May 2021
What is Polkadot and why is it one of the hottest blockchains right now?
The final phase of Polkadot’s rollout — with parachains — just kicked off. Here’s what you need to know about Polkadot and parachains, and why it matters.
US dollar dominance waning as CBDCs enter global spotlight
Global US dollar reserves touched a 25-year low in Q4 2020, according to a new IMF report. Will a digital euro and e-RMB muscle in?
ICP takes crypto world by storm. Will Ethereum be the next Bitcoin? Goldman Sachs launches crypto trading desk.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: How Dogecoin copycat SHIB coin vaulted into crypto’s top 20. China unveils fingerprint ID for digital yuan.
Ethereum market cap now half trillion dollars as Ether price hits ATH of $4,360
Ethereum prices rally to new all-time high as Bitcoin’s dominance keeps sliding. Is Ethereum’s upcoming EIP 1559 upgrade boosting its value proposition?
Ethereum prices break $4,000 for first time—what’s driving ETH’s surge?
Is it all those new Ethereum ETFs, rising demand for Ethereum from DeFi and NFTs, or lower gas fees fueling ETH’s price jump to yet another all-time high?
New Asian investment portfolio offers exposure to Canada’s Bitcoin ETFs
Aqumon’s SmartGlobalC aims to meet the rapidly growing demand for Bitcoin exposure for traditional investment portfolios in Asia.
Report: 1.7 million DeFi users now on Ethereum, 50% more since Jan. 1
ConsenSys Codefi’s Q1 report on decentralized finance (DeFi) trends also saw 7x growth in stablecoins and predicts flashbots dominating the Ethereum network.
Ethereum and Dogecoin prices skyrocket. Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto talent search. Mastercard wants in on CBDCs.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: S&P Dow Jones launches Bitcoin and Ethereum indices. Will China crack down on more crypto miners?
How Uniswap V3 and smartBCH seek to streamline DeFi, save on gas
The days of ‘DeFi’ being an insider buzzword are over. But gas fees remain high and the road bumpy. Will Uniswap V3 and smartBCH change anything?
Ethereum breaks new records; South Korea split on crypto tax | The Daily Forkast
As Ethereum continues to soar to new all-time highs, South Korean crypto investors express mix sentiments on crypto tax.
Ethereum prices soar over $3,200, making Vitalik Buterin a billionaire
As ETH prices hit a new ATH and continue to the moon, Ethereum’s visionary creator Vitalik Buterin becomes the youngest ever crypto billionaire.
April 2021
Why more big investors are now seeking interest and yields in DeFi
As corporations plow billions into Bitcoin, a new business model involving decentralized finance is emerging for investors, says Alessio Quaglini of Hex Trust.
PancakeSwap and controversial SafeMoon turbo boost BSC past Ethereum
Is Binance Smart Chain’s meteoric rise from PancakeSwap and cryptocurrency SafeMoon sustainable, and is an ‘Ethereum killer’ now finally closer to reality?
Binance dives into NFT; S.Korea’s FSC checks staff for crypto trading | The Daily Forkast
Binance announces its upcoming launch of an NFT marketplace while South Korean regulator asks staff to disclose personal crypto investments.
Solana prices surge amid crypto crash as market seeks lower gas fees
Solana blockchain — a rising alternative to Ethereum for DeFi and NFTs — hit an all-time high this week while other cryptocurrencies stagnated. How come?
Ant Group shares exclusive database tech to grow China’s CBDC | The Daily Forkast
China’s internet giant Ant Group shares its OceanBase database for the e-CNY project. More investors try out DeFi platform PancakeSwap.
Europe’s CoinShares launches XRP exchange traded product
XRP joins the growing list of cryptocurrencies now available as exchange traded products (ETP). What does this mean for crypto investors?
Blockchain’s green efforts and crypto carbon-nomics in Asia | The Daily Forkast
From institutions wanting carbon neutral Bitcoins, to tokenizing carbon credits — these are the latest green crypto trends in this region.
