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Killing it softly or regulating to innovate? India at the crypto crossroads

India’s crypto tax represents both a threat to the industry and an opportunity to create a regulatory framework to support it, says Polygon’s Jaynti Kanani.

Bitcoin, crypto market on the rise along with global markets

Volatility has been the name of the game in the past few months, but experts tell Forkast that may be coming to an end.

Bitcoin legal tender status meets stop sign in Malaysia

Malaysia’s deputy finance minister Shahar Abdullah turned down a proposal to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender on Thursday, calling cryptocurrency unfit for payments.  See related article: Malaysia ministry: adopt crypto as legal tender to engage the young Fast facts Abdullah voiced concerns around cryptocurrencies’ price volatility and cyber security risks. Zahidi Zainul Abidin, the deputy […]

S.Korea tosses travel rule private wallet compliance to exchanges

South Korea’s financial watchdog has passed on the compliance of private cryptocurrency wallets to exchanges, as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) travel rule went into effect on Friday. See related article: FATF updates regulatory guidance for crypto industry Fast facts “The travel rule only regulates transactions among individuals. There isn’t any rule pertaining to […]

China takes aim at corruption in underground Bitcoin mines

China’s anti-graft watchdog has warned that authorities are keeping a close eye on possible corruption behind underground cryptocurrency mining that persists even after the government banned the sector.  See related article: China ousts former official for supporting crypto mining, corruption Fast facts The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Chinese Communist Party said […]

Russia proposes Bitcoin payments for oil and energy exports

Russia State Duma deputy and Energy Committee chairman Pavel Zavalny proposed Bitcoin and national currencies as payment options for energy exports to “friendly countries,” such as Turkey and China, at a press conference on Thursday. See related article: EU says crypto included in sanctions against Russia and Belarus Fast facts Zavalny proposed gold and Russia’s […]

Bollywood Icon’s Tax Bill; Metaverse Fashion Week Opens

Chinese telecom ZTE registers metaverse-related trademarks. Meanwhile, Bollywood star gets chased over NFT taxes.

Thailand bans Bitcoin and crypto payments

Cryptocurrency payments will be banned in Thailand starting April 1, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Wednesday.  See related article: Thailand eases crypto tax burden until 2023 to promote industry Fast facts The SEC said price volatility, lack of customer safeguards, money laundering and cyber theft risks drove the decision to ban cryptocurrencies […]

Bored Apes as NFTs: What is the Bored Ape Yacht Club?

BAYC is one of the hallmark NFT collections and a billion-dollar ecosystem. This Forkast explainer explores the cartoon primates and what makes them so special.

The NFT Market By the Numbers

Global Sales Volume NFT sales amounted to US$18.5 billion in 2021—a 570-fold increase from 2020 as the record bid for Beeple’s digital collage and the strong reception for NBA Top Shot attracted new collectors and boosted prices, data from NFT industry data aggregator CryptoSlam showed. Companies from Gucci and Ray-Ban to McDonald’s and Coca Cola […]

Fusang defers IPO; Yuga Labs hits $4bn valuation

Malaysia’s Fusang defers their IPO. Meanwhile, Blockchain Week Australia looks into intellectual property rights.

Blockchains and NFTs

The world’s first NFT dates back to 2014, when New York artist Kevin McCoy’s animation known as Quantum was originally minted on Namecoin, a blockchain forked from Bitcoin. Quantum eventually sold for US$1.47 million at a Sotheby’s auction in June 2021, but its host blockchain is buried deep in the history of NFTs, rarely visited […]

Echoes of El Salvador as Malaysian minister calls for crypto adoption

Top blockchain and crypto news: Bitcoin buzz in Malaysia. Yuga Labs teases Otherside. Blockchain verdict in China.

Fusang delays security-token IPO amid market jitters

Conflict in Ukraine takes a toll on Malaysian exchange’s $10 million IPO just a week before planned listing.

