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Axie Infinity, one of the world’s most popular non-fungible token (NFT) games, tweeted that it is “looking forward to working with physical nations” and called for its digital users to abide by the laws of their home countries, presumably a reference to local tax laws. Fast facts The tweet came just days after the Philippines government stated […]

Bitcoin’s price dropped following a quick ascent past US$50K, but analysts say the rally is set to continue. Meanwhile, Solana again defied the overall market to post a new price high.

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 […]

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.

While India’s parliament considers a potential nationwide ban on all private virtual currencies, a former governor of India’s central bank says some cryptocurrencies have a “potential future” in the global economy. Raghuram Rajan, ex-governor of India’s central bank and former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, made his comments at a Reuters Global Markets […]

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

In a special Q&A, an Antinalysis spokesperson reveals the source of the company’s controversial data and disputes that it’s for criminals. ‘Privacy is a human right.’

Korea reveals crypto exchange ‘Death Note’: DeFi investment booms

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 […]

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.

24 out of 63 digital currency exchanges in South Korea are not expected to meet new compliance requirements and will most likely be shut down in less than a month.

While DeFi has historically moved with the Ethereum price, the latest all-time high in total value locked in can largely be attributed to new blockchains purpose-built for the sector and institutional interest.

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 […]

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 […]

In the latest from the world’s third-largest cryptocurrency, which has gone from strength to strength this month, the Cardano Foundation is partnering with blockchain analytics provider Coinfirm.io to ensure the network complies with the Financial Action Task Force’s guidelines. Fast facts In a company announcement this week, the Cardano Foundation said it would be using […]

Bitcoin ATM operators DigitalMint and Coinsource are joining blockchain analytics company Chainalysis to form the Cryptocurrency Compliance Cooperative (CCC). The mission of the CCC is to bolster compliance standards and protect consumers in the cash-to-cryptocurrency industry. Fast facts Leaders in the cash-to-crypto business say they are on the mission to create a safer environment for […]

While the funds stolen in last week’s cyberattack on Liquid are yet to be returned, the Japanese exchange has secured a US$120 million loan from fellow exchange FTX to cover losses. Fast facts Sam Bankman-Fried, the billionaire CEO of Hong-Kong based FTX, took to Twitter to make the announcement, saying he had always admired Liquid’s […]

Binance Markets Limited, the British affiliate of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, is now compliant with the requirements that the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority imposed on the company in June, the FCA said Wednesday. Fast facts The FCA had, back in June, issued a warning to Binance Markets Limited and the Binance Group and imposed […]

What is DeFi, why it’s poised to enable financial inclusion, and how the showdown between decentralized finance and regulators is taking shape.

HK football team launches NFTs; Food concept offers crypto mooncakes

Top blockchain and crypto news: Is another Bitcoin bull run coming soon? Punks rocking NFTs. Why crypto contracts may not be enforceable in China.

The previous version of Antinalysis, which was based on the AMLBot API, was shut down but within a week it has respawned not just on the darknet but also on the clearnet.

The team joins a growing number of football clubs around the world launching non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as they look to engage fans and generate new revenue streams.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Just as Dogecoin prices are once again going to the dogs, a Chicago animal shelter is asking for DOGE donations to help real-life dogs in the dumps. Fast facts PAWS Chicago has launched a “Dogenation” campaign, which allows animal lovers to donate to the charity in cryptocurrencies — not just Dogecoin — via QR codes […]

The magazine unveils two digital-only covers as well as fashion, beauty and design NFTs, all for sale in a new metaverse.

Fetch.ai, an artificial intelligence lab based in the British city of Cambridge, today announced the launch of its new non-fungible token (NFT) platform, Colearn Paint, that will allow creators to automatically generate NFTs using a machine learning algorithm. Fast facts Alongside the surge in NFT sales over the past year, NFT marketplaces have proliferated. According […]

The ruling by Shandong’s High Court backs up China’s official stance against trading in cryptocurrencies. What does this mean for investors?

