August 2022
India’s WazirX says it has no-tolerance policy on illegal activities
Zanmai Labs Private Limited, the firm operating Indian cryptocurrency exchange WazirX, said Tuesday it has a no-tolerance policy towards any “illegal activities”. Users agree to use the exchange in accordance with applicable laws, the company said in a statement. See related article: Tax authorities recover US$9M from India’s biggest crypto exchanges Fast facts WazirX, one […]
Thailand’s central bank to get more power in crypto regulation overhaul: report
Thailand’s central bank will receive more power as the South-East Asian nation steps up regulation of digital assets, said Thai Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. See related article: Thailand bans Bitcoin and crypto payments Fast facts Thailand plans to tighten its supervision of platforms and exchanges that offer trading in cryptocurrencies and other digital assets, Bloomberg […]
India’s WazirX to delist EasyFi
Indian cryptocurrency exchange WazirX will delist and cease trading on all trading pairs for EasyFi (EZ) on Aug. 11. It will continue to support withdrawals of these tokens from WazirX until Nov. 12. See related article: Binance to stop off-chain transfers with India’s WazirX Fast facts WazirX periodically reviews each digital asset it lists and […]
Binance to stop off-chain transfers with India’s WazirX
Leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance will remove the off-chain fund transfer channel between India’s WazirX and itself beginning Aug. 11, following recent regulatory action taken against Zanmai Labs Private Limited, the entity operating WazirX. See related article: Only the big fish will survive as India cracks the whip on crypto: Binance-backed WazirX Fast facts Users will […]
Crypto.com enters South Korea market with two local startup acquisitions
Cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com has forayed into South Korea with two acquisitions — payment service provider PnLink Co. and virtual asset service provider OK-BIT Co., the company said. See related article: Crypto.com, K-pop agency Fantagio enter joint NFT venture Fast facts The Singapore-based company also said it secured registration under South Korea’s electronic financial transaction act […]
Zipmex to release unspecified amount of Bitcoin, Ether to its customers
Crypto exchange Zipmex is planning to release an unspecified amount of Ethereum and Bitcoin on Aug. 11 and 16 respectively, after a suspension of withdrawals from its Z Wallet last month. See related article: Why Singapore may be the ideal place for companies to rebuild post-crypto winter Fast facts The Singapore-based company said on Monday […]
Business as usual at India’s WazirX as Binance distances itself
Indian crypto exchange WazirX said its operations are being conducted as usual, even after Binance denied owning equity in Zanmai Labs, the entity operating WazirX. The spat over ownership — Binance had reportedly acquired WazirX in 2019 — surfaced after Indian authorities reportedly froze US$8 million in WazirX assets, alleging possible violation of foreign exchange laws. […]
Bitget offers ‘protection fund’ to users as emergency insurance
Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Bitget says it has launched a US$200 million “protection fund” to act as an “emergency insurance reserve” to protect user funds when their losses are not a consequence of their own actions or behavior on the platform. See related article: How the crypto winter is laying groundwork for Web3 to reach its […]
Court allows Voyager Digital to return US$270 mln in custodial account to customers
A U.S. bankruptcy court in New York approved crypto platform Voyager Digital’s request to return to customers US$270 million held in a custodial account at Metropolitan Commercial Bank (MCB), the Wall Street Journal reported. See related article: Voyager crypto refund plan unconfirmed; fiat to be returned in full Fast facts The funds at the MCB […]
Blockchain in India got off on wrong foot, says former finance chief
India’s government doesn’t like cryptocurrencies and has made that clear in statements and with heavy taxes on the asset class, but what does that say about blockchain adoption?
India questions Binance-backed WazirX on foreign exchange violations
India’s Directorate of Enforcement (ED), responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting economic crime, is investigating two cases against crypto exchange WazirX under the Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1999 (FEMA), reported local media. See related article: Only the big fish will survive as India cracks the whip on crypto: Binance-backed WazirX Fast facts Zanmai […]
Binance cofounder Yi He to head US$7.5B VC arm Binance Labs
Binance has named cofounder Yi He as the new head of its incubator and venture capital (VC) arm Binance Labs, as the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume works to invest in “projects with the tenacity to thrive in tough market conditions.” See related article: Calling a spade a spade holds Binance’s lesser known […]
Key TPS Capital staffer departs as firm distances itself from 3AC: report
Stefan Chu, who used to head over-the-counter (OTC) trading at TPS Capital, has left the organization as the company seeks to distance itself from the bankrupt hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC), according to a report by The Block. See related article: MAS takes aim at Three Arrows Capital, does not impose penalty Fast facts […]
Recovering crypto from insolvent companies may be easier than you think
A stolen painting may be lost forever, but a fraudulent Bitcoin transaction — with these legal strategies and tracing tools — can lead right to the criminal.
