Bitcoin’s real role examined; 3AC’s complex ties revealed
A report says Bitcoin users are looking beyond investment. Meanwhile, court document reveals strong ties between 3AC and TPS Capital.
Bitcoin education accelerates adoption, lowers volatility: Ben Caselin, AAX
The price is bouncing back for the world’s favorite cryptocurrency and one Bitcoin expert tells Forkast now’s a good time to shift focus from price volatility to use cases.
Seeking Bitcoin alpha: How I learned crypto day trading
Hoping to strike crypto riches, Joel Stein follows the footsteps of a master degen investor. Here are the secrets revealed to him.
Sam Bankman-Fried says ‘moderately bad’ deals OK during bailouts
Prioritizing customers getting back their deposits means it is OK to do a “moderately bad” deal when rescuing troubled cryptocurrency companies, FTX founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried said on Tuesday. See related article: What Sam Bankman-Fried thinks will happen with NFTs and crypto exchanges in 2022 Fast facts Speaking at the Bloomberg Crypto Summit, Bankman-Fried, […]
US Justice Dept. seizes US$500K from North Korea-backed hackers
The U.S. Justice Department seized about US$500,000 from North Korea-backed hackers using ransomware, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced on Tuesday. See related article: US Treasury says prioritize sanctioning North Korea for crypto hacking Fast facts Hackers demanded Bitcoin ransom from Kansas and Colorado medical providers that were attacked by a never-before-seen ransomware strain called […]
Dubai scorches crypto winter with plans to support 40,000 ‘virtual jobs’
Dubai aims to be one of the top 10 cities globally in the metaverse economy, creating 40,000 virtual jobs and adding US$4 billion to the city’s economy in five years. See related article: Dubai could be crypto’s promised land, Citi says Fast facts The launch of the Dubai Metaverse Strategy on Monday was aimed at […]
US crypto bill may not pass the Senate this year, Lummis says
The U.S. Senate is unlikely to vote on the bipartisan cryptocurrency bill this year, Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis said Tuesday at the Bloomberg Crypto Summit. See related article: US crypto bill leaves ‘open question’ on securities: Tessler Fast facts “It’s a big topic, it’s comprehensive, and it’s still new to many U.S. senators,” Lummis said […]
Celsius plans repayment options; Bitcoin breaks US$22,000
Celsius says users can settle for cash or go long on crypto. Meanwhile in the markets, Bitcoin breaks US$22,000.
Five-member credit committee established to liquidate Three Arrows Capital
A creditors committee to liquidate the bankrupt, Singapore-based cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) was established at a meeting on Monday and comprised Digital Currency Group, Voyager, CoinList, Blockchain.com, and Matrixport, according to a document published the same day on the Three Arrows bankruptcy website. See related article: 3AC crypto contagion spreads to Blockchain.com: […]
More than half of Bitcoin investors in SE Asia use the crypto to preserve wealth: report
According to a report by AAX crypto exchange and Forrester Consulting, 51% of Bitcoin owners in Southeast Asia used it to save money and preserve their wealth. See related article: Crypto trading volumes dip to 18-month low amid bear market Fast facts Some 47% of Bitcoin users in Southeast Asia sought a profit while 44% […]
Singapore’s MAS to further strengthen crypto regulations
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it will seek consultation in the next months on proposed measures toward regulating the crypto industry. See related article: Singapore’s central bank says cryptocurrencies have ‘no fundamental value’ Fast facts Singapore’s regulatory focus on crypto has been mainly toward containing money laundering and terrorist financing risks, MAS Managing […]
Ethereum price breaks US$1,600, Ethereum Classic surges 22%
Ethereum (ETH) hit a high of US$1,610 on Tuesday morning in Asia, before retracing to trade at US$1,521 at press time, according to data from CoinMarketCap. See related article: Three Arrows, Voyager failures raise questions of who is next in crypto fall from grace Fast facts The world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization was up […]
India’s crypto industry plans new liaison group
The Indian cryptocurrency industry is looking to create an independent association to liaison with the government on policies and highlight issues with relevant stakeholders. See related article: India’s latest tax assault on crypto exchanges starts Friday Fast facts Key stakeholders have engaged in preliminary talks but the association’s establishment is not expected to be immediate, […]
Binance fined by Dutch central bank for improper registration
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has been fined in the Netherlands for operating without proper registration, the Dutch central bank said on Monday. See related article: Binance gets nod from Spain to offer crypto exchange, custody services Fast facts De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), which oversees crypto service provider registrations, said it imposed a 3.3 million euro (US$3.4 […]
Crypto trading volumes tank; India’s crypto info call to G20
Crypto trading volumes plummet as the crypto winter continues. Meanwhile, India calls on G20 to share information on crypto.
