Binance the winner in FTX saga, set to gain more customers
Binance may have nixed the deal to bailout rival exchange FTX.com, but it could still gain a big chunk of FTX’s business as investors flee the platform.
Binance pulls out of FTX buyout; latest updates and commentary
The following is a running compilation of views and comments on Binance’s announcement that it will not go ahead with the acquisition of FTX.com.
The fall of FTX “not good for anyone,” CZ says
The sudden downfall of top cryptocurrency exchange FTX will bring in more regulatory scrutiny and raise the difficulty of obtaining licenses around the world, Binance founder and chief executive Changpeng Zhao said in an internal note, which he shared with the public via Twitter on Wednesday.
Crypto exchanges see more withdrawals over fears of FTX liquidity
Large volumes of stablecoins moved out of exchanges, including KuCoin, OKX, Kraken, Huobi and Binance over the past week.
Binance set to swallow FTX as run on exchange allows CZ to swoop
Top blockchain and crypto news: FTX concedes defeat in long battle with Binance. Crypto eyes Congress races. Hong Kong U-turns on digital assets.
U.S. midterms: gridlock… and progress on crypto industry regulation?
In a period of toxic divide between the Democrats and Republicans, the need to figure out how to regulate the growing cryptocurrency industry is one of the few issues both parties seem to agree on.
Japan’s Web 3.0 lawmaker urges further easing of country’s crypto regulation
Japan needs to further relax rules for its crypto industry, said lawmaker of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party Masaaki Taira.
Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX token falls more than 20% amid Binance feud
Crypto exchange FTX’s native token, FTT, fell more than 20% in afternoon trading in Asia amid speculation rival exchange Binance is selling off the FTX token.
CZ vs. SBF tweet exchange is no ‘fight,’ Binance CEO claims
Binance chief executive officer Changpeng Zhao (CZ) said in a Twitter thread that he had no intention of picking a fight with FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried.
Zuckerberg’s Meta plans to lay off thousands of employees: WSJ report
Meta Platforms Inc. is planning its first significant mass layoff later this week that may affect many thousands of employees.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether fall; Dogecoin interest fades
Bitcoin and Ether dropped in afternoon trading in Asia along with almost every other top 10 cryptocurrency by market capitalization, excluding stablecoins. MATIC was the only coin to gain.
Blockchain without cryptocurrencies: How might China’s BSN change Web3?
By excising cryptocurrencies from the ecosystem, crypto-hostile China could steal a march in enterprise blockchain, says Red Date Technology chief Yifan He.
Crypto asset manager HashKey gets Singapore’s in-principle license
HashKey Capital Singapore, an investment arm of Hong Kong-based HashKey Group, said on Friday that it received an in-principle approval for the Capital Markets Services license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Curiosity ‘always’ fuels innovation, says blockchain co-creator Stuart Haber
U.S. computer scientist Stuart Haber, recognized with Scott Stornetta as the co-inventor of blockchain, says he is excited to see the evolution of the technology, not only in the financial sector, but also in entertainment, business, and technology industries.
Standard Chartered invests in Partior blockchain payments platform
London-headquartered banking giant Standard Chartered announced on Thursday that it had invested in the blockchain-based interbank settlement platform Partior, a joint venture of JP Morgan, DBS bank and Temasek.
Singapore still aims to be a crypto hub, minus speculative trading
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) wants to build the city-state into a “crypto hub” fueled by instant settlements, tokenized assets and programmable money, not “speculating in cryptocurrencies,” Ravi Menon, the central bank’s managing director, said at the Singapore FinTech Festival on Thursday.
Singapore’s Project Ubin+ to study cross-border FX with CBDCs
The MAS launched Project Ubin+ on Thursday, a collaborative initiative with international partners to explore cross-border foreign exchange settlements using wholesale CBDC.
How soulbound tokens can lift billions of lives around the world
What are soulbound tokens, and how can they end the ‘credit paradox’ that has been holding back the unbanked masses? Fakhul Miah of CreDA explains.
Hong Kong crypto policy turns on hopes of economic revival
Top blockchain and crypto news: Hong Kong rethinks digital assets. CBDC to debut in India. China’s e-yuan privacy problem.
Payments platform StraitsX to show real-world stablecoin use at Singapore Fintech Festival
Singapore-based StraitsX, a payments infrastructure for digital assets, will pilot stablecoin applications at the ongoing Singapore Fintech Festival.
