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Hong Kong Monetary Authority intensifies its CBDC efforts with a new study into ‘hybrid’ digital currencies and private CBDC-backed stablecoins.

Countries around the world are exploring central bank digital currencies. But US and European central bank leaders say they value stability over speed.

As XRP holders step closer to intervening in SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple, the payment platform gears up to grow its CBDC business with a new white paper.

From JPM Coin to payments on Ethereum in outer space, JPMorgan’s Onyx division is pushing the blockchain frontiers in traditional banking.

Boosted by state incentives, companies in China are filing more blockchain patent applications than anywhere else. But how many patents got awarded?

Cardano’s ADA, up by 7,400% since last year, is now the 3rd most popular cryptocurrency in the world. Why is it called a ‘Ethereum killer’? Let’s find out.

Another financially troubled Chinese company turns to blockchain to improve its bottom line — this time, by buying up cryptocurrency a la Tesla.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: As China tightens vise on crypto, Beijing to host 60-artist crypto art exhibition featuring NFT superstar Beeple.

XRP holders’ motion to join as third-party defendant was denied without prejudice as Ripple tries to bolster its ‘fair notice’ defense against SEC.

The race is on as crypto-native players and traditional banks ramp up cryptocurrency custody services for investors who can’t or don’t want to do it themselves

In new legal filings, XRP holders blame SEC for causing ‘multi-billions in losses’ and say they intend to file a class-action lawsuit against the agency.

GameStop’s drama is over, but it may signal big changes ahead for finance. Here’s why one former banker thinks ‘DeFi is going to absorb traditional finance.’

China’s Twitter-like platform disabled the crypto exchanges’ accounts on the same day China vowed to ‘crack down’ on businesses that sound like crypto.

In a special roundtable, top women in blockchain and crypto share leadership tips and how to give your daughter ‘a fabulous career when she grows up.’

Intensifying its legal warfare against XRP, SEC takes aims at the heart of Ripple’s defense. But Ripple scores wins in Tetragon and YouTube lawsuits.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Ethereum takes up with Amazon, plans gas fee changes. China likely to increase blockchain spending.

As debate rages over whether India should ban private cryptos in favor of a central bank digital currency, a case could be made that India needs both.

In its latest court filing, Ripple also says SEC led market to believe that XRP was not an investment contract. Outside court, Ripple pursues the CBDC business.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Goldman Sachs, more big banks line up behind bitcoin. Short-sellers probe crypto miners in China.

Cardano blockchain, a so-called ‘Ethereum killer,’ completes its Mary hard fork upgrade as ADA becomes 3rd largest cryptocurrency behind bitcoin and ether.

Despite recent bitcoin and ether price drops, crypto giants Coinbase and CoinShares are betting that investment in digital assets will continue to grow.

China, UAE, Hong Kong, Thailand and Bank for International Settlements collaborate on ‘m-CBDC Bridge’ digital currency project for cross-border payments.

CasperLabs, a new smart contract blockchain network, announces its CSPR token sale — which CTO Medha Parlikar likens to a ‘gas futures market.’

Other top blockchain and crypto news: Bill Gates on bitcoin. Nvidia protects gamers from crypto miners with separate CMP and GeForce RTX graphics cards.

Ripple and SEC face off in a pretrial conference as MoneyGram, the world’s second largest money transfer provider, suspends trading on Ripple’s platform.

Eugene Ng of Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange that recently expanded in Singapore, explains why the Lion City is good for doing crypto business.

Decentralized apps like DLive are gaining attention since the violent attack on the US Capitol. How will this affect the wider adoption of blockchain DApps?

How can blockchain improve vaccine logistics? Forkast.News examines the frontiers of blockchain technology in this last article of a special five-part series.

Congress investigates links between Robinhood, Citadel, Reddit’s WallStreetBets and GME prices amid shifting investor interest to cryptocurrency and DeFi.

Other top blockchain and crypto news: DeFi under Fed study. Andrew Yang, Wyoming vie for crypto attention. Hong Kong and India edge toward crypto bans.

Blockchain Research Institute’s Don Tapscott outlines how Biden administration can lead technology policy for US to stay ahead in the innovation race.

As press freedoms come under attack around the world, blockchain and distributed ledger technology are emerging to protect journalism.

Jim Nasr, CEO of blockchain application developer Acoer explains how distributed ledger techology could bolster trust in journalism.

Tesla’s bitcoin dive is recharging an already hot crypto market, worsening the run on new mining equipment and heating up the second-hand rig market.

Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb has resumed selling his XRP holdings, dumping 130 million tokens over the last week, according to data from XRPscan.

Speeding Covid vaccines to market also led to confusion and waste. Here’s how blockchain can plug the gaps in the vaccine supply and distribution chain.

CEO of CasperLabs, part of the Blockchain Service Network’s China and international versions, gives an insider’s view of blockchain’s future on the mainland.