Failed promises compel South Korea’s game makers to explore foreign shores
The country’s major game developers continue to focus on overseas markets as there are no signs of a thaw in the government’s stance on games that include elements of blockchain and play-to-earn.
Crypto startup funding falls by 26% in H1 2022: report
Following a record first half last year, investments in startups focusing on the cryptocurrency industry are down amid the so-called crypto winter, data showed. See related article: Polkadot is top crypto held by VCs and hedge funds in Q4 2021 Fast facts Venture capital funding in crypto startups fell nearly 26% to US$9.3 billion across […]
Crypto miners should disclose energy data, US lawmakers say
A number of U.S. lawmakers urged the country’s energy and environmental protection authorities to mandate that cryptocurrency miners disclose data on energy use, as seven of the largest mining companies were found to use as much power as all of the homes in Houston. See related article: Bitcoin lobbyists rebut ‘misconceptions’ over environmental impact Fast […]
Touchdown: How ex-NFL players are helping college athletes score with NFTs
As the NFT market slumps, some savvy former American footballers and their business partners have been spurred to push the technology’s potential.
Celsius reveals US$1.2B financial hole; Terra subsidiary investigated
Celsius reveals it has a US$1.2 billion hole in its balance sheet. Meanwhile, a Terra subsidiary is under investigation by South Korean authorities.
Bored Apes, Sneaky Vampire NFT Champagne sold for US$2.5 mln
A Champagne bearing five non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the surface of its bottle, including the likes of well-known collections Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) spinoff Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) and a Sneaky Vampire, sold for US$2.5 million in a private sale last Friday. See related article: Scottish whisky brand The Dalmore to offer limited-edition […]
Huobi applies for trading license with Hong Kong SFC
Huobi Technology has applied to become a regulated virtual asset trading platform with Hong Kong’s securities watchdog, as the city moves on to clarify and tighten rules on cryptocurrency-related businesses. See related article: Hong Kong to propose bill to license crypto exchanges Fast facts Huobi said on Thursday the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has […]
Celsius files for bankruptcy after closing DeFi loans
The embattled U.S. crypto lender wants to continue certain operations during the restructuring process but customers will have to wait for the Chapter 11 proceedings to address their claims.
Celsius files for bankruptcy; Crypto unfazed by US inflation
Celsius files for bankruptcy despite having paid off millions in loans. Meanwhile, the crypto market sees green despite US inflation rates.
MATIC crypto skyrockets as Polygon joins Disney accelerator
Polygon was selected as one of the 2022 participants for Disney’s accelerator program on Wednesday, triggering the project’s cryptocurrency MATIC to rise by more than 15%. See related article: Aespa, NCT’s SM Entertainment builds metaverse studio Kwangya Fast facts The Walt Disney Company did not announce any of its own crypto projects, but the 2022 […]
Will Mt. Gox Bitcoin eruption smother hopes of rapid crypto recovery?
Top blockchain and crypto news: Payback time for Mt. Gox investors. USDC issuer strikes back as critics circle. Chinese bank fiasco hits a nerve.
Three Arrows Capital founder briefly surfaces; Buterin defends Ethereum
A US Judge gave liquidators authority to lay claim to 3AC’s US-based assets. Meanwhile, Buterin defends Ethereum ahead of merge.
Lightspeed launches US$500 mln fund for India, SEA
Lightspeed India Partners (LSIP) announced on Tuesday the closing of a US$500 million early stage fund (LSIP Fund IV) for India and Southeast Asia, as part of venture capital firm Lightspeed Venture Partners’ (LSVP) US$7.1 billion commitment. See related article: Huobi Ventures bets on DeFi and gaming in $10M GameFi fund Fast facts In addition […]
Bitcoin below US$20,000; Voyager refund questions
Bitcoin once again falls below the US$20,000 mark. Meanwhile, Celsius pays over US$113 million in debt and recovers more.
Financial Stability Board calls for high regulatory standards for stablecoins
The failure of a crypto market player may have spillover effects on traditional finance such as short-term funding markets, says the Basel-based international body.