Huobi Asset Management launches crypto tracker funds with SFC’s help
Huobi’s institutional-grade crypto funds will invest in Bitcoin, Ether and crypto mining now that Hong Kong’s ‘very friendly’ regulators gave their thumbs up.
Ethereum ETFs come to Canada while US waits for SEC on Bitcoin ETFs
While the US has pondered Bitcoin ETFs since 2013, Canada is now moving on to Ethereum ETFs — with 3 new Ether funds launching in the next 24 hours.
What is Bitcoin’s environmental impact — and what are the solutions?
The recent steep rise in Bitcoin and Ethereum prices has also led to more crypto mining and energy-consumption, much of it still powered by coal.
Ethereum’s Berlin upgrade goes live. What’s next for Ethereum?
ETH surged to a new all-time high with Ethereum’s Berlin hard fork. Will improving gas fees ward off Ethereum competitors like Binance Smart Chain?
Are Bitcoin ETFs ready to party? Line is growing at SEC’s gate.
Bitcoin’s soaring prices are attracting traditional investors who want in, but with an entourage rather than solo. When will the velvet ropes lift in US and Asia?
Coinbase listing on Nasdaq sets benchmark for other crypto exchanges
Coinbase’s estimated $100 billion direct listing debut could be the tipping point for crypto going mainstream. But is Coinbase really worth that much?
Bitcoin skyrockets past US$64,000, hits another all-time high
Ahead of Coinbase’s Nasdaq listing, Bitcoin surged to new highs in Asian trading hours. Ether, ADA and DOGE also reached new ATHs as altcoins soared.
DeFi insurance: Why buy coverage for your digital assets?
Insurance policies for DeFi can cover losses from theft to smart contract issues. But do read the fine print — and know the industry is ‘self-regulated.’
Hoping to ride NFT wave, Taiwanese basketball team launches NFTs
Taking a page from NBA Top Shot’s playbook, the Lioneers of Hsinchu County are now selling NFT video clips of their basketball stars. How is the sale going?
March 2021
China opens digital currency door to all. NFTs go wild. Is Singapore’s Temasek buying virgin Bitcoin?
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Bitcoin prices rise as BTC and ETH options expire. DeFi market steps up as Elon Musk says, ‘Don’t defy DeFi.’
Justin Sun: Next generation traders will prefer NFTs and DeFi
Gen Z and millennials will transform investing. Here’s why one of their own — TRON CEO Justin Sun — thinks NFTs and DeFi are the wave of the future.
What’s in DeFi’s future — and what does it mean for traditional banks?
Will DeFi replace centralized finance, and how might regulators respond? An all-star panel with leaders from SEC, WEF, ConsenSys and USDC explains.
Beauty selfie app Meitu buys another $50 million in bitcoin and ether
Another financially troubled Chinese company turns to blockchain to improve its bottom line — this time, by buying up cryptocurrency a la Tesla.
Are bitcoin ETFs coming soon to America? Korea’s Shinhan Bank joins CBDC pilot. Argo seeks greener crypto pastures in Texas.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: As China tightens vise on crypto, Beijing to host 60-artist crypto art exhibition featuring NFT superstar Beeple.
February 2021
NFT mania: Are blockchain art and NBA crypto collectibles a fad or the future?
From Beeple’s digital art to LeBron James video trading cards, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are transforming the way we create, own and profit from content.
Binance Labs invests in Plasm Network to expand Polkadot
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.
GameStop crashes as Ethereum-led crypto rally takes center stage
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.
January 2021
74% of stablecoins are issued on Ethereum, according to new report
ConsenSys Codefi’s 4Q 2020 report on DeFi trends also predicts more ‘wrapped’ tokens, tranche lending products and Ethereum 2.0 derivatives in 2021.
Cardano’s Hoskinson wants to win over Fortune 500 companies
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.
OKEx’s Jay Hao expects ‘more amazing developments from DeFi’ in 2021
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.
LUKSO’s Fabian Vogelsteller predicts NFT and ERC-20 uses will grow
The founder of LUKSO and former Ethereum developer offers his views on decentralization as a tool and the ERC-725 standard for blockchain-based identity.