Huobi plans to move HQ to the Caribbean, Justin Sun says
Huobi Global, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, plans to move its headquarters to the Caribbean, its new advisory board member Justin Sun said.
Singapore lender DBS explains its DeFi experiments, plans
DBS, the largest bank in Southeast Asia, said it tested trading of foreign exchange and government bonds using permissioned decentralized finance (DeFi) liquidity pools on a public blockchain as part of the city-state’s Project Guardian exploration of blockchain in finance.
DBS bank says it tested blockchain DeFi protocols for forex, bond transactions
The bank is in the center of developments shepherded by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to explore digital financial technologies emerging around blockchain.
USDC stablecoin issuer Circle wins Singapore digital payment license
The issuer of the world’s second-largest stablecoin is joining a fleet of companies in the digital asset industry moving into Singapore. What’s the attraction?
Regulators are your friend, IMF official tells crypto industry
Deputy director of monetary and capital markets at the IMF, Dong He, said at Hong Kong Fintech Week on Tuesday that his message to the crypto industry is to embrace regulation.
Singapore’s Tokenize crypto exchange opens platform for institutional investors
Cryptocurrency exchanges in Singapore are shifting focus to heavy-hitter investors, such as family offices and financial institutions, in line with the central bank’s warnings about the risks in retail crypto trading.
Hong Kong to boost funding, investor pool for fintech startups
Hong Kong will increase funding for startups, including fintech companies, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau said on Tuesday.
Web 2.5 is new Web 3.0, says co-founder of blockchain VC firm Kenetic Capital
A hybrid middle ground between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 is necessary before full Web 3.0 integration, argued Jehan Chu, co-founder and managing partner of blockchain venture capital firm Kenetic Capital, adding that “it’s not the fully decentralized future we were promised, but it’s the one we’re going to get first.”
Singapore’s DBS Bank trials use of digital SingDollar with vouchers
DBS Bank, the largest lender in Southeast Asia, has partnered the Singapore government’s Open Government Products (OGP) to pilot purpose-bound money-based vouchers (PBM) using tokenized Singapore dollars to facilitate live transactions with selected merchants.
Satoshi’s other big legacy: Bitcoin is propelling a green energy revolution
The Bitcoin white paper, published 14 years ago this day, launched an industry that is now subsidizing clean energy and turning waste into digital gold, writes Will Szamosszegi of Sazmining.
Sam Bankman-Fried says Hong Kong could become Asia’s Web 3 hub
The founder of crypto exchange FTX, which moved out of Hong Kong in 2021, said that the city could emerge as a Web3, blockchain and cryptocurrency hub.
Visa’s trademark filings hint at launch of crypto wallet
Visa International Service Association on Oct. 22 filed two trademark applications that hinted at plans of launching a crypto wallet.
Blockchain will be YouTube for finance, says CEO of South Korean blockchain firm Streami
The use of blockchain technology in finance will have an impact similar to that of YouTube on the media industry, said Lee Jun-haeng, CEO of South Korea-based blockchain company Streami.
How to manage your crypto assets beyond the grave
When the Grim Reaper comes, will he take all your Bitcoins, too? Here’s how to ensure your crypto wealth will survive and live on for your heirs.
Education is best protection measure in blockchain tech, says Binance chief CZ
Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao believes education is key to a wider, safer adoption of blockchain technology.
Aptos debut underwhelms amid questions over design and performance
Top blockchain and crypto news: Aptos launch falls short. Why FTX chief is calling for crypto regulations. Is Hong Kong paving way for a retail CBDC?
Singapore floats tests for retail crypto traders, plans to regulate stablecoins
The central bank is also considering options such as banning crypto firms from offering credit facilities, leverage or staking services to retail traders.
Sam Bankman-Fried to refund FTX phishing victims — just this once
Cryptocurrency exchange FTX will reimburse US$6 million lost by users in a phishing attack over the weekend, according to founder Sam Bankman-Fried.
The crypto industry needs to do more to help ordinary investors
Cryptocurrency was created to be accessible to the masses. So why are retail investors getting shut out from the best analytical and trading tools?
Is crypto dead? No, but doomsayers may profit from your panic
A lack of regulations means anyone can say bad things about crypto to stir up fear — and push you to sell. Even if they stand to make money from your losses.
Reinventing banking: Why is Standard Chartered so drawn to Web3?