Voyager crypto refund plan unconfirmed; fiat to be returned in full
Voyager Digital said in a Monday blog update that customers’ USD deposits will be returned in full “after a reconciliation and fraud prevention process” but it has yet to receive the green light on its cryptocurrency refund proposal. See related article: Voyager faces delisting from Toronto Stock Exchange after bankruptcy filing Fast facts Voyager filed […]
Inter-country use key for CBDCs to reach potential: report
For central bank digital currencies to enhance cross-border payments, issuing institutions must take functionality into account to avoid unintended barriers, a joint report by three international financial bodies says.
Celsius repays over US$113 mln in debt; recovers US$122 mln in collateral
Celsius Network repaid around US$78 million in USDC to Aave and US$35 million in DAI to Compound on Monday, blockchain data on Etherscan shows. See related article: Celsius repays debts, cuts jobs amid bankruptcy fears Fast facts The troubled cryptocurrency lender unlocked at least US$122 million in collateral through its latest set of repayments. Celsius […]
Bitcoin miners in Texas halt operations amid heat wave
Many cryptocurrency miners in Texas, one of the largest Bitcoin mining hubs in the U.S., are halting their operations as the state’s electrical grid faces surging power demand amid a heat wave. See related article: Marathon Digital says Montana storm knocked out most Bitcoin rigs Fast facts Nasdaq-listed miner Core Scientific on Tuesday said that […]
Why Singapore needs to rethink its approach to regulating crypto
Singapore wants to attract institutional capital while shielding its people from crypto — but it can’t have it both ways, writes Donovan Choy.
Bitcoin price sinks below US$20K, erases weekly progress
Bitcoin’s price fell below US$20,000 Tuesday morning in Asia, erasing last week’s gains, as both crypto and traditional markets await the latest U.S. inflation data due on Wednesday. See related article: Bitcoin price crosses US$22K; Fed cools recession fears Fast facts The world’s largest cryptocurrency fell 4.5% in the past 24 hours to trade at […]
CoinFLEX enters arbitration; Mt Gox dump fears
CoinFLEX’s deficit rises to US$84 million as it enters arbitration. Meanwhile, a report claims Celsius Network had lost over US$350 million in DeFi.
Why Bitcoin is still a good investment despite the bear market
BTC remains a safe haven for investors for the long term amid this year’s soaring inflation and market volatility, writes Josef Tětek of SatoshiLabs.
Bitcoin, Ethereum rebound pulls back amid worries of BTC dump from Mt. Gox, Celsius
Gains made by two of the world’s largest cryptocurrencies were partially eroded as speculation of a glut of Bitcoin from Mt. Gox’s customers and creditors and Celsius Network’s payback of its debt circulated over the weekend.
South Korea’s SK Telecom to build its first Web3 wallet
SK Telecom has partnered with blockchain firms AhnLab Blockchain Company and Atomrigs Labs to develop and operate a digital wallet for cryptocurrency management and Web3 access, the South Korean telecommunications giant announced on Monday. See related article: South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate to issue own cryptocurrency Fast facts SK Telecom said users of its wallet will […]
3AC crypto contagion spreads to Blockchain.com: report
Blockchain.com is at risk of losing US$270 million loaned to crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) which recently filed for bankruptcy, CoinDesk reported. See related article: Three Arrows Capital collapse sends tremors through crypto industry Fast facts “Three Arrows is rapidly becoming insolvent and the default impact is approximately [US]$270 million worth of cryptocurrency […]
Crypto investments to count when determining conflict of interest: US gov’t ethics watchdog
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) said federal employees of the executive branch owning cryptocurrencies or mutual funds investing in the sector need to recuse themselves from any matter related to the industry. See related article: CFTC Commissioner Pham suggests regulators stay tech-neutral on stablecoins Fast facts The July 5 memo clarified that the […]
Celsius crypto bankruptcy saga meets new restructuring lawyers: report
Cryptocurrency lender Celsius has hired new restructuring lawyers from Kirkland & Ellis LLP for advice on bankruptcy filing amid severe liquidity issues, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Sunday. See related article: Celsius said to be hiring restructuring attorneys, exploring financing options Fast facts Kirkland & Ellis is also advising Voyager Digital, which filed […]
DTI says no legal basis to ban Binance in the Philippines
The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it cannot ban Binance for cryptocurrency-related sales and promotion as there are no clear regulations issued by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the nation’s central bank. See related article: Crypto is based on the greater fool theory: Philippines’ incoming central bank chief Fast facts “Cryptocurrency […]
Bitcoin briefly above $22,000; Binance Philippines ban urged
Bitcoin briefly returns to the US$22,000 mark. Meanwhile, InfraWatch PH calls for a ban on Binance in the Philippines.
