Unraveling the mystery behind why Bitcoin prices are all over the place
Even the most reliable media can report wildly different crypto numbers. Forkast.News dives into DeFi math and crypto exchange economics to find out who’s right.
How can we better protect digital assets and guard against hackers?
As Asia warms to crypto, cyber attacks are growing in sophistication, writes Shahnawaz Backer of F5. What can be done to thwart bad actors?
DBS Bank first in Southeast Asia to join Hedera Governing Council
Singapore’s DBS Bank — Southeast Asia’s largest lender — has joined the Hedera Governing Council, a diverse group of companies that governs and supports the Hedera network, an enterprise-grade public ledger of transactions, according to a media statement. Fast facts DBS — the first and only bank in Southeast Asia to join the Governing Council […]
Tether to test anti-money laundering product
Tether Operations, the company behind Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin by market capitalization — today announced that it will be trialing Notabene’s crypto travel rule compliance product for cross-border stablecoin transfers. Fast facts USDT has a market capitalization of over US$70 billion and over US$64 billion in 24-hour trading volume, according to CoinGecko data. […]
DBS, JPMorgan, Temasek-funded Partior goes live for cross-border transactions
The Singapore government-incubated blockchain platform promises to dramatically speed up transactions and lower the cost of international trade.
Bitcoin propels crypto institutional inflows to record $1.5B
Crypto investment products saw record inflows last week of US$1.47 billion, with Bitcoin accounting for 99% of the inflows, according to digital assets fund manager CoinShares. Total crypto assets under management also reached a new peak of US$79.2 billion. Fast facts Bitcoin investment products saw record inflows of US$1.45 billion last week. “The record inflows […]
China’s BSN launches service portal in Hong Kong, Macau with digiXnode
Hong Kong-based blockchain technology company digiXnode Technology Ltd. today officially launched an exclusive service portal — for users in Hong Kong and Macau — that grants access to the Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN), China’s public-private nationwide infrastructure project to spur mass adoption of blockchain technology. Fast facts By subscribing to the service from digiXnode’s website […]
Midnight for crypto in China, but Hong Kong keeps lights on
Mainland China’s recent ban on crypto, the most draconian yet, did not come as a surprise to those in the know, says Angelina Kwan of HashKey Group. How will this affect the crypto hub of Hong Kong?
Australia’s Senate releases long-awaited crypto report
The Senate unveiled its most comprehensive look at blockchain regulation, hoping to transform the country into a global industry leader.
FTX raises $421 million, valuation jumps $7B in 3 months
Just three months after closing a record US$1 billion series B, the two-year-old cryptocurrency exchange is now valued at US$25 billion. Fast facts The US$420,690,000 Series B-1 funding round saw the participation of 69 investors, with prominent names the lineup, including Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, via its Teachers’ Innovation Platform, Singapore’s state-owned investment firm […]
Ripple expands cross-border payments using XRP with Tranglo in Asia, Al Ansari Exchange in Middle East
Despite its legal troubles in the U.S., San Francisco-based blockchain payments company Ripple has been pushing ahead to bring faster and cheaper cross-border payments using XRP in Asia and the Middle East. Fast facts Ripple and Tranglo, a Malaysia-based cross-border payments provider, today announced that Tranglo has launched its first live On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service […]
The crypto policy landscape and how to educate policy makers about Web 3.0 | Ep. 5
How the crypto economy is engaging with legislators, what policy makers need to know about Web 3.0 and what role the U.S. infrastructure bill has played in kickstarting better cryptocurrency education.
China’s crypto presence shrinks, while the U.S. rides the tide
More industry players are exiting the Chinese mainland market amid tougher crackdown.
