January 2023
Paycoin seeks reapproval after S.Korea suspends the payments token: report
PayProtocol, the South Korean issuer of payments-focused cryptocurrency Paycoin (PCI), will reapply for a local license to stay in business.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether rise with most of crypto market, Solana posts best start to the year for major token, BNB retreats amid Binance probe
Bitcoin and Ether gained in Tuesday trading in Asia along with most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies, helped by signs inflation pressure is easing in the U.S.
Crypto payments firm Wyre limits withdrawals as it mulls ‘strategic options’ amid market downturn
Wyre Payments, a San Francisco-based crypto payments firm, will implement withdrawal limits for user accounts, it said in a Twitter statement on Jan.7.
Trust and Compliance
Many crypto exchanges are implementing proof of reserves as trust and confidence are becoming two of the biggest watch words in the crypto space, but traditional institutions are also trying to bring the crypto sphere back to health.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether extend rise; Cardano leads gains in top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin, Ethereum extended gains in afternoon trade in Asia on Monday along with the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Cardano rose the most in the last 24 hours, followed by Polygon, BNB and Dogecoin.
Where is the stablecoin market heading in 2023?
FTX’s collapse triggered a stablecoin sell-off, but we will need them to survive the Crypto Winter, writes Vladimir Gorbunov of Choise.com.
Markets: Bitcoin back above US$17,000; Ether, crypto market extend weekend gains
Bitcoin and Ether rose in Monday morning trading in Asia, rising with the rest of the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, with Cardano and BNB changing the most.
Will crypto’s decentralized application layer boost mass adoption in 2023?
ChainSafe’s Aidan Hyman believes that crypto’s fully decentralized application layer may finally be complete in 2023.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether slip; Cardano extends gains
Bitcoin and Ether dipped in Friday afternoon trading in Asia, with nearly all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies slipping. Dogecoin was the biggest loser, while Cardano’s ADA was the sole gainer in the top 10 cryptos.
Hong Kong lawmaker says e-HKD has potential to be a stablecoin
Hong Kong should make efforts to encourage the establishment of virtual assets rating agencies, and consider developing the e-HKD, the city’s central bank digital currency in the works, into a stablecoin, a Hong Kong lawmaker said in a recent media interview.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether little changed; Polygon, XRP lead losers; Cardano holds onto gains
Bitcoin and Ether traded little changed Friday morning in Asia, with most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies losing ground.
NFT December sales surge to highest since June amid ‘tax-loss harvesting’
Slump in prices of some non-fungible tokens and other digital assets allows U.S. holders to take advantage of a loophole to reduce capital gains taxes.
Silvergate cuts 40% of staff after facing US$8.1B in withdrawals amid FTX collapse
Cryptocurrency bank Silvergate Capital has laid off 40% of its staff, or about 200 employees, after the collapse of FTX.com, which sparked mass withdrawals of around US$8.1 billion.
Will crypto’s real-world impact become more evident in 2023?
Crypto Council’s Sheila Warren hopes to see more of crypto’s real-world use cases emerging in the media next year.
Markets: Bitcoin slips, Ether unchanged, Dogecoin gains most among top 10 coins
Bitcoin edged down and Ether remained unchanged on the day, in Thursday afternoon trading in Asia. Dogecoin was the biggest gainer among the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies, while Litecoin recorded the largest loss.
MoneyGram seeks to seal parts of its filings in the XRP lawsuit between Ripple, SEC
MoneyGram has requested the court to seal certain portions of summary judgment materials in Ripple Labs’ ongoing lawsuit against the SEC.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether rise with most other tokens amid mixed signals on U.S. economic outlook
Bitcoin and Ether rose in Thursday morning trading in Asia along with most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies. Cardano led the gainers, while Litecoin and Tron were the only ones on that list to fall.
Indian crypto exchanges may lose US$1.2 trillion of trade volume in next four years: research
India’s current cryptocurrency tax structure “may lead to a loss of approximately US$1.2 trillion of local exchange trade volume in the next four years,” according to research by Esya Centre, a technology policy think tank in India.