Institutional adoption of Web3 in finance means getting traditional banks involved, which will in turn reshape the way banks work, says SC Ventures’ Alex Manson.
What is XRP and what is Ripple?
Why has Ripple Labs been in the U.S. SEC’s crosshairs and what’s the difference between Ripple and XRP?
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether fall as EU considers crackdown on energy-intensive crypto mining
Bitcoin and Ether both fell in Wednesday morning trading in Asia amid news the European Union is considering a bill to restrict the mining of energy-intensive cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. Most of the rest of the cryptocurrency top 10 by market capitalization, excluding stablecoins, also declined, with the exception of Polygon. See related article: Bitcoin, […]
Markets: Bitcoin price rises amid sweeping gains across top 10 crypto, Polygon increases 7%
Markets: Bitcoin price rises amid sweeping gains across top 10 crypto, Polygon increases 7%
One country, two systems? Hong Kong seems set to diverge from China on digital assets
Hong Kong seems set to put out a new welcome mat for the blockchain and crypto industries, but will it work after concern about regulatory restrictions convinced many cryptocurrency operators to leave?
CFTC, SEC investigate if bankrupt 3AC misled investors, failed to register business
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission of the U.S. are investigating whether bankrupt crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) misled investors about its balance sheet and failed to register with the two agencies, according to a Bloomberg report which cites two people familiar with the matter. See related article: […]
Japan pushes for tougher crypto AML regulations amid N. Korean cyberattacks
The Japanese government approved amendments to existing financial regulations to prevent money laundering utilizing cryptocurrencies and increase penalties on those involved, according to local media reports. See related article: North Korea’s Lazarus Group attacks Japanese crypto firms, police say Fast facts The Cabinet, Japan’s executive body, approved the revisions to laws associated with the country’s […]
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether rise; Polygon, Solana lead gainers among the top 10 tokens
Bitcoin and Ether rose as all top 10 tokens by market capitalization, excluding stablecoins, gained in Tuesday morning trading in Asia. Polygon led the list. Solana followed on news a leading non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace will suspend transaction fees. See related article: Gold commodities market could enter the blockchain, according to new industry initiative Fast […]
Is crypto suffering from the same ills as TradFi?
Centralized lenders like Celsius and Voyager have proven hugely problematic, but DeFi also has big issues. What if we pursue a hybrid approach?
Blockchain.com granted in-principle approval for Singapore license
Cryptocurrency exchange Blockchain.com has received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for a license to offer “digital payment token” services in the city-state. See related article: Singapore’s MAS says needs to do better job explaining crypto policy Fast facts Blockchain.com is the second crypto exchange to earn the central bank’s in-principle approval […]
Solana-hosted DeFi platform Mango exploited for over US$100 mln
Mango Markets, a decentralized platform hosted on the Solana blockchain, was exploited for over US$100 million. See related article: What is the Solana ecosystem and how is it fueling SOL’s stratospheric rise? Fast facts Mango’s token MNGO was severely impacted, dropping 42.9% in the past 24 hours to US$0.023 as of 11:15 a.m. in Hong […]
Coinhako aims to grow institutional users, introduces arm for eligible clients
Singapore-based Coinhako cryptocurrency exchange, one of a handful to have a full license to operate in the city-state, has launched “Coinhako Treasures” to offer more products that suit the needs of institutional clients, like corporates and family offices, as it seeks to grow its institutional user base. See related article: How a market slump may […]
Crypto exchange Coinbase awarded in-principle license for Singapore
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase Global Inc. received a digital assets license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the firm announced Tuesday. See related article: Coinbase blames India’s central bank for exit Fast facts They were granted “in-principle approval” under the Payment Services Act to provide “regulated Digital Payment Token products and services” in Singapore, including “our […]
Vincent van Gogh Sites Foundation launches legendary artist into Web3
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) can be used to preserve and spread fine art and cultural heritage, tapping into new generations of audiences and patrons, said stakeholders.
Singapore eyes blockchain-based payment systems for faster cross-border transactions
The Monetary Authority of Singapore is exploring blockchain-based payments solution to solve the challenges in cross-border transactions. See related article: Singapore warms up to crypto industry — on its own terms Fast facts The current state of cross-border payments “is slow, costly, opaque, and inefficient, relying on an archaic network of correspondent banks,” Ravi Menon, […]
Want the next-generation internet? Start legislating for it
Web3 communities need to join forces with policymakers to draft rules for the next iteration of the online world, says Haun Ventures’ Tomicah Tillemann
NFTs from art and the burning question of their physical origins
Original artworks are being set on fire and destroyed to be digitally reborn on the blockchain as non-fungible tokens. But, how far is too far in this recent incendiary trend?