Chinese find ways around crypto ban; ANZ settles debanking case
Chinese find ways around crypto ban meanwhile ANZ settles debanking case
Atlas expands crypto mining operations in U.S. with Compute North
Singapore-based Atlas Mining today announced that it is expanding its cryptocurrency mining operations in the United States in a multi-year hosting service agreement with Compute North, a U.S.-based cryptocurrency mining infrastructure provider. Fast facts The deal will see Compute North providing over 100 megawatts colocation capacity — enough to power a small city — for […]
Coinhako launches crypto platform for institutions and HNWIs
Singapore-based crypto trading platform Coinhako has launched “Coinhako Privé,” a digital assets platform for high net worth individuals (HNWIs) and institutions, according to a company announcement today. Fast facts The Coinhako Privé platform will provide members with institutional grade digital asset services and white glove services, such as a dedicated relationship manager, personalized support from […]
Crypto trading platform Bakkt goes public
U.S.-based Bakkt, a cryptocurrency custodian and trading platform, went public Monday on the New York Stock Exchange after an announcement by Intercontinental Exchange, or ICE, which owns Bakkt and the NYSE. Fast facts Unlike its competitor Coinbase, which chose a direct listing on Nasdaq, Bakkt is going public by merging with a special-purpose acquisition company, […]
Binance taps former Dubai financial services official as regulatory liaison chief
Binance — the world’s biggest cryptocurrency by trading volume — today announced the appointment of Mark McGinness, former head of international relations at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), as its chief regulatory liaison officer, according to a company statement. Fast facts McGinness’ appointment comes as Binance bolsters its compliance efforts and navigates regulatory headwinds […]
Crypto mining pool AntPool to stop IP access from mainland China
AntPool, currently the world’s second-largest Bitcoin mining pool in terms of real-time hashrate, announced today that it is stopping the connection of IP addresses from the Chinese mainland beginning Friday. Fast facts AntPool said in its statement it decided to make the adjustment to abide by the Chinese government’s relevant rules on crypto mining and […]
Crypto platforms Cobo, Gate.io leave mainland following China crypto ban
Cryptocurrency investors on the Chinese mainland continue to feel the chill from the country’s latest crypto ban, as more and more industry players exit the Chinese market. Cobo, a Singapore-based crypto management platform, is among the latest to opt out. Fast facts In order to reflect the regulatory requirements on the mainland, Cobo said Wednesday […]
Why global regulations for stablecoins can help catalyze crypto adoption
In this special Q&A, industry leaders tell Forkast.News why global stablecoin regulations can help catalyze crypto adoption.
Bitcoin bulls set for stampede amid six-figure forecasts
Top blockchain and crypto news: Big money heads for Bitcoin. How fishy are Squid Game NFTs? China mothballs mining.
Coinbase and Binance move to diversify; Stablecoins under scrutiny
Coinbase and Binance move to diversify meanwhile Stablecoins under scrutiny
Crypto exchanges diversify amid growing competition
As non-crypto players like Twitter and PayPal take up digital assets, Coinbase, Binance and others look for ways to expand offerings.
China to ‘outdate’ crypto mining industry with more restrictions
The country’s top economic planner hopes to prohibit investment in what it considers an energy-intensive sector.
A look at how global stablecoin regulations are evolving
As international regulators seek to implement oversight, crypto industry players say it is a positive sign that regulators are now considering including stablecoins in banking regulations.
Sri Lanka to study digital banking, blockchain and crypto mining regulation
Sri Lanka has formed a panel to recommend a regulatory framework covering the growth of digital banking, blockchain and cryptocurrency mining, the government has announced. Fast facts Developing an integrated system of digital banking, blockchain and cryptocurrency mining is crucial for Sri Lanka to keep up with its regional neighbors while expanding international trade, the […]
Is Blockchain’s age of interoperability finally on the horizon?
As blockchain nodes multiply around the world, the need for interconnectivity has never been greater. John DeVadoss of InterWork Alliance explains why.
Crypto exchange Binance looks to Ireland for regional HQ
Binance — the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world — is looking at setting up regional headquarters in Ireland, according to Reuters. Fast facts “Historically, we claim that we don’t have headquarters. We are actually just in the process of establishing a few headquarters in different parts of the world,” Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao told […]
Ukrainian president seeks revision of cryptocurrency bill
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned a cryptocurrency bill to Parliament for revision on Tuesday, demanding the National Securities and Stock Market Commission of Ukraine be designated the country’s main crypto regulator. Fast facts The crypto bill had passed the second parliamentary hearing on September 8. Had Zelenskyy signed the bill, it would have made the country the fifth […]
Ripple partners with Qatar’s largest bank to improve cross-border payments
Blockchain payments company Ripple has partnered with Qatar National Bank (QNB) to improve cross-border payments and launch a new remittance platform, Ripple announced on Tuesday. Fast facts QNB will pilot RippleNet, a network of banks and other payment companies developed using Ripple’s technology, with QNB Finansbank in Turkey as part of a group rollout, the […]
What is Hong Kong’s future as a crypto hub?
