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NFT double disruption?; Web3 women celebrated

The NEAR foundation, in partnership with Forkast, has announced the Women in Web3 winners.

NFTs are democratizing content creator revenue | The Great Disruption Ep. 12

Did you know that artists received about 12% of the music industry’s 2017 revenue? The other 88% was swallowed by record labels, managers, and numerous other business intermediaries. Can blockchain decentralize the music industry and drive more artist empowerment? Find out in this Forkast video explainer.  What you’ll learn: How non-fungible tokens (NFTs) can be […]

How decentralized crowdfunding is becoming essential in emergencies | The Great Disruption Ep. 11

In February 2020, Canadian banks froze assets of truckers protesting against vaccine mandates called Freedom Convoy. This is known as financial censorship and it can happen to anyone. Can decentralized crowdfunding combat financial censorship? Find out in this Forkast video explainer.  What you’ll learn: How financial censorship highlights the downsides of centralized crowdfunding. How Freedom […]

Protecting your intellectual property via tokenization | The Great Disruption Ep. 09

Protecting an artist’s intellectual property can be difficult in the digital age. Proving a stolen track or digital painting belongs to its creator seemed to be impossible in the near past. Can non-fungible tokens (NFTs) bring more artist empowerment and protect digital property rights? Find out in this Forkast video explainer.  What you’ll learn: What […]

Blockchain as the self-sovereign identity layer of Web3 | The Great Disruption Ep. 10

The big data market had an estimated value of US$162.2 billion in 2021, where most of the revenue came from personal data. As centralized online platforms are generating eye-watering revenues from users’ digital footprints, data owners and producers get nothing in return. Can blockchain-based Web3 identity return personal data ownership to users? Find out in […]

Getting rid of remittance fees with blockchain | The Great Disruption Ep. 08

Did you know that average global transactions cost up to 6.5% in remittance fees? This can even go up to 20% for certain countries. Some developing nations pay up to US$600 billion in remittances every year. Could blockchain offer a better option for cross-border transactions? Find out in this Forkast video explainer.  What you’ll learn: […]

How blockchain is banking the unbanked | The Great Disruption Ep. 07

Most banks offer short-term loans for emergency situations. But what about the 1.7 billion adults around the world with no access to banking services? Can blockchain offer an alternative solution? Find out in this Forkast video explainer.  What you’ll learn: How lack of banking infrastructure affects underdeveloped regions. How blockchain can democratize access to banking […]

How DAOs create transparency in government operations | The Great Disruption Ep. 06

Centralized government structures have been in place for centuries. The model is often criticized for inefficiencies and lack of transparency. Can decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) become the future standard for community governance? Find out in this Forkast video explainer.  What you’ll learn: How DAOs can make enhance government operations. How blockchain can decentralize and secure […]

RBI wants its CBDC to bring ‘little or no disruption’

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is aligning its central bank digital currency (CBDC) design with monetary policy objectives and financial stability, the central bank said in its annual report.  See related article: Report: Stablecoins, CBDCs may not resolve financial inclusion, international remittance challenges Fast facts Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in February the RBI […]

How blockchain is creating a more inclusive voting system | The Great Disruption Ep. 05

Did you know that 38% of Americans lack confidence in election fairness? No wonder, since the paper ballot voting system has been in place since the beginning of the 19th century. Can a blockchain-based voting system restore trust in democratic elections? Learn more about the promise of blockchain voting in this Forkast video explainer. What […]

How blockchain is solving the climate crisis | The Great Disruption Ep. 04

Did you know that the supply chain is responsible for 90% of companies’ environmental impact? This is because our fragmented logistics process doesn’t account for the environmental cost of the products. Can blockchain help create a global environmental standard? Find out in this Forkast video explainer.  What you’ll learn: How blockchain can track the environmental […]

Digital assets can protect your purchasing power from rising inflation | The Great Disruption Ep 03

As U.S. inflation hit a 41-year record, people are looking for ways to protect their purchasing power. Beyond precious metals like gold and silver, could blockchain-based digital assets offer a better store of value for everyday consumers? What you’ll learn: Why the rising inflation rates are a threat to our purchasing power. How average consumers […]

Blockchain-based financial systems are creating more financial neutrality | The Great Disruption Ep 02

While the banking system has been working well for citizens in first-world economies, people in underdeveloped regions often struggle to gain access to the same financial services that others are taking for granted. Can a blockchain-based financial system restore financial neutrality and bank the world’s unbanked? Find out in this Forkast.News video explainer.  What you’ll […]

Solving the privacy issues of the financial system with Zero-Knowledge Proofs | The Great Disruption Ep 01

From credit card transactions to shopping habits and browsing histories, our digital footprints are recorded and preserved in centralized databases. These data are monetized for profit by third parties. Could blockchain-based Zero-Knowledge Proof put an end to mass surveillance? Find out in this Forkast.News video explainer. What you’ll learn: What is financial surveillance and how […]

How to improve data security during Covid disruptions

Working from home heightens computer security risks and the need for good data governance. What are the best practices for safeguarding critical data?