Bitcoin and ethereum prices roar into new year. Ripple XRP fans petition White House for mercy from SEC charges.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: China intensifies DCEP digital currency testing while Russia, Ukraine and Turkey join global CBDC race.
December 2020
DeFi explained: The guide to decentralized finance
What is DeFi and how does it work? What are its benefits and risks? Forkast.News explains everything you need to know about one of the hottest, most lucrative and controversial crypto trends.
CoinDCX’s Sumit Gupta on CBDCs, regulation and India’s potential for crypto in 2021
In this edition of Forkast Forecasts, the co-founder and CEO of CoinDCX offers his views on the growth of crypto in India, regulation and CBDCs.
ConsenSys’ Charles d’Haussy: The ‘staking capital of the world’ will emerge in Asia in 2021
In this edition of Forkast Forecasts, the director of strategic initiatives at ConsenSys and author of “Block Kong” shares his views on CBDCs, stablecoins and Asia’s blockchain space.
What’s next for Ethereum 2.0 after the Beacon Chain?
Eth2 will run in parallel with Ethereum 1 for now. For how much longer, and will this affect ether inflation and block rewards? Konstantin Richter of Blockdaemon explains.
ConsenSys’ Joe Lubin on Ethereum, DeFi and regulation in 2021
In this edition of Forkast Forecasts, the founder of ConsenSys shares his views on Ethereum 2.0, the dialogue with regulators and trends on DeFi adoption in the new year.
The best of Ethereum 2.0 is yet to come, says Infura GM
Ethereum 2.0 has transformed to proof of stake via its new Beacon Chain. When will Eth2 have sharding, smart contracts and more features?
Visa hops on USDC’s Eth2 wagon. China flexes DCEP digital currency in biggest test yet. Will US tighten Libra/Diem’s tether?
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: S&P Dow Jones to launch crypto index. Walmart invests big in India’s PhonePe.
BlockFi and Visa launch bitcoin rewards credit card. Libra rebrands as Diem. Are investors like Guggenheim fueling BTC prices?
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Bank of International Settlements considers stablecoins. China sends PlusToken scam ringleaders to prison.
Ethereum’s big transformation arrives with launch of Ethereum 2.0
Coinbase and Huobi now support Eth2 staking as the ‘Beacon Chain’ heart of the new platform goes live. What will happens to users of Ethereum 1.0?
November 2020
Ethereum 2.0 set for launch. Bitcoin hits record highs as Wall Street chief remains meh. Stellar hosts ARST and BRLT stablecoins.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: After BitMEX, are more CFTC crackdowns coming soon? China frees OKEx founder, exchange to resume services.
Ethereum 2.0 now set for December launch after early lukewarm reception
ETH 2.0 raises over $300 million from over 16,300 participants, putting it on track for release next week after whales make big investments in the last minute.
Bitcoin soars to new highs as Bitcoin Cash hard forks into two. Tron blows past Ethereum.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Ethereum 2.0’s pre-launch hits turbulence. China taps Lakala for DCEP digital yuan’s payment system.
Everything you want to know about Bitcoin, Ethereum and DeFi for 2021
What is BTC’s price forecast, and will ‘Ethereum killers’ succeed? A brain trust of 30 experts mines the biggest cryptocurrency questions for answers.
Ep. 38 | What Biden’s victory means for crypto. Bitcoin rides new wave. Ethereum 2.0 revs for launch.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Will TRUMP crypto losers get second chance? Hong Kong to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges.
October 2020
Filecoin mainnet launch brings Web 3.0 apps to the mainstream
After some early turbulence, Filecoin is now opening up applications like video streaming and social networks that used to exist only in centralized Web 2.0.
TALES FROM THE CRYPT: 10 blockchain and Bitcoin horror stories for the ages
Just in time for Halloween, gather ’round for this blood-curdling crypto news flashback that will have you HODLing a blanket. Beware the death grip on Bitcoin wallets!