NFT Marketplace Competition Heats Up

Opensea, an NFT marketplace on the Ethereum blockchain founded in 2017, currently dominates the NFT landscape with a market share of over 80% as of February 2022. OpenSea’s monthly trading volume on Ethereum soared to a new record high of US$5 billion in January 2022, surpassing its previous peak of US$3 billion reached in August […]

Regulations on the Radar

While blockchains and NFTs can theoretically eliminate plagiarism and fraud, there is as yet no clear distinction between NFTs that have been inspired by the designs of others and those that are simply copycats. Nike, for instance, has filed a lawsuit against StockX for selling NFT images of its shoes, while Hermès has sued an […]

The Metaverse Conquest | Interview with Sébastien Borget

The Sandbox metaverse is made up of 166,464 unique land NFTs, digital pieces of real estate, that players can own to publish their creations, monetize their games or rent to other creators. These lands will host a wide range of experiences, and their limited number makes The Sandbox seem like a virtual Manhattan when it […]

Decoupling of NFTs from Cryptocurrencies

NFTs are increasingly being seen as an asset class that is distinct from cryptocurrencies, and this is reflected in the rising valuations and trading volumes in recent months. For instance, sales of Bored Ape Yacht Club tokens doubled from December 2021 to a record US$313 million in January 2022, according to CryptoSlam data. In contrast, […]

The Boost from Blockchain Gaming

From the lookout: Unbeknownst to those outside the NFT space, there’s a mammoth blockchain game on the horizon. Even before the launch of Star Atlas, which promises cinema-quality graphics, investors are already pouring millions of dollars to purchase in-game NFT items. The unreleased game’s leaderboard shows a player with US$4 million worth of assets. This […]

NFT Avatars — A New Identity

NFT avatars are digital portraits, often illustrating animated or pixelated characters. Avatars are algorithmically generated to give each NFT unique identifiable traits, such as a particular hairstyle, mustache, glasses, or even laser eyes — a social trend Bitcoiners cite to support the cryptocurrency’s climb to US$100,000. In many instances, the ownership of these avatars represent […]

Asia Primed For NFT Growth

Asia looks set to become the next big market for NFTs, with some experts predicting the region may surpass the West as early as this year. Global Google search interest for the term “NFT” surged past “crypto” in January, with the search engine’s data showing growth originating in the East. Data from Taiwan, Japan and […]

FIFA, Crypto.com set Qatar World Cup sponsorship deal

Adding to its ambitious roster of sports sponsorships, Crypto.com will be the exclusive cryptocurrency trading platform backing the Qatar World Cup after bagging the deal for an undisclosed amount, the international soccer association announced on Wednesday, Asia time.  See related article: Crypto.com discloses details of US$34M hack Fast facts Singapore-based Crypto.com stands to gain massive […]

How DeFi can lift up the poor in emerging markets

Traditional banks are failing the nearly 2 billion people in the world without access to financial services, writes Khalid Howladar. But DeFi can be a lifeline.

BSN, China Mobile support local NFTs with new chain launch

China’s state-backed Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) has announced the addition of “Zhong Yi Chain,” developed by telecommunications giant China Mobile, to its open permissioned blockchain ecosystem to bolster the growth of home-grown non-fungible tokens (NFTs). See related article: BSN to integrate CasperLabs’ chain to support NFT issuance in China Fast facts The new chain serves […]

Malaysia’s crypto proposal; Hong Kong’s 11-yr-old NFT coder

A Malaysian minister has proposed making Bitcoin a legal tender. Meanwhile in Hong Kong, an 11-year-old programmer makes his way into the NFT business.

More courts in China accept blockchain-stored evidence

Sichuan and Inner Mongolia are two regions that recently announced their first cases using blockchain-stored evidence, local media reports. See related article: How blockchain technology is shaking up courtrooms in Asia Fast facts See related article: Court in China says trading in cryptocurrency ‘not protected by law’

Malaysia ministry: adopt crypto as legal tender to engage the young

Malaysia’s deputy minister of its Communications and Multimedia Ministry told the parliament on Monday the country should consider adopting cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as legal tender, local media The Star reported. See related article: Will El Salvador’s lead on Bitcoin inspire others to follow suit? Fast facts Zahidi Zainul Abidin, the deputy minister, said the communications […]

The Flippening: When will Ethereum overtake Bitcoin?