VC deals are slowing in Covid-19 headwinds. Will we see bigger disruption?

Investment totals are down, but deals are still being inked and alternative fundraising methods are flourishing. What kind of investments will thrive? And which ones will likely flop?

Opinion | Why the Cryptocurrency Exchange Model Is Prime for Disruption

Ever since the discovery of blockchain technology, we’ve heard a lot about inefficient systems that it can fix. From the internet to advertising, healthcare, the voting system, and the supply chain; the list of things that aren’t working optimally is long and laden with overpromises. Blockchain is not a panacea for all the world’s ills, […]

Solana’s second smartphone hits 100,000 pre-orders

The blockchain company’s latest mobile venture for a US$450 pre-order price per phone brings in US$45 million for Solana.

Why a16z chose London for its first non-US office

Silicon Valley venture giant Andreessen Horowitz plants flag in London: fuels UK’s ascent as a Web3 innovator.

How blockchain can fortify children’s online safety

Colossal failures in online age verification have opened the floodgates for kids to access harmful content and become ‘friends’ with adult strangers. Can encrypted decentralized IDs put a stop to all that?

Binance’s rollercoaster week: expansion, setbacks, and the ghost of FTX’s collapse

Top blockchain and crypto news: Is Japan a new frontier for Binance? AI art sweeps NFT sales. ETF buzz electrifies Bitcoin.

Digital frontiers: Alex Tapscott on Web3, AI, and banking’s new dance

From tech monopolies to the synergy of AI and blockchain, Alex Tapscott, author of “Web3: Charting the Internet’s Next Economic and Cultural Frontier,” dissects the trajectories of the digital landscape.

Will Singapore steady the stablecoin ship?

Top blockchain and crypto news: Singapore steps up stablecoin rules. DeGods decline. Hong Kong’s third crypto license.

Who do you trust the most to keep your Bitcoin safe?

Storing crypto on an exchange risks theft and hacks. But DIY can also be perilous — just ask the guy who accidentally trashed a hard drive and his Bitcoin fortune.

Why smart money is pushing the big idea of ‘purpose-bound money’: Opinion

Recently proposed by Singapore in collaboration with fintech heavy hitters, PBM can be a powerful tool for promoting accountability and efficiency, writes Anndy Lian. But it’s not without risks.

First aid kits, boots and batteries — how small but significant crypto funds are used in global conflicts

As war rages in eastern Europe, this first installment in a two-part series looks at the growing use of crypto funding in global conflicts, focusing on the small but significant provision of supplies to pro-Russian mercenary groups in Ukraine.
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Cryptos show resilience; BNB gains on Binance Japan launch

Bitcoin, Ether and most other top ten tokens gained Wednesday morning in Asia, with BNB leading winners after Binance Japan launch.

Manta Network developer p0x Labs raises US$25 million for Asia expansion

P0x Labs, the developer behind layer-1 zero-knowledge blockchain Manta Network, has secured US$25 million for the Network’s expansion in Asia.

The future of finance is tokenized. Get on board or get left behind: Opinion

Change won’t happen overnight, but tokenization is a trend that will trigger seismic shifts in the financial landscape, writes Hamilton Keats of Krayon Digital.

Why culture and ownership are critical to the metaverse: Opinion

As stores of our identity, customs and creativity, NFTs will drive Web3 adoption and become central to the new digital economy, writes Yat Siu, executive chairman of Animoca Brands.

How Web3 is disrupting gaming business models and player economics: Opinion

From pay-to-play arcade video games to sales of home consoles, gaming’s evolution into peer-to-peer marketplaces is posing a new challenge to the status quo, writes Jackson Poon.

Bitcoin flat, Ether gains in mixed crypto market; Solana rebounds, Litecoin leads winners

Bitcoin traded flat above US$30,000 while most other leading tokens were mixed. Litecoin and Solana saw the biggest gains among the top 10.