Other top blockchain and crypto news: ETH hits new high with CME Ethereum futures. DeFi yawns at YFI attack. China steps up DCEP digital yuan tests.

The Blockchain Research Institute-led report for Biden’s administration also outlines recommendations for crypto regulations and a national blockchain strategy.

Before Tesla’s bitcoin moves, big money was already placing BTC bets. What are bitcoin’s long-term fundamentals? Geoff Morphy of Bitfarms explains.

Plasm Network, a leading DApps hub on Polkadot and first parachain on its Rococo testnet, secures $2.4 million to build out the growing Polkadot ecosystem.

Tesla has invested $1.5 billion into bitcoin, according to an SEC filing published today. The news sent bitcoin prices rocketing into a new stratosphere.

Casper Network goes big on its ‘first of many’ expansion ambitions in Asia by receiving the nod to join both BSN China and BSN International.

2021 is already shaping up to be a very different bull market for bitcoin compared to the past, writes Kadan Stadelmann of Komodo. Here’s why.

Sharing user data in exchange for free services is not necessarily a bad thing, writes Henri Pihkala of Streamr. The key is transparency and user consent.

As Covid vaccines come to market, immunization programs are being undermined by disinformation and counterfeiting. Here’s how blockchain can help.

Tai’an and WenChang chains join BSN China’s ‘Open Permissioned Blockchain Initiative’ as nation grows its blockchain network while maintaining controls.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: India pushes CBDC and proposes banning crypto. Korea’s DeFi future. How does Bitmain’s drama end?

GME and other r/WallStreetBets-pumped stocks are now down over 50%. But Ethereum prices are soaring to new heights in a wave that’s also lifting Bitcoin and Cardano ADA.

In its response to SEC’s lawsuit, Ripple denies that XRP is a security, points out the clash with FinCEN and questions why SEC is not going after Ethereum.

Formerly named Libra, the Diem stablecoin is now awaiting regulatory approval, writes Ilia Maksimenka of PlasmaPay. What are Diem’s odds of success?

Small investors drove up Dogecoin’s price by 1,000% after the GameStop saga, but money quickly left—and then Ripple’s XRP and Stellar prices went up.

The founder and CEO of the world’s largest crypto exchange explains why he thinks bitcoin prices will keep rising but DeFi won’t be as hot as it was in 2020.

Singapore and Thailand launch the world’s first real-time cross-border digital payment system. Here’s what else is happening in Hong Kong and China.

About half of cryptocurrency users are hobbyists while 15% consider crypto their primary source of income, according to a survey of 61,000 crypto users.

ConsenSys Codefi’s 4Q 2020 report on DeFi trends also predicts more ‘wrapped’ tokens, tranche lending products and Ethereum 2.0 derivatives in 2021.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: BIS touts digital currencies. China’s blockchain network to add CBDCs as payment option.

IOHK and Cardano’s founder also explains why new US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is the ‘single biggest development’ for the crypto industry’s future.

Signal, which exploded in popularity after WhatsApp’s privacy stumbles, may be exploring a business strategy pursued by Big Tech. What are the risks?

How high will bitcoin prices go — and will 2021 be the year of the bitcoin ETF and advanced crypto derivatives? Jay Hao of OKEx looks to the future.

As bitcoin and other digital assets go mainstream, traditional banks want a piece of the action. Singapore’s crypto-friendly regulations are paving the way.

Comparing countries like Ethiopia to ‘China in the 80s,’ Charles Hoskinson of IOHK explains Cardano’s Africa strategy and why the Fortune 500 needs crypto.

Acoer’s founder and CEO offers his predictions for 2021, including blockchain being used to track Covid vaccinations as well as in the war against fake news.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Twitter’s blue sky initiative. In China, Conflux Network wins another government deal.

OKEx CEO speaks candidly on how 2020 was difficult for his crypto exchange, and offers his predictions for DeFi, regulations and CBDCs in year to come.

President-elect Joe Biden has named the former CTFC chief to lead the SEC. What does this mean for Ripple and other crypto firms?

In a special video interview, Binance CEO CZ also explains why — despite DeFi’s spectacular rise up to now — he thinks many current DeFi projects will fail.

Is bitcoin’s volatility worrisome or normal? Binance’s CEO offers bitcoin predictions and insights for 2021, in an exclusive interview with Forkast.News.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: WhatsApp refugees swarm Signal. Bakkt to go public via SPAC. China tests out new DCEP digital yuan e-card.

Securities and Exchange Commission’s acting enforcement chief Marc Berger helped lead high-profile lawsuits against crypto firms, including Ripple and Telegram.

In an exclusive interview, the SEC Commissioner shares her thinking on digital assets, DeFi and wanting her agency to ‘do better’ in the crypto space.

China is investing heavily in blockchain technology in government, dwarfing US levels. Forkast.News examines the growing gap and the paths forward.