Ethereum’s market value passing up Bitcoin’s may not be a matter of if, but when. Dr. Kosrow Dehnad and Joe Duncan offer a predictive model.
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India’s crypto GST plan; Australia’s crypto reforms

South Korea prepares for the imposition of FATF travel rule heat up. Meanwhile in Australia, reforms are set to be introduced for the crypto sector.

Australia may regulate DAOs under senator’s proposed act

Australian senator Andrew Bragg called for “urgent” regulation of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) under the nation’s Corporations Act as part of his Digital Services Act proposal at Blockchain Week Australia on Monday.  See related article: ​​New crypto regulation — including tax reform — coming to Australia Fast facts DAOs can replace companies and are therefore […]

Taiwan’s MaiCoin crypto exchange mulls Nasdaq listing: report

MaiCoin, Taiwan’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, is considering a Nasdaq listing within two years, Bloomberg reported on Friday. See related article: Taiwan has a chance to develop crypto amid China’s clampdown, Filecoin Foundation director says Fast facts MaiCoin is also completing its Series C funding round which would value the company at US$400 million. MaiCoin expects […]

India may impose 28% GST on crypto transactions

The Indian government is working to determine whether cryptocurrencies can be classified as goods or services, which can impose a different taxation scheme on digital assets, local media reported. See related article: India’s crypto tax will incur losses for government, says WazirX CEO Fast facts Government officials believe crypto trading is similar to gambling and […]

Russian bank given crypto license: China to monitor outflows

As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine rages on and sanctions continue to mount, Russia-based bank Sberbank obtains a crypto license from the Central Bank of Russia. Meanwhile in China, social media platform Weibo allows its users to mint NFTs of their social media posts.

From crisis currency to consumer adoption: What next for crypto?

Cryptocurrencies have won credit for their role in Ukraine’s war, showing utility that will drive them beyond the battlefield, says Amber Group’s Michael Wu.

Russia’s Sberbank obtains crypto license from central bank

The Central Bank of Russia has given the country’s largest bank, Sberbank, a license to issue and exchange digital assets only two months after the central bank had called for a full ban on cryptocurrency. See related article: Russia retreats from crypto ban as it pushes rules for industry Fast facts The move may allow […]

Ukraine legalizes crypto; Korea’s crypto policy ideas

Ukrainian President signs a digital assets bill into law. Meanwhile in China, Cannan plans to buy back shares.

Indonesia’s crypto scene is booming. What are the risks?

Crypto’s growing popularity is also leading to more fraud and abuses, writes Ronald Molenaar of ADVANCE.AI. What can be done to better protect users?

Renewables uptake: Bitcoin the problem or solution?

There is more to transitioning to renewable energy than one might expect, and in Australia, one Bitcoin mining company says the industry can play a role.

China highlights crypto crimes; Kazakh miners busted

Chinese authorities cracked down on crypto related crimes on Consumer Rights Day. Meanwhile in Kazakhstan, the former President’s brother was busted for illegal crypto mining operations.

Bitcoin avoids European ban as lawmakers decline to outlaw ‘proof of work’

Top blockchain and crypto news: PoW spared as Europe revamps MiCA rules. Yuga Labs acquires CryptoPunks rights. China’s Mango TV makes NFT debut.

China lashes out at crypto fraud on World Consumer Rights Day

No more Burger King, Nike and Muji. This year’s annual focus on marketplace abuse names and shames crypto scams.

Bitcoin wakes up to pass $40,000 before going back to sleep

Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, crossed the US$40,000-mark on Wednesday morning Asia time after a sudden surge before returning to its pre-surge price in less than two hours.  See related article: Bitcoin leads market-wide downturn as Russia fears rise Fast facts Bitcoin’s price has remained steady for the past five days, and its […]

Terra founder bets millions on LUNA’s annual growth

Terraform Labs CEO and founder Do Kwon has accepted bets worth millions of dollars on Terra’s cryptocurrency LUNA trading higher than US$88 in a year’s time, which was the price of the token at the time of the bet. See related article: Is Terra — whose LUNA coin is now at another all-time high — […]

Ex-Kazakh president’s brother busted for illegal crypto mining

Former Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev’s brother Bolat Nazarbayev was among 106 illegal cryptocurrency miners to halt operations in the government’s latest round of inspections, the Financial Monitoring Agency announced on Tuesday. See related article: Kazakhstan busts 13 illegal Bitcoin mining farms amid power concerns Fast facts See related article: Crypto mining’s Great Migration continues — […]

Crypto is playing a prominent role in the Ukraine War — on both sides of the conflict

Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, two divergent narratives about crypto are being told, writes Alex Tapscott. Which version is correct?