Hong Kong, a hotbed for crypto startups and exchanges, is at a crossroads, writes Jeremy Ng of Gemini. Here’s how the industry can better secure its future.
How will China’s new dictates affect Hong Kong’s future as a crypto hub?
Mainland China’s recent clampdowns on crypto are reverberating beyond its borders. In a special Q&A, former regulator and crypto industry leader Angelina Kwan discusses what this means for Hong Kong.
Crypto on the beach: FTX and other players find paradise in the Caribbean
This week, FTX announced it is moving its headquarters from Hong Kong to the Bahamas, as the larger Caribbean region takes on a bigger role as host to virtual currency exchanges.
dYdX price surges 80% in a week to all-time high
dYdX, the governance token for the dYdX exchange protocol, surged to a new all-time high of US$27.86 today, according to CoinGecko data. Fast facts dYdX is a decentralized exchange (DEX) built on Ethereum that currently supports perpetual contracts, margin trading and spot cryptocurrency trading, as well as lending and borrowing. It is a non-custodial exchange […]
Following crypto ban, digital wallet imToken restricts some access for China users
Decentralized wallet imToken is restricting access to some of the services it offers for users in China, in the wake of the latest ban imposed by top Chinese authorities last Friday. Fast facts The company has restricted users in China from accessing and using third-party financial applications, including those from decentralized crypto exchanges, stake mining […]
Why China’s latest stomp on crypto is turbo-charging DeFi growth
DeFi tokens like dYdX soared after China’s latest move to throttle crypto. Is this a short-term spurt or decentralized finance shifting into high gear?
Who in the world should worry about China’s new crypto ban?
As Chinese authorities take aim at crypto violations outside mainland borders, Forkast.News asks lawyers in the know: Who is in China’s line of fire?
How China’s crypto clampdowns could reshape the rest of the world
Against the global tide of digital asset adoption, China’s harshest crypto ban yet heralds golden opportunities, writes Richard Byworth of EQONEX. Other governments should take note.
Retail malls, move over. Crypto mining is in for Malaysia’s Hatten Land
Malaysian property developer Hatten Land has signed an agreement, through a subsidiary, with Singapore-based digital asset management company Frontier to share proceeds from jointly operating at least 1,000 cryptocurrency mining rigs within Hatten Land properties in Malaysia, according to a company statement released today. Fast facts Hatten Land has previously announced that it would repurpose […]
The curious timing behind China’s thunder and lightning at crypto
China assaulted crypto with a new ferocity just as Bitcoin options expired and Evergrande escaped death. Coincidence? Ben Caselin of AAX lays out the clues.
China’s crypto crackdown: What it means
China’s crypto crackdown and what it means
XinFin’s XDC Network and Tradeteq partner on NFTs for trade finance
Singapore-based blockchain protocol eXchange inFinite (XinFin) and trade finance distribution platform Tradeteq today announced their partnership to tokenize trade finance assets into non-fungible tokens (NFTs), according to a company statement shared with Forkast.News. Fast facts Atul Khekade, co-founder of XinFin, told Forkast.News in an interview that traditional trade finance assets that are typically paper-based such […]
FTX CEO: This is the canary in China’s crypto ban coal mine
Amid China’s new clampdown, why is DeFi surging and the RMB-to-crypto market important? Sam Bankman-Fried analyzes what it all means and why FTX is leaving Hong Kong for a new home.
Industry players scramble, evaluate options as China bans all crypto transactions
China’s intensified crackdown on cryptocurrency leaves service providers looking to stay compliant with Friday’s abrupt announcement.
China’s crypto ban: what you need to know
How is China’s latest clampdown on crypto different from its previous bans — and how do authorities plan to catch the scofflaws? Henri Arslanian of PwC breaks it down.
