sale going?

How blockchain technology’s landscape changed in the tumult of 2020

Far from slowing down blockchain advances, the Covid pandemic may have accelerated the technology’s growth and adoption, blockchain experts say.

India mandates new disclosure rules for cryptocurrency companies

Starting today, India’s crypto firms must report all cryptocurrency transactions to the government. What does this mean for India’s proposed crypto ban?
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Beyond NFT’s hype: Artists and crypto experts take a hard look at NFTs

What are you really getting when buying a non-fungible token, and are NFTs worth their eye-watering prices? Forkast.News dissects the latest crypto craze.

China opens digital currency door to all. NFTs go wild. Is Singapore’s Temasek buying virgin Bitcoin?

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Bitcoin prices rise as BTC and ETH options expire. DeFi market steps up as Elon Musk says, ‘Don’t defy DeFi.’

What do Hong Kong’s crypto laws mean for exchanges and investors?

HashKey Group’s Angelina Kwan, a former regulator who helped write laws relevant to the crypto industry, also explains why Hong Kong leads the world in fintech regulations.

XRP holders step closer to joining Ripple in fighting SEC lawsuit

In a new ruling, the judge presiding over SEC v. Ripple Labs opens the door to allowing XRP holders to intervene as a third party in the government’s lawsuit.

Sailing around the world for digital gold with the Liberty Bitcoin Cup

Young sailors are competing to win one Bitcoin in the Liberty Bitcoin Cup — a youth version of the America’s Cup — heading to Hong Kong in early 2022.

Ripple plans major Southeast Asia expansion by buying 40% of Tranglo

Despite its legal battles in the US over the XRP token, Ripple continues its push in Asia to grow its cross-border payments and money-transfer business.

China writes blockchain and digital currency into nation’s future

China’s new five-year plan — its blueprint for development — pours resources into ‘new infrastructure’ like blockchain technology and DCEP’s digital yuan.

Swire Properties series examines corporate responsibility in sustainability

Researchers did a United Nations ‘sustainability audit’ of technology firm PALO IT and discussed findings. What can other companies learn from this?

SEC tries to block XRP holders’ bid to intervene in Ripple lawsuit

SEC tells court that allowing XRP holders to join as third parties would create an ‘avalanche’ of claims and ‘undue delay, complexity and confusion.’

World’s first major crypto art show opens in Beijing

Headlined by crypto art superstars Beeple and Robert Alice, the in-person exhibit also features works by Chinese artists. Next stop: Shanghai.

How does China see its CBDC and its use in cross-border payments?

China’s central bank says its DCEP project’s digital yuan, now in pre-launch testing across the nation, ‘will coexist and cooperate’ with Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Justin Sun: Next generation traders will prefer NFTs and DeFi

Gen Z and millennials will transform investing. Here’s why one of their own — TRON CEO Justin Sun — thinks NFTs and DeFi are the wave of the future.

How blockchain can power the growth of green finance

As interest in green bonds grow around the world, Asia is emerging as a hotbed of sustainable finance. Here’s why China will be leading the way.

KPMG: Virtual asset service providers ready to professionalize and grow

New KPMG report outlines opportunities for investors as well as traditional banks with the rise of VASPs like cryptocurrency exchanges and custody services.

World’s central banks come together to collaborate on CBDCs

As the world increasingly turns to Bitcoin, stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies, a brain trust of central bankers want to take back control.

How liquid staking can unlock cross-chain interoperability and DeFi value

The siloed nature of many older blockchains is holding back DeFi’s potential, writes Sarah Kim of Terra. But help with greater interoperability is on the horizon.