ConsenSys raises $450M in Series D, raises valuation to $7B

Ethereum software developer ConsenSys announced on Tuesday it has raised US$450 million in Series D funding, bringing its valuation to US$7 billion. See related article: New Cosmos, Mastercard projects to boost Ethereum scalability Fast facts The latest funding round was led by ParaFi Capital, with investors including Temasek, SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Microsoft. The […]

Singapore imposes sanctions; Bitcoin bucks market trend

Crypto exchange Binance has won a license to operate in Bahrain. Meanwhile in Southeast Asia, Singapore’s Monetary Authority has designated Russian banks amid growing sanctions.

Which altcoins will take center stage in 2022?

Investors believe Bitcoin will stand its ground this year but in the altcoins world, some rising stars are brimming with potential.

Singapore targets designated Russian banks amid sanctions

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has imposed financial measures targeting designated Russian banks, entities and activities in Russia, and fundraising activities benefiting the Russian government, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. See related article: Singapore prohibits crypto, NFT transactions in sanctions against Russia Fast facts An MAS notice named the designated banks as […]

How crypto is driving diversity and gender equality

While crypto used to be associated with a ‘bro’ culture, it is now maturing into a hotbed for inclusivity, writes Cynthia Wu of Matrixport.

EU votes against de facto Bitcoin mining ban

The European Parliament voted on Monday against a de facto ban on cryptocurrencies that rely on energy-intensive proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanisms, such as Bitcoin, from its proposed Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework. See related article: How serious is the threat of Bitcoin mining to the environment? Fast facts The Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs […]

Singapore’s crypto future; Korea “White Day” NFTs a hit

Singapore’s image as a “crypto hub” may soon change as the country doubles-down on it’s stance that crypto currency is “not suitable for the general public”. Meanwhile, Korean convenience store giants CU launch their White Day NFT competition.

Japan urges crypto exchanges to comply with Russian sanctions

Japan’s Financial Services Agency and Ministry of Finance jointly announced penalties on crypto exchanges that do not comply with sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, following G7 vows to tighten crypto sanctions. See related article:  Russians turn to crypto as Western sanctions hit the ruble Fast facts See related article: Russia faces crypto […]

How Singapore is reimagining its ‘Asian crypto hub’ image

The Lion City has been the place to be for crypto firms, but retail activity is slowing down while the central bank continues to build a haven for institutional investors.

20,000 line up for S.Korean convenience store’s NFTs on White Day

South Korean convenience store CU’s non-fungible token (NFT) collectibles airdrop event for White Day, a local romantic holiday, drew in more than 20,000 applications.  Read related article: Samsung-backed university to issue NFTs to select graduates Fast facts March 14 is celebrated as White Day in Japan and Korea, where men return the favor to women […]

US bill targets e-CNY; Russian sanctions hurting public

Blockchain data analysis platform Chainalysis has launched a set of free sanction screening tools. Meanwhile, lawmakers in the US take aim at China’s digital yuan, or e-CNY, while Russian sanctions begin to highlight issues with financial sovereignty as hundreds of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian civilians are caught in the financial crossfire.

Two sides to every coin: Crypto as a weapon in the fight for Ukraine

Cryptocurrency is being used both to fund Ukraine’s defense and prevent Russia’s ability to skirt sanctions in what may become a pivotal moment for the industry.

A crypto bull wins the presidency: What it means for South Korea

ICOs, revamped taxation, and investor protection reverse a past crypto reluctance under the incoming administration.