What does China’s crypto ban really mean? Insights from the ground
China’s hardline stance against crypto is already rippling beyond its borders. A mainland crypto insider explains the global shakeup yet to come.
Former US Treasury advisor predicts no ‘real action’ from Fed on CBDC
While a US digital dollar is stuck at pole position, China’s digital yuan is nearing the finish line. Michael B. Greenwald of Tiedemann Advisors explains why it matters to the future global economy.
Digital yuan could come to overseas users to challenge dollar dominance: policy bank expert
China may be a small step closer to internationalizing the yuan, though its central bank says the e-CNY is now mostly tested for domestic use.
How Southeast Asia flowered into a global crypto hub
Until recently, most Southeast Asians had no internet. Now the region is abloom with blockchain innovation. How did they do it?
As big investors pour $930M into 2 NFT startups, what do the tea leaves say for the rest?
Marquee investors like Softbank and Andreessen Horowitz are heaping love on Sorare and Dapper Labs. What does this mean for the future of the non-fungible tokens sector?
VC names jump in on NFTs; Crypto investors brush off Evergrande
VC names jump in on NFTs meanwhile crypto investors brush off Evergrande
Crypto platform Cobo raises $40M to expand one-stop DeFi shop for institutions
Cobo, a Singapore-based crypto custody and asset management platform, today announced the completion of its US$40 million Series B fundraise to accelerate the rollout of its decentralized finance (DeFi) as a service (DaaS) product. Fast facts In an interview, Cobo Chief Operating Officer Lily Zhuo told Forkast.News that Cobo’s DeFi as a service (DaaS) product, […]
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.
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.
Binance faces US probe for possible insider trading and market manipulation
Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is reportedly now under investigation for possible insider trading and market manipulation by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Fast facts According to a Bloomberg report that cited unnamed sources, investigators from the CFTC — the agency that regulates the U.S. derivatives markets — […]
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.
Avalanche’s AVAX token surges to all-time high after $230M fundraise
AVAX — the native token of the Avalanche blockchain — today surged to a new all-time high of US$68.34, according to CoinGecko data, boosted by news of a US$230 million investment into the Avalanche ecosystem. AVAX has increased by 60% over the past seven days. Fast facts Launched in September 2020, Avalanche is an open, […]
Institutional DeFi poised to become a $1 trillion industry, Blockdata says
Blockchain research firm sees explosive growth in smart contract-based products that can replace existing financial services.
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.
How you can own a (tiny) part of a Thai beachfront villa for US$150
Blockchain and tokenization are transforming how real estate can be bought and sold. Here is how one fintech startup in Asia is using digital fractionalization to raise capital.
Bank of China, DBS and HSBC partner with GSBN on digitizing trade finance
Three banks — the Bank of China, Singapore’s DBS and HSBC — have partnered with the Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN), a Hong Kong-based non-profit consortium that recently launched a blockchain-based trade platform, to form a trade finance advisory group, according to a media release shared with Forkast.News today. Fast facts Trade finance — the […]
Reserve Bank of Australia posts CBDC job position
Amid the country’s ongoing Senate inquiry into crypto regulation, the Reserve Bank of Australia has posted a job advertisement for a position within its central bank digital currency research team. Fast facts A successful applicant would join a new cross-disciplinary team to research “whether there is a case for a CBDC in Australia, and if […]
The cryptocurrency industry’s liquidity issues — and an effort to solve them
Broctagon Fintech Group is launching what it hopes will become a new global standard for cryptocurrency exchanges to reduce price discrepancies. Will it work?
CoinSwitch Kuber says it’s now the largest Indian exchange with over 10 million customers
The platform reports more users than WazirX and CoinDCX, and aims to make crypto trading as easy as ordering food online.
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.
What does El Salvador’s new Bitcoin law mean for crypto markets?
El Salvador’s Bitcoin embrace may be a domino for some emerging markets, but a fierce rival to the BTC is also coming to the fore.
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 […]
Korea crypto damage assessed; Initium’s news based NFTs sell out
Korea crypto damage assessed meanwhile Initium’s news based NFTs sell out
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.
Riding the NFT trend: questions to consider before investing in these hot digital assets
As non-fungible tokens break into the mainstream, experts advise buyers to do research and watch for a correction.
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.