Vitalik Buterin: Ethereum is more than DeFi. Is social media its next big use?
At EthCC in Paris, Ethereum’s boyish creator lays out a vision for the blockchain’s non-finance uses — like ridding social media of bots and fake news.
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NFT buzz continues as OpenSea raises US$100M
OpenSea, the world’s second-biggest non-fungible token marketplace by trading volume, has raised US$100 million in a series B funding round led by venture capital firm A16z, the company has announced. Fast facts The new funding raises the company’s value to US$1.5 billion, making it a unicorn — a start-up with a valuation of more than…
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Chinese insurer Ping An seeks digital yuan payments for new Covid-19 policy
China’s trial of e-CNY, the digital version of the national currency, the yuan, has extended to the insurance industry, with conglomerate Ping An encouraging medical staff in the southern city of Shenzhen to pay premiums for a Covid-19 insurance plan using the new currency. Fast facts One Ping An branch in Shenzhen is offering insurance…
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Blockchain gaming unicorn Animoca Brands and Brinc launch NFT accelerator
Hong Kong-based blockchain gaming company Animoca Brands and global venture accelerator Brinc have launched Launchpad Luna, a new accelerator program to identify, mentor, and invest in promising blockchain and non-fungible tokens (NFT) startups, according to a company statement. Fast facts Projects accepted into the accelerator program will receive training, end-to-end support and funding of up…
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India’s crypto community plays for time as New Delhi dithers on regulation
The prospect of a ban on cryptocurrencies has haunted the industry for years, but it appears to be receding as delayed rules give policymakers time to think before they act.
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Why Thailand’s oldest bank is investing US$110 million in DeFi
In a special Q&A, Mukaya ‘Tai’ Panich of SCB 10X, the venture arm of Siam Commercial Bank, marvels at decentralized finance innovations. ‘Whatever traditional finance has, there’s a parallel version in DeFi.’
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FTX’s $900 million deal. Dogecoin in the doghouse. Digital yuan dragnet.
Top blockchain and crypto news: FTX swells to $18 billion valuation. Etherum and Dogecoin disowned by creators. US pols call for Olympics boycott of e-yuan.
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Crypto miner ships China-based rigs abroad in deal with U.S. fossil fuels firm
Optimum Mining Host-Black Rock Petroleum plan comes as Canaan seeks greener operations through Czech partnership.
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EU to ban anonymous crypto asset wallets in AML/CFT push
The European Commission intends to tighten anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism rules by banning anonymous crypto asset wallets as it seeks to align European Union law with Financial Action Task Force standards, according to legislative proposals presented yesterday. Fast facts A key change is a proposed amendment to the 2015 EU regulation on transfers…
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FTX crypto derivatives exchange closes record $900M Series B with $18B valuation
Fast-growing FTX just pulled off the largest-ever fundraise for a crypto exchange to date. Will heightened regulatory scrutiny lie in its near future?