Crypto gets a boost following reports of Fidelity’s imminent Bitcoin spot ETF filing

Top blockchain and crypto news: Fidelity Investment is reportedly close to filing its own Bitcoin ETF. NFT traders seek liquidity. Singapore eyes asset tokenization.

Bitcoin treads water above US$30,000; SEC approves first leveraged Bitcoin futures ETF

Bitcoin held ground above US$30,000 following a week of traditional financial institutions showing interest in financial instruments that include the token. The U.S. regulator approved the first leveraged Bitcoin Futures ETF on Friday.

Bitcoin, Ether extend losses; XRP drops most among top 10 cryptos

Bitcoin and Ether continued to slide amid lawsuits against top crypto exchanges in the U.S.

Bitcoin rises above US$26,000; all other top 10 cryptos gain as U.S. regulatory battle rumbles on

All top 10 cryptos, including Binance’s BNB, gained on Tuesday afternoon trade in Asia for the first time this week amid ongoing lawsuits with the U.S. SEC.

Bitcoin drops below US$27,000, Dogecoin biggest loser

Bitcoin dropped 2.33% to US$26,671. Ether lost 2.15% but traded above US$1,800.
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All top 10 cryptos rise; Hotbit crypto exchange shuts down; U.S. stock futures drop

Bitcoin gained 1.71% and Ether climbed 2.35%. Polygon gained the most in 24 hours followed by Tron.
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Bitcoin, top 10 cryptos fall except Tron; U.S. futures slightly up; Asian equities rise

Bitcoin traded below US$27,000 in Monday afternoon trade in Asia.
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Bitcoin, Ether fall, Solana leads declines; U.S. stock futures trade flat; Asian equities mixed

Bitcoin fell 0.58% while Ether dropped 0.36%. Solana was the biggest loser of the day, dropping 1.67%.
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How DeFi can keep out bad apples while upholding crypto’s core ideals

Crypto users need not fear the increasing KYC/AML requirements around the world and loss of privacy, writes Kurt Hemecker of the Mina Foundation. Here’s why.

Bitcoin, Ether push higher, Litecoin biggest gainer in top 10 cryptos; U.S. stock futures, Asian equities gain

Bitcoin rose 2.07% to US$27,409 in 24 hours while Ether gained 1.27% to US$1,829. Litecoin was the biggest gainer of the day, rising 7.65%.
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Bitcoin, Ether edge up; Litecoin leads winners, Matic the losers; U.S. equity futures flat

Bitcoin edged higher on Wednesday morning in Asia to hold above the US$27,500 mark. Ether also gained. Other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens traded mixed.

Bitcoin inscriptions: Are Ordinals a boon or a drag on the network?

Now that the Bitcoin Ordinals genie is out of the bottle, a debate is raging about whether they’re good for the original blockchain and their long-term consequences.

SEC ‘crypto mom’ Hester Peirce attacks U.S. regulator’s new exchange definition on DeFi

SEC member Hester Peirce has criticized the regulatory agency for its proposal that seeks to expand the definition of an “exchange” to DeFi platforms.

AI has taken over crypto’s share of VC funding, says Mysten Labs founder

Crypto’s share of venture capital money is now going to artificial intelligence, says Mysten Labs founder, Evan Cheng.

The Web3 dilemma of data transparency vs. the need for user privacy — and a way to solve it

Storing personal information in a centralized place has been a honeypot for hackers, while decentralized identity allows for greater trust and data security, writes Caria Wei of Nuvo.

Web3 is not all about ‘ownership’ — it’s so much more

Ownership is only one feature of Web3. The more important and defining characteristic is ‘verifiability,’ writes Jonathan Victor of Protocol Labs.

Bitcoin, Ether extend declines amid U.S. lawsuit against Binance; Asian equities mixed

Bitcoin and Ether continued to fall in Tuesday afternoon trade in Asia, along with most other top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, after regulators in the U.S. pulled up Binance, the world’s biggest crypto exchange, for allegedly violating trading mandates.
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G7 nations set to push for stricter cryptocurrency regulations at Japan summit in May

The Group of Seven industrial countries will discuss tougher rules on cryptocurrencies to improve transparency, protect investors.

Bitcoin gains as investors diversify amid worries about banking system; U.S. equity futures rise

Bitcoin and the other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies rose on Monday morning in Asia, as investors diversify amid the ongoing banking turmoil.