Digital Treasures Center latest to win Singapore’s crypto license
Digital Treasures Center (DTC) became the latest firm to receive the Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to become a regulated Digital Payment Token (DPT) services provider, the company announced on Monday. See related article: Singapore’s central bank says cryptocurrencies have ‘no fundamental value’ Fast facts A full license […]
ETH merge delay concerns; Buterin’s clown call
The ETH2 merge could once again be delayed. Meanwhile, Vitalik Buterin calls Michael Saylor “a total clown”.
KuCoin ETFs to allow NFT purchase with USDT instead of ETH
The new product will help over 20 million KuCoin users to access blue chip non-fungible tokens (NFTs) through direct purchases with USDT, instead of ETH, the cryptocurrency exchange said. See related article: KuCoin dismisses rumors, eyes India for growth: report Fast facts KuCoin is partnering with Fracton Protocol and will initially list five NFT exchange-traded […]
CoinFLEX slashes team to ‘right-size’ for acquisition or partnership
Crypto exchange CoinFLEX has let go a “significant number” of employees to cut costs and focus on its core business, according to a blog post published by the platform’s cofounders Sudhu Arumugam and Mark Lamb. See related article: ‘We’re in a crypto super cycle,’ says CoinFLEX CEO Fast facts The staff cuts and non-staff costs […]
July 2022
Komainu latest to get Dubai’s approval to operate
Digital assets company Komainu has received a provisional license from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to offer cryptocurrency products and services to institutional clients in Dubai, CoinDesk said in a report. See related article: Dubai could be crypto’s promised land, Citi says Fast facts Komainu is the latest to receive approval from Dubai […]
Crypto exchange Bullish’s 2Q average daily volume rises 3-fold on the quarter
Average daily volumes (ADV) at Bullish cryptocurrency exchange in the second quarter of the year rose by about 212% to US$522 million, up from US$167 million in the first quarter, according to a business update released on July 26. The exchange is operated by Bullish (GI) Limited and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission. […]
How cold storage can ward against this crypto winter’s freeze
As the Celsius bankruptcy shows, moving to decentralized ways to hold crypto is not only sensible, it’s what Satoshi envisioned all along, writes Ruben Merre, CEO and cofounder of NGRAVE.
3AC cofounders resurface after five weeks, deny allegations
Three Arrows Capital (3AC) cofounders Su Zhu and Kyle Davies denied allegations by 3AC liquidators that they moved money out of the crypto hedge fund before its collapse. See related article: 3AC founders moved money out of troubled hedge fund, allege liquidators Fast facts Zhu and Davies claimed that they were forced into hiding due […]
KuCoin raises US$10 mln despite cool off in crypto venture funding
KuCoin raised US$10 million from quantitative trading firm Susquehanna International Group (SIG), the crypto exchange said on Friday. See related article: How the crypto winter is laying groundwork for Web3 to reach its potential Fast facts KuCoin plans to use the funds to upgrade the platform’s infrastructure and improve product line-up, the company said. KuCoin […]
Thai SEC seeks additional clarification from Zipmex
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (Thai SEC), has sought clarification from cryptocurrency exchange Zipmex on its decision to freeze withdrawals, according to a statement on its website. See related article: Celsius bankruptcy deepens chill over crypto sector Fast facts The regulatory authority for Thailand’s capital markets, in a letter dated July 20 issued […]
Zipmex extends withdrawal freeze until Friday; no time specified
Singapore-based crypto exchange Zipmex said on Thursday night Hong Kong time (HKT) it will prolong its customer withdrawal freeze until Friday “to prevent any technical issues,” without specifying a time. See related article: Singapore’s MAS to further strengthen crypto regulations Fast facts See related article: Singapore crypto lender reportedly owes retail investors US$363 million
India won’t offer respite from steep crypto taxes
The Indian government won’t reduce taxes on cryptocurrency transactions, a minister said, despite repeated pleas by the industry. See related article: India’s latest tax assault on crypto exchanges starts Friday Fast facts In a written reply to a query in India’s upper house of Parliament, Minister of State for finance Pankaj Chaudhary clarified that the […]
Crypto trading volumes in India recover
Trading volumes at Indian crypto exchanges are recovering on the back of a rally in digital asset prices. Volumes had dropped after the government had imposed steep taxes. See related article: Bitcoin bounces back after US reports worst inflation in 41 years Fast facts Trading volumes at crypto exchange WazirX rose about 35% to US$7.18 […]
Crypto exchange Zipmex freezes withdrawals
Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Zipmex became the latest firm to block customers from withdrawing their tokens, citing volatile market conditions and financial difficulties of its partners, reportedly Babel Finance. See related article: Celsius says users can settle for cash at a discount or go long on crypto Fast facts “Due to a combination of circumstances beyond […]
3AC founders moved money out of troubled hedge fund, allege liquidators
Court filings in Singapore by the lawyers appointed by Three Arrow Capital’s creditors allege money was being moved out of the troubled crypto hedge fund into a company controlled by its founders.