Polkadot is top crypto held by VCs and hedge funds in Q4 2021

Around 42% of venture capital and hedge funds investing in crypto are betting on the success of Polkadot’s smart contracts platform, according to Messari’s fund analysis. See related article: What is Polkadot and why is it one of the hottest blockchains right now?  Fast facts Polkadot was the most commonly held altcoin in Q4 last […]

Tomorrowland wants to bring music to Web 3.0 with FTX Europe

Global cryptocurrency exchange FTX’s European arm announced a partnership with Tomorrowland on Thursday with goals to bring blockchain and Web 3.0 applications to the popular electronic music festival. Fast facts The partners will explore Web 3.0 applications such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for art, music, ticketing, as well as crypto payments and metaverse events.   The […]

Chainalysis launches crypto wallet sanction screening tools

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis announced the launch of two screening tools on Friday that will allow cryptocurrency wallet owners to determine if wallets are compliant with global sanctions efforts and will be provided free of charge to the crypto industry.  See related article: Coinbase blocks 25,000 Russian crypto wallet addresses Fast facts Centralized exchanges widely […]

Sanctions expand for Belarus; Korea’s crypto promises

As the Russia-Ukraine conflict rages on, the European Union says that crypto is included in the sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Meanwhile, South Korean President-Elect Yoon Suk-Yeol’s term in office could bring about long awaited changes in the crypto sector.

Russians turn to crypto as Western sanctions hit the ruble

As Russia’s economy began to tank, data shows many turned to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a store of value and means of transacting.

India’s crypto tax will incur losses for government, says WazirX CEO

India’s plans for a 1% tax deducted at source (TDS) on every crypto transaction will result in huge losses for the government, Indian crypto exchange WazirX founder Nischal Shetty said on Wednesday.  See related article: Indians see future in crypto, government sees revenue, FM says Fast facts Shetty argued more revenue is to be expected […]

EU says crypto included in sanctions against Russia and Belarus

The European Union (EU) said on Wednesday that crypto assets fall under the scope of “transferable securities” in its sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus. See related article: Russian banks turn to China’s UnionPay as Visa, Mastercard pull plug Fast facts The EU is extending its sanctions to Belarus for its involvement in Russia’s invasion […]

China seizes mining rigs; Ukraine crypto backlash warning

In China. authorities bust a mining operation disguised as an E-V charging station. Going into Europe, Ukraine reiterates it’s calls for a blanket ban as the Russians try and preserve the value of the ruble.

Russia faces crypto freeze as exchanges toe line on sanctions

Top blockchain and crypto news: Moscow faces crypto winter. DeFi doyen quits Fantom. China mulls metaverse moves.

Thailand eases crypto tax burden until 2023 to promote industry

Thailand crypto investor tax burdens are being relaxed from April 2022 until the end of 2023, according to the results of a finance ministry cabinet meeting on Tuesday.  See related article: Thailand to regulate cryptocurrency as payment method Fast facts The cabinet approved tax relief measures, including the exemption of a 7% value-added tax (VAT) […]

China busts crypto mining rigs disguised as EV charging ports

Local authorities have seized 1,106 mining rigs from two cities in China’s southeastern province of Guangdong.  See related article: China customs seizes 49 second-hand crypto mining rigs for export Fast facts The Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission announced on Tuesday that it had uncovered a mining farm in Guangzhou disguised as electric vehicle (EV) […]

Public will boycott crypto firms serving Russians: Ukraine minister

Cryptocurrency exchanges will face public backlash if they continue to operate in Russia, Alex Bornyakov, Ukraine deputy minister of digital transformation, said in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, reiterating his call for a blanket ban on Russian crypto traders. See related article: Coinbase blocks 25,000 Russian crypto wallet addresses Fast facts “Private business decides […]

How will digital money play into banking’s future?

Blockchain technology is rapidly transforming the finance sector. DBS Bank CEO Piyush Gupta offers an insider’s look at what’s coming next.

Coinbase blocks Russian addresses; Philippines plans CBDC

US crypto exchange Coinbase has blacklisted 25,000 Russian wallet address in response to the ongoing Russian-Ukraine conflict. Meanwhile in Asia, English-language newspaper South China Morning Post announces the launch of its metaverse experience.