Professor jailed for crypto scam while Cryptopunks trading volume soars

CryptoPunks sales volume increased by over 1,100% in the last 24 hours

Much of traditional finance still believes DeFi is too risky and not worth the bother, writes Ilia Maksimenka of PlasmaFinance. Are these perceptions accurate?

As the crypto hashrate continues to recover, miners will likely have to work harder for their coins.

Ripple also challenges SEC’s use of ‘deliberative process privilege’ to prevent agency documents on Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP from disclosure.

With play-to-earn crypto games like Axie Infinity continuing to attract users, tax authorities in the Philippines are looking into taxing such blockchain-based game companies as well as the income earned by users on such platforms, according to a report by the Manila Bulletin. Fast facts Philippines’ finance undersecretary Antonette C. Tionko said earnings from these […]

Circle, issuer of the world’s second-largest stablecoin USDC, has announced plans to be 100% backed by cash and short-term U.S. Treasuries by September. The company’s most recent attestation showed USDC’s US$22.2 billion supply was backed by only 61% “cash and cash equivalents.” Fast facts Circle had indicated earlier in the month that it wishes to […]

In preparation for El Salvador adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, the nation is rolling out 200 ATMs and preparing 50 bank branches across the nation to allow residents to exchange crypto for fiat easily, President Nayib Bukele has announced over the weekend via Twitter. Fast facts With El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption bill coming into effect […]

Shaanxi Province has built the province’s first toll lane that supports digital yuan payments; the first payment was successfully made on August 16. Fast facts Shaanxi Province says it will continue to install digital renminbi payment equipment at all expressway toll stations in the province. Shaanxi Province is located in the western inland region of China, and […]

Upbit submits compliance report: China’s e-CNY trials broaden

China’s high penetration of smartphones, digital-savvy population helps reduce e-CNY testing time, observers say

Led by Ethereum rivals, crypto prices are in an upswing with over $2.1 trillion in total market cap. Is this the start of another crypto bull run?

Cryptocurrency and other digital assets are expected to rival or displace fiat currencies within the next decade, according to Deloitte’s 2021 Global Blockchain Survey. Fast facts More than three quarters of the 1,280 executives and practitioners surveyed by Deloitte, the global consulting, tax services and auditing firm, think that digital assets “will serve as a […]

The9 Ltd., a Chinese gaming company that only a few months ago pivoted its business to crypto mining, is setting up another joint venture in Kazakhstan as it ramps up its mining operations in the Central Asian nation that shares a border with China. Fast facts Nasdaq-listed The9 has signed an investment memorandum through a subsidiary […]

The hunt for hackers who stole an estimated US$97 million from the Japanese crypto exchange Liquid last week has hit some snags as the cybercriminals have been actively hiding their tracks with a crypto mixing tool as they move to transfer their loot into other wallets. Fast facts According to public blockchain information on Etherscan, […]

XREX’s fundraise reflects Taiwan’s ambition to be part of fintech and blockchain innovation in spite of the island’s strict banking regulations.

Binance Singapore today announced the appointment of Richard Teng, former chief regulatory officer of the Singapore Exchange (SGX), as chief executive, bolstering its leadership ranks with former regulators while battling growing regulatory woes around the world. Fast facts Teng was CEO of the Abu Dhabi Global Market for six years before stepping down in March. […]

The ideal metaverse is open and interoperable, says Jamie Burke of Outlier Ventures. Here’s how blockchain gaming and NFTs are closing in on that future.

Steelmaker Ansteel Group and lithium battery producer Tianneng are the latest companies to make use of blockchain in accordance with China’s national strategy.

Beset by legal and regulatory woes around the world, Binance — the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume — today announced that it is implementing mandatory know-your-customer (KYC) with immediate effect as it steps up its anti-money laundering (AML) compliance. Fast facts All new Binance users are now required to complete “intermediate verification” — which […]

Coinbase launches in Japan while Binance users take legal action

Despite a looming compliance deadline, currently there are no crypto exchanges in South Korea that meet the new government reporting requirements to continue operating, according to financial authorities. Fast facts The Financial Services Commission (FSC) revealed through a press release that none of the domestic cryptocurrency trading platforms have successfully complying with the nation’s new […]

Finder.com CEO Fred Schebesta is offering AU$5 (US$2.85) worth of Bitcoin to every Australian who is fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fast facts Announcing the plan on Sydney radio this week, the self-made millionaire said he was looking for a way to contribute to the vaccination effort and thought this could be a way to help. […]

The largest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S. has partnered with one of Japan’s largest banks to gain market entry. What does the move say about the Japanese market as the industry is rocked by yet another crypto exchange hack?