India’s Directorate of Enforcement said to question crypto exchanges
The country’s federal agency charged with investigating money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws has reportedly reached out to Indian crypto exchanges to probe possible violations of foreign exchange rules. See related article: CoinDCX double downs as the going gets tough in India Fast facts The Enforcement Directorate has sought “further details and documents” […]
Sam Bankman-Fried’s Voyager debt emerges; Celsius reshuffles board
SBF’s Alameda Research debt to Voyager emerges. Meanwhile, South Korea agrees to cooperate with the US on Terra-Luna investigation.
Celsius shuffles its board of directors amid liquidity crisis
Embattled cryptocurrency lender Celsius Network has reorganized its board of directors amid bankruptcy speculation, according to filings published by U.K. government executive agency Companies House on Wednesday. See related article: Celsius repays debts, cuts jobs amid bankruptcy fears Fast facts Celsius appointed David Barse and Alan Jeffrey Carr as directors in late June, filings show. […]
China’s BSN says daily NFT transactions surpass Ethereum
Transaction volumes on the Chinese state-backed blockchain’s non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystem were higher than that of Ethereum, the most popular blockchain for such deals, China’s Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) said in a press release on Wednesday. See related article: China’s Ant Group, Tencent, Baidu, JD.com push for NFT self-regulation Fast facts With 974,517 transactions, the […]
Three Arrows Capital contagion reaches Genesis brokerage
Genesis Chief Executive Officer Michael Moro confirmed on Wednesday the cryptocurrency brokerage was exposed to the now-bankrupt hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC). See related article: Three Arrows Capital files for Chapter 15 bankruptcy Fast facts Genesis sold collateral and hedged downside once 3AC was unable to meet margin call requirements on a loan, Moro […]
Vauld buyout talks; Celsius fights against bankruptcy
Crypto exchange Vauld is in buyout talks with Nexo. Meanwhile, other exchanges are in a fight against bankruptcy as Celsius pushes on despite short squeeze.
Three Arrows Capital collapse sends tremors through crypto industry
Top blockchain and crypto news: Three Arrows target bankruptcy protection. Polium’s Web3 game plan pilloried. China’s tech giants get hands-on with NFTs.
Three Arrows, Voyager failures raise questions of who is next in crypto fall from grace
The crypto winter is killing off companies that took on big risks when markets were booming. So is this the shakeout all financial markets go through?
‘Wolf of Wall Street’ says Bitcoin investments will be profitable in three to five years
Jordan Belfort, the man who inspired Martin Scorsese’s film “Wolf of Wall Street” and a once-avowed crypto critic, said Bitcoin is a long play while speaking on Yahoo Finance’s show The Crypto Mile. See related article: Bank of England calls for greater crypto regulation Fast facts The former convicted financial criminal turned famous consultant and […]
Nexo in talks to buy out Vauld
Nexo said it plans to not only protect Vauld’s existing customer base but also to give them access to an improved range of services. See related article: Celsius repays debts, cuts jobs amid bankruptcy fears Fast facts Nexo said it signed an indicative term sheet with Vauld that grants it a 60-day exclusive exploratory period […]
Bank of England calls for greater crypto regulation
The Bank of England (BoE) called for stricter financial regulations on the back of the recent cryptocurrency crash in its Financial Stability Report released Tuesday. See related article: Crypto crash justifies RBI’s stance: central bank chief Fast facts Risk is growing with the cryptocurrency industry’s expanding connection with the wider financial system, the U.K. central […]
Crypto’s biggest problem is not volatility, but scalability
Notwithstanding this bear market, Web3’s more pressing issue is its inability to handle large volumes, writes Greg Gopman. Can sidechains offer a solution?
MAS mulls crypto limits; Pacquiao’s Pacman NFTs
Singapore’s monetary authority mulls on crypto limits. Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao drops his NFT collection despite the crypto winter.