Hong Kong blockchain initiatives natural evolution for finance hub, says Signum Digital CEO

Hong Kong’s new crypto licensing regime isn’t the only bullish sign for the city’s digital asset industry, says Signum Digital, the first company to win a preliminary license to handle securitized tokens in the city.

Death and crypto taxes: Which one inspires greater dread?

Filing taxes on crypto assets is a ‘massive pain in the proverbial butt,’ writes Don Gossen of Nevermined. As IRS deadlines loom large, how can responsible investors avoid underreporting or overpaying?

Circle’s USDC bounces back after Silicon Valley Bank bust

Top blockchain and crypto news: USDC stabilizes after SVB collapse. Silvergate closes shop. China tightens financial supervision.

Why DAO governance is riddled with problems and voting is a farce

DAOs are supposed to be democratic, egalitarian and inclusive, but those ideals are far from the current reality, writes Awa Sun Yin of Namada.

Bitcoin, Ether rise; Polygon leads rebound in top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin and Ether rose in Thursday morning trading in Asia, along with all top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies. Polygon led the gains.

Why DeFi remains niche and what might get it out of its market rut

DeFi is still a Wild West, and many would-be users are wary of its lawlessness and anonymity. Could decentralized IDs foster greater trust and growth in the sector?

DOJ, FBI hack Hive Network, save US$130 mln from crypto ransomware attacks

The FBI and the DOJ have concluded a month-long disruption campaign against the Hive ransomware group, preventing victims from having to pay US $130 million.

Why Europe’s DORA regulation is a band aid but not a cure

EU’s new Digital Operational Resilience Act aims to help firms withstand cyberattacks. Monica Oravcova of Naoris Protocol explains why it doesn’t go far enough.

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin up over 21% in best weekly performance since Feb. 2021. Bull run or bull trap?

Bitcoin’s price has had its best weekly run up since February 2021 in the seven days through Jan. 18, but is that the start of a bull run or setting up the optimists for a sucker punch? Experts share their predictions with Forkast.

How Web3 can make travel less stressful for future holidays

The travel sector has many pain points and is ripe for disruption, writes Freddie Hickman of Hyper SQ. Here’s what blockchain can do, from tracking baggage to letting you resell your no-longer-wanted air ticket.

SEC advises public firms to disclose crypto risks

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has advised publicly-listed firms to disclose their exposure to the cryptocurrency market, in light of the fallout of the FTX collapse.

Will the next wave of FTX victims be unwitting tax cheats?

When a crypto exchange fails, will your transaction records vanish, too? Here’s why investors should take responsibility over their own trading data.

Input Output announces privacy-centric blockchain and token on Cardano

Input Output Global Inc. (IOG), the firm behind the Cardano blockchain, is releasing a new data-protection and privacy-centric blockchain and accompanying token.

How soulbound tokens can lift billions of lives around the world

What are soulbound tokens, and how can they end the ‘credit paradox’ that has been holding back the unbanked masses? Fakhul Miah of CreDA explains.

India shortlists nine banks to start CBDC trial from Nov. 1

India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), will pilot the country’s first digital rupee in the wholesale segment (e₹-W) from Nov. 1 and has identified nine banks for participation in the trial. 

Reinventing banking: Why is Standard Chartered so drawn to Web3?

Institutional adoption of Web3 in finance means getting traditional banks involved, which will in turn reshape the way banks work, says SC Ventures’ Alex Manson.

Is crypto suffering from the same ills as TradFi?

Centralized lenders like Celsius and Voyager have proven hugely problematic, but DeFi also has big issues. What if we pursue a hybrid approach?

US Treasury says Congress needs to act to mitigate crypto risk to stability

The Financial Stability Oversight Council report says the lack of clear regulations in the cryptocurrency industry could pose a risk to overall U.S. financial stability and urges congress to write up new rules of the road.

Coinbase says it resolved glitch that blocked trades from U.S. bank accounts

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase Global Inc. said it resolved technical issues on Sunday night that had prevented U.S. bank account users from making payments or withdrawals for most of the day.  See related article: Coinbase gets nod from Dutch central bank to offer crypto services Fast facts “We’ve fully resolved this issue and ACH transfers are […]

Capital gains: How Web3 property rights can transform the digital economy

Digital ownership enabled by Web3 tech can challenge the monopolistic dynamics of Web2 and give people real equity, says Animoca Brands chief Yat Siu

Binance stablecoin conversion controversial, but what does it mean for users?

Binance generated controversy when it told customers it would convert their holdings in three stablecoins to its own stablecoin. Some analysts say the concerns are overblown, others disagree.