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is seeking to bring an enforcement action against Aux Cayes Fintech Co. Ltd., which operates the OKEx platform, for allegedly violating Ontario securities law, according to a statement. Fast facts According to the statement of allegations filed by the OSC’s enforcement team on Aug. 18, Seychelles-incorporated Aux Cayes — which […]

Cardano’s Alonzo upgrade is fueling ADA’s price growth into top-3 cryptocurrency. Major crypto players are now also signaling bullishness on Cardano.

China continues its crackdown on certain illegal social organizations, as authorities shut down the website and social media accounts of the China Blockchain Application Center — a organization once led by some of the nation’s most prominent crypto industry leaders, state media China National Radio reported yesterday. Fast facts The China Blockchain Application Center was […]

Crypto traders who suffered losses on Binance due to tech outages are turning to arbitration and crypto litigation finance.

Aleph.im, a cross-blockchain storage and computing network, announced today the release of a decentralized indexing tool for the Solana blockchain ecosystem. Fast facts

Blockchain investment goes green while Court says bitcoin legally protected

As ESG drives more corporate agendas, Sonic Capital’s Sphere aims to provide access to blockchain investment opportunities toward a greener future.

The Bank of Thailand today published the results of its retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) study and public survey, which the central bank says will guide the development of the country’s CBDC pilot test. Fast facts The Bank of Thailand underscored that a CBDC for the general public “must not adversely affect monetary policy […]

The central bank of the Netherlands has issued a warning that Binance — the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world by trading volume — is illegally operating in the country. Fast facts Binance is providing crypto services in the Netherlands without the required legal registration with De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), according to the regulator. “This […]

In what will likely be a relief for many Salvadorans, El Salvador’s finance minister said the use of BTC will remain “totally optional” and businesses will not be sanctioned for not using it when the country’s controversial BTC law comes into effect on Sept. 7, reports Yahoo News. Fast facts The country’s adoption of BTC […]

Poly Network offers hacker a job meanwhile NFTs support Afghan families

Top blockchain and crypto news: A darkweb stain is scrubbed away. Solana’s moment in the sun. Alibaba huddles with Tencent.

Despite having verified it, and with investors already spending millions on the project, OpenSea has delisted the NFT series after being notified by its creator.

Operating costs and crypto bear market suck up cash after former lottery operator bets on digital assets

Asia is now tops in the world in cryptocurrency adoption. Vietnam, India and Pakistan are now the top three countries in the world in crypto use — and other Asian countries aren’t far behind, according to Chainalysis’ 2021 Global Crypto Adoption Index published today. Fast facts Thailand, China and the Philippines also ranked in the […]

The Securities and Exchange Board of India, a markets watchdog, has asked depositories to employ blockchain to record and monitor the creation of securities and covenants involving non-convertible securities, according to a report by Livemint. Fast facts SEBI formed a group in November to suggest ways to strengthen the process of creating and monitoring securities, […]

In China, digital yuan testing, which increasingly looks like a soft rollout, is continuing full steam ahead, with more banks allowing their customers to top up their e-CNY wallets. Fast facts An additional 13 banks have started to allow their customers to recharge their wallets directly in the e-CNY app, bringing the total number of […]

Bybit, a cryptocurrency exchange based in Singapore, announced today a multi-year partnership with popular esports team NAVI (“Natus Vincere”), which will display Bybit’s logo on NAVI’s jerseys as well as charity initiatives, school projects, and anti-hate and anti-bullying campaigns. Fast facts “The Covid-19 pandemic has changed many established conventions in a number of human experiences,” […]