Celsius repays debts, cuts jobs amid bankruptcy fears
Celsius Network has paid back US$142.8 million of its debt to Maker since July 1, data from DeFi Explore shows, as the embattled cryptocurrency lender looks to avoid a complete collapse. See related article: Goldman Sachs said to raise US$2B for Celsius assets: report Fast facts With the repayment, Celsius’ liquidation price for its Wrapped […]
Vauld halts withdrawals, trading, deposits; explores restructuring
Vauld has suspended all withdrawals, trading and deposits on its platform, the Singapore-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange said on Monday. See related article: Three Arrows Capital files for Chapter 15 bankruptcy Fast facts The firm, backed by PayPal founder Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures, Pantera Capital and Coinbase Ventures, said it is exploring “potential restructuring options.” Vauld said […]
Singapore may limit retail participation in crypto
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is mulling additional consumer protection safeguards on crypto, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the minister in charge of the central bank, told Parliament. See related article: Singapore’s central bank says cryptocurrencies have ‘no fundamental value’ Fast facts MAS is considering introducing rules on the use of leverage and limits on retail participation […]
Crypto winter hits NFTs; Three Arrows Capital files for bankruptcy
Three Arrows Capital files for bankruptcy in the US. Meanwhile, SBF and FTX agrees deal with option to buy for up to US$240 million.
Monthly NFT sales fall below US$1 billion for first time in 12 months
Crypto industry sales are slumping, but it’s not just hedge funds and lenders that have been hit hard by the crypto winter. The NFT industry has also begun to feel the chill.
CEL soars 17%; reclaims spot in top 100 crypto by market cap
Celsius Network’s cryptocurrency CEL is up 32.1% over the past 14 days leading to Monday in Asia, even as speculation around the lender filing for bankruptcy heats up. See related article: Celsius community adopts GameStop tactics to squeeze out short sellers Fast facts CEL token gained 17% over the past 24 hours, peaking at US$0.94, […]
BlockFi’s deal with Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX will prioritize clients
The crypto lender signed definitive agreements with FTX US for a US$400 million revolving credit facility that will be subordinate to all client funds. The crypto exchange also has an option to acquire BlockFi for about US$240 million based on performance targets. See related article: Sam Bankman-Fried steps in to bail out BlockFi Fast facts […]
Meitu’s Bitcoin, crypto investments down by over US$50 mln
Hong Kong-listed beauty app Meitu said on Friday it is expecting a net loss of up to 349.9 million yuan (US$52 million) in the first half of 2022, driven by tumbling cryptocurrency prices. See related article: Hong Kong-listed Meitu buys more Bitcoin, now has US$100 million in crypto Fast facts See related article: Software firm […]
Indian crypto trading volume drops as much as 63% after new tax
Trading volume in Indian cryptocurrency exchanges dropped by as much as 63% since July 1, when a 1% tax deducted at source (TDS) was imposed. See related article: India’s latest tax assault on crypto exchanges starts Friday Fast facts Daily trading volume at cryptocurrency exchange WazirX fell more than 63% on July 1 to US$5.36 […]
As the frenzy fades, what value do NFTs really have?
With NFT trading volumes slumping and regulators stepping in, Vignesh Sundaresan, who paid US$69 million for a Beeple artwork, shares his views on the space.
EU’s new crypto rule requires stablecoin issuers to hold more reserves
European Union officials agreed to the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) law on Thursday, placing cryptocurrencies, issuers and service providers under the EU’s first regulatory framework for the industry. The rules are expected to kick in as early as 2024. See related article: European Union to track all crypto transfers Fast facts All stablecoins will fall […]
Roger Ver says he will issue statement on default dispute with CoinFLEX
Early Bitcoin adopter and Bitcoin Cash promoter Roger Ver told Forkast he will issue an official statement before Monday responding to allegations he defaulted on a US$47 million loan in USDC from CoinFLEX. See related article: Roger Ver denies defaulting on US$47 mln loan from CoinFLEX Fast facts Ver told Forkast in a phone interview […]
Cryptocurrencies a clear danger: India central bank chief
Cryptocurrencies are a “clear danger” and have the potential to disrupt financial stability, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das said. See related article: Crypto crash justifies RBI’s stance: central bank chief Fast facts “Anything that derives value based on make believe, without any underlying, is just speculation under a sophisticated name,” Das said […]
CFTC Commissioner Pham suggests regulators stay tech-neutral on stablecoins
The crash of Terra-LUNA threw the entire crypto space into a dark funk, and raised questions about the safety and role of stablecoins. CFTC Commissioner Caroline D. Pham offers a regulators’ viewpoint at a Forkast+ exclusive event.