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.
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, […]
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: […]
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, […]
Crypto trading volumes dip to 18-month low amid bear market
Spot and derivatives crypto trading volumes have declined by over 15% since May to around US$4.2 trillion, the lowest since January 2021, Bloomberg reported citing data from CryptoCompare. See related article: Indian crypto trading volume drops as much as 63% after new tax Fast facts In June alone, spot trading volumes dropped by 28% to […]
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 […]
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.
Court gives liquidators green light to claim 3AC assets
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn gave liquidators authority to subpoena and lay claim to bankrupt crypto firm Three Arrows Capital (3AC)’s U.S-based assets on Tuesday. See related article: 3AC crypto contagion spreads to Blockchain.com: report Fast facts Liquidators can subpoena two dozen banks and crypto exchanges to obtain information about the bankrupt crypto hedge fund’s […]
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 […]
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.
Binance gets nod from Spain to offer crypto exchange, custody services
Binance’s third approval in Europe came after the Bank of Spain allowed its Spanish subsidiary to register as a virtual asset services provider (VASP), the world’s largest crypto exchange by volume said Friday. See related article: SEC said to probe Binance for rule violation in 2017 initial coin offering: report Fast facts The registration 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 […]
CoinFLEX deficit rises to US$84 mln; enters recovery arbitration
CoinFLEX has entered arbitration in the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) to recover US$84 million from a “large individual customer,” according to a blog post published by the crypto trading platform’s cofounders Sudhu Arumugam and Mark Lamb on Saturday. See related article: Roger Ver says he will issue statement on default dispute with CoinFLEX […]
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.
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 […]
Voyager crypto firm loaned US$377 mln to Sam Bankman-Fried’s Alameda Research
Alameda Research, the crypto trading firm cofounded by Sam Bankman-Fried, owes Voyager Digital Holdings US$377 million in loans, according to the crypto broker’s new bankruptcy filing. See related article: Three Arrows, Voyager failures raise questions of who is next in crypto fall from grace Fast facts Voyager Digital entered a loan agreement for a revolving […]
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?
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 […]
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.
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 […]
Crypto lender CoinLoan reduces its daily withdrawal limit by 99%
Estonia-based crypto lending platform CoinLoan is slashing its daily withdrawal limit from US$500,000 to US$5,000, in hopes to prevent liquidity-related interruptions due to surges in customer withdrawals. See related article: Three Arrows Capital files for Chapter 15 bankruptcy Fast facts CoinLoan says its decision wasn’t driven by market instability and claims to be “probably the […]
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.
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 […]
Three Arrows Capital files for Chapter 15 bankruptcy
Crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in a federal bankruptcy court in the Southern District of New York on Friday, in hopes to shield its U.S. assets after a court in the British Virgin Islands reportedly ordered the firm into liquidation last week. See related article: Three Arrows Capital […]
OSL cryptocurrency exchange cuts 15% of its staff
Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange OSL is reportedly laying off 40 to 60 employees, or about 15% of its workforce, to join a growing list of digital asset companies in scaling down operations amid tanking cryptocurrency prices. See related article: Coinbase, biggest US crypto exchange, cuts workforce by 18% Fast facts The job cuts are not […]
MAS takes aim at Three Arrows Capital, does not impose penalty
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has “reprimanded” cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) for misleading information and ignoring assets under management (AUM) limits, the central bank said in a statement on Thursday. See related article: Three Arrows Capital lines up for liquidation Fast facts In August 2013, 3AC obtained its registered fund management […]
June 2022
3AC contagion fears; Saylor buys more Bitcoin
3AC has reportedly been told to liquidate. Meanwhile, Microstrategy’s Saylor buys another US$10 million worth of BTC.