Singapore’s central bank says illegal crypto operations will be hunted down
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said illegal crypto-related businesses are operating in the city state and it is working with the police to identify and prosecute them. See related article: Singapore’s MAS says needs to do better job explaining crypto policy Fast facts In a reply to a Parliamentary question, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, senior minister […]
Is that bottle of ‘Grand Cru’ for real? An NFT can nose out the truth
The tradition-bound wine world is not always open to change, writes Sebastian Schier of vinID. But new technology can solve the age-old problem of wine fraud.
Temperatures rise over alleged Celsius withdrawals ahead of bankruptcy
Top blockchain and crypto news: Celsius founder in hot water. European bank woes cast crypto shadow. Will BSN’s Chinese roots thwart its global ambitions?
Celsius cofounder, chief strategy officer resigns: report
Bankrupt crypto lender Celsius’ cofounder and chief strategy officer S. Daniel Leon has resigned, a week after the company’s CEO Alex Mashinsky stepped down, according to an internal company memo viewed by CNBC. See related article: Alex Mashinsky steps down as Celsius CEO Fast facts The company’s previous global tax director, Lior Koren, is taking […]
Apes still rule among the bears: NFT market falls for fifth straight month
‘Crypto Winter’ has touched all elements of the crypto market, and non-fungible tokens are no different.
Celsius ex-CEO withdrew US$10 mln before freeze on client accounts: FT reports
Alex Mashinsky, who resigned as chief executive officer of Celsius on Sept. 27, reportedly withdrew US$10 million from the crypto exchange in May, weeks before it filed for bankruptcy and froze withdrawals in June, according to the Financial Times. See related article: Celsius on thin ice well before its bankruptcy: CNBC report Fast facts A […]
Tokenize plans acquisitions, fund raising to build exchange network
As the crypto slump drives job cuts and worse, some exchanges are seeing opportunity for expansion in the downturn, call it the fortune-favors-the-brave mantra.
Institutional finance, role of regulators in focus at TOKEN2049 crypto conference
The second Forkast report on Asia Crypto Week’s anchor event explores what bets TradFi players are making, how Asian investment patterns differ from those elsewhere, and what cooperation between crypto companies and regulators should look like
SEC charges Hydrogen Technology for selling unregistered securities
The SEC has filed charges against Hydrogen Technology Corporation and former chief executive Michael Ross Kane for alleged sales of unregistered “crypto asset securities” in the form of Hydro tokens. See related article: SEC’s Gensler says proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies may be securities Fast facts Moonwalkers Trading Limited CEO, Tyler Ostern, is also being charged for allegedly […]
Cryptocurrency crowd shrugs off market woes at upbeat TOKEN2049 conference
In the first of a two-part report on this year’s cryptocurrency gathering in Singapore, defiance outshone defeatism despite industry’s struggles.
Bitcoin ‘might double in price’ under CFTC regulation, its chairman says
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chairman Rostin Behnam said Thursday the crypto industry has “a massive opportunity for institutional inflows that will only occur if there’s a regulatory structure,” pushing for his office to lead the effort. See related article: Crypto community pushes back following CFTC charges against Ooki DAO Fast facts “Growth might occur […]
Cryptocurrencies much more than trading tools, says Caselin at AAX exchange
Who will regulate the regulators is a time-honored question and one Bitcoin enthusiasts raise when talking about the benefits of the token’s fixed supply versus the tendency of central banks to switch the money spigots off and on.
China busts ‘world’s dumbest thieves’ in digital yuan money laundering case
Chinese authorities can track e-CNY wallet transaction history, if warranted, thanks to its ‘managed anonymity’ design.
Is crypto in a deep funk? Think again
Beyond the bear market, Web3 technology is shining bright in gaming and music, writes Hannes Graah of Gro. Are we at a tipping point for mass adoption?
Is the Philippines on track to becoming a blockchain hub?
The Philippines now ranks 2nd in the world for crypto adoption, but its path ahead is unclear, writes Emman Navalan. What are the hurdles it must overcome?