Ep. 36 | Bitcoin prices rise on PayPal cryptocurrency news. US wary of CBDC as China enacts digital currency law for DCEP rollout.
Other top crypto and blockchain news: USDC stablecoin coming to Solana blockchain. Investing in KYC/AML in India.
Ep. 35 | Filecoin launch hits miner turbulence. USDC adds Stellar to rely less on Ethereum. Associated Press to publish US elections data on blockchain.
Other top news: OKEx cryptocurrency exchange freezes services amid police investigation. Investors bet $100 million on ‘neobank’ Razorpay in India
Congested Ethereum hosts 96% of DeFi transactions. Who are its up-and-coming competitors?
2020 is banner year for DeFi as industry balloons by over $100 billion in volume from Q2 to Q3 — most of it riding on Ethereum, according to a new report
Is DeFi a $10 billion Ponzi scheme?
The risk of getting scammed is real, but DeFi also offers investors opportunities to earn yields in this pandemic economy, says Two Prime CEO Marc Fleury.
September 2020
Blockchain is shooting for the stars in the new Space Age
In the first of a special two-part series, Forkast.News examines how blockchain — from smart contracts to crowdfunding missions — could transform public and private ventures in outer space.
How DeFi’s massive 8-fold growth brings scaling, gas fees challenges
In a special interview, Alchemy CEO Nikil Viswanathan discusses blockchain as the next internet, keen interest from investors like Charles Schwab, and the hottest cryptocurrency trend since ICOs.
Rented hash power for 51% attacks is a ‘huge vulnerability’ for proof-of-work blockchains, says ETC Labs CEO
Ethereum Classic Labs CEO Terry Culver calls the hash rental market shady “like under a rock somewhere…. They’re basically money laundering operations.”
How Ethereum Classic’s 51% attacks reveal risks to Bitcoin and Ethereum
ETC’s recent hacks may be an occupational hazard of ‘proof-of-work’ blockchains, including BTC and ETH. Is going ‘proof of stake’ the answer?
Are blockchain game voxels the new square foot?
From CryptoKitty pets to metaverses like Minecraft and Decentraland, blockchain video games are redefining what it means to own virtual property.
Will Ethereum 2.0’s launch be blockchain’s iPhone moment?
Released this week after much anticipation, Eth2 could finally become “the world’s computer” that the original Ethereum aspired to be. What challenges lie ahead?
August 2020
Joe Lubin of ConsenSys on acquiring Quorum: ‘a match made in blockchain heaven’
In a special Forkast.News interview, the CEO who co-founded Ethereum discusses the deal with JPMorgan, DeFi’s rise, and expectations for Ethereum 2.0.
Ethereum at the crossroads: Where does the popular blockchain go from here?
As Ethereum moves toward its 2.0 upgrade, here is a reflection on the open-source platform’s transformational impact on the blockchain ecosystem.
Ep. 25 | Bitcoin surges in Hong Kong’s geopolitical storms. China widens DCEP testing. Ethereum Classic’s audacious attacks.
Other top news: Teen accused of masterminding Twitter VIP hack heads to court. Huobi launches DeFi lab. Fintech VC in Singapore and Indonesia.
July 2020
Ep. 23 | Is Ethereum more popular than Bitcoin now? Crypto love comes to K-pop world. SEC-sanctioned crypto firms receive PPP funds.
Other top news: China’s BSN blockchain network expands global reach. US lets major banks act as crypto custodians. VC in India and Singapore.
June 2020
Ep. 19 | Will PayPal and Venmo offer crypto trading? FC Barcelona kicks off fan token. USDC ditches Ethereum for Algorand.
Other top news: Chainlink embraced by China’s blockchain network. Could Justin Sun’s infamy outshine TRON 4.0? Fintech in Thailand and Singapore.
May 2020
Former banker Mike Novogratz is ‘petrified’ of China’s new state-issued cryptocurrency, and ConsenSys’ Joseph Lubin agrees
Two titans of blockchain discuss China’s DCEP, Covid-inspired technology and more with Forkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau, in video highlights from Ethereal Summit 2020.