India’s latest tax assault on crypto exchanges starts Friday
India’s government can’t seem to decide on following China with an outright ban on crypto trading. So is it bent instead on suffocating traders and exchanges with taxes?
Bitcoin, crypto fall amid reports of 3AC’s court-ordered liquidation
Bitcoin was trading below US$20,000 in late morning trade in Asia on Thursday as reports of a court-ordered liquidation of Three Arrows Capital (3AC) added to fears of a contagion in crypto. See related article: Three Arrows Capital lines up for liquidation Fast facts The world’s largest cryptocurrency fell to as low as US$19,937.79 in […]
Genesis Trading at risk of nine-figure losses in 3AC contagion: report
Crypto market maker and lender Genesis Trading may lose “hundreds of millions” due to its exposure to troubled crypto firms Three Arrows Capital (3AC) and Hong Kong-based lender Babel Finance, CoinDesk reported. See related article: Wall Street seems to sense opportunity in distressed crypto markets Fast facts Genesis is seeking at least partial reimbursement from its […]
Why tougher crypto regulations are urgently needed
Lack of public trust remain a big barrier to crypto adoption, writes Tristan Roozendaal. Here’s why regulators should ‘move fast and break things.’
Three Arrows Capital lines up for liquidation
Crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) has been ordered to liquidate as plummeting crypto prices left the firm unable to repay creditors, Sky News reported. See related article: Contagion risk from Three Arrows Capital weighs on Bitcoin, crypto Fast facts A court in the British Virgin Islands appointed two senior members of global advisory […]
Voyager calls time on Three Arrows as crypto fund teeters on the brink
Top blockchain and crypto news: Three Arrows fallout spreads. BIS calls BS on crypto. Chinese regulatory vacuum chills an NFT platform.
Bitcoin Jesus denies default; Celsius fight back planned
Bitcoin CEO Roger Ver denies defaulting on a loan to CoinFLEX. Meanwhile, Youtuber Bitboy takes aim at Celsius Network.
Roger Ver denies defaulting on US$47 mln loan from CoinFLEX
Early Bitcoin adopter and Bitcoin Cash promoter Roger Ver has denied defaulting on a US$47 million loan in USDC to beleaguered cryptocurrency exchange CoinFLEX. See related article: CoinFLEX to issue US$47 mln in tokens as it waits for ‘crypto whale’ to pay up Fast facts Ver tweeted overnight in Asia time that rumors of the […]
CoinFLEX issues recovery tokens; MAS says cryptos not currencies
CoinFLEX to solve its liquidity problems by issuing a recovery token. Meanwhile, Singapore’s central bank doubts crypto capabilities.
Singapore’s central bank says cryptocurrencies have ‘no fundamental value’
Whither Singapore in the cryptocurrency world? The Monetary Authority of Singapore has some views on that and as with most markets, there are winners and losers.
Voyager Digital issues notice of default to 3AC
Crypto broker Voyager Digital issued a notice of default on Monday to hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC), for failing to service a loan worth about US$665 million. See related article: Amid 3AC exposure, Voyager Digital cuts daily withdrawal limit Fast facts Last week, Voyager said it had asked for US$25 million worth of USD […]
CoinFLEX to issue US$47 mln in tokens as it waits for ‘crypto whale’ to pay up
The crypto derivatives trading platform that halted withdrawals last week will issue the tokens that can be swapped into USDC or its own coin. See related article: Crypto winter ushers in account freezes as platforms feel the chill Fast facts CoinFLEX is issuing “rvUSD” tokens towards an outstanding debt owed by an unnamed high-net-worth individual, […]
S.Korea’s Korbit issues employee IDs in CryptoPunk-like NFTs
South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Korbit said on Monday that it has issued employee identification cards (IDs) in CryptoPunks-inspired non-fungible tokens (NFTs). See related article: NFT credit card in the works for top S. Korean crypto exchange Fast facts Various South Korean industries have experimented with NFTs for official documentation, such as graduation certificates. Korbit, one […]
India’s CoinDCX says it restricted crypto withdrawals
“There is a larger compliance requirement due to evolving regulatory needs resulting in increased scrutiny,” a senior executive at the Coinbase Ventures and B Capital backed cryptocurrency exchange said. See related article: CoinDCX double downs as the going gets tough in India Fast facts “We have restricted crypto withdrawal from our platform,” with users being […]