Blockchain in Davos
Welcome to The Daily Forkast – January 4, 2022 – presented by Angie Lau. As the bells rang in the new year, many said goodbye and good riddance to a year of headline grabbing failures in the blockchain space. From Ronin’s bridge hack, the collapse of Terra Luna, to the bankruptcy of FTX, 2022 was […]
Crypto payments firm Wyre reportedly shutting down amid market downturn
Cryptocurrency payments company Wyre is reportedly shutting down operations by the end of January, amid the broader crypto market downturn following the fall of FTX
Indonesia to set up crypto stock exchange this year: report
Indonesia plans to set up a crypto stock exchange in 2023, ahead of moving regulatory powers to securities authorities from a commodities jurisdiction.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether rise; Solana surges 18% as new dog coin spikes interest
Bitcoin and Ether rose in Wednesday afternoon trading in Asia, along with all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies. Solana led gains with an 18% surge, followed by Cardano and BNB.
Ripple expects SEC ruling in first half, clearer global regulations for digital assets in 2023
Ripple Labs Inc. expects a court decision in the first six-months of this year in the case filed against the company by the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission. The SEC sued Ripple in December 2020 for allegedly selling US$1.3 billion in unregistered securities.
U.S. banking regulators warn against cryptocurrency fraud, contagion risks
The U.S. Federal Reserve, FDIC and the OCC have issued a joint statement to warn banks of the risks with crypto assets.
Magic Eden NFTs display explicit content, ‘Big Bang Theory’ images
Images on Magic Eden, the largest Solana-based non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace, displayed pornographic content and popular sitcom series “The Big Bang Theory” on Tuesday Asia time instead of users’ NFTs.
Markets: Bitcoin price dips, Ether little changed, Litecoin adds to gains, Dogecoin biggest loser
Bitcoin slipped back, while Ether was little changed in mixed Wednesday morning trading in Asia for the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether inch up, XRP leads gains in top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin and Ethereum prices inched up in Tuesday afternoon trading in Asia, along with most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. XRP led gains at 3.22%, followed by Polygon at 1.76% and Litecoin at 1.74%.
Bitcoin mining difficulty drops 3.6% in latest adjustment
The Bitcoin mining difficulty level fell 3.59% on Tuesday morning in Asia, after some U.S. mining firms unplugged due to deadly winter storms over the holiday season on top of continued cash shortages mainly caused by low Bitcoin prices and high energy costs.
Bitcoin ATM rush Down Under: Australia leapfrogs El Salvador, Poland
Australia had a total of 225 Bitcoin ATMs by the end of 2022 after installing around 150 machines in the final four months of the year, overtaking El Salvador and Poland to become home to the fourth-highest number of crypto ATMs in the world, according to data from CoinATMRadar.com.
Happy birthday to Bitcoin! What will it become when it’s all grown up?
It takes a village to raise a child, and Bitcoin is no different — we must support its growth but also set firm boundaries, writes Justin d’Anethan of Amber Group.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether edge higher with crypto top 10; Litecoin surges after record transactions in 2022
Bitcoin and Ether prices rose in Tuesday morning trading in Asia, along with all the non-stablecoin top ten cryptocurrencies.
Hong Kong financial service providers gear up for retail crypto traders
Hong Kong’s financial services providers, including local brokers and fund managers, are seeking advice to prepare for new licensing requirements which will allow them to provide services to retail traders, according to a media report.
How crypto custodians can help centralized exchanges win back public trust
In the post-FTX world, crypto exchanges must offer stronger protection for investors’ assets, writes Colin Brooks, chairman of the advisory board of Hex Trust.
OKX’s OKB, OKT tokens surge at least 13% each after 85% quarter
OKB, the utility token of OKX, jumped by up to 15% during Asia trading hours on Monday. OKT, the native token of the OKX Chain, was up 13%.
December 2022
‘Tis the season for crypto tax-loss harvesting: IRS, regulators remain silent on crypto tax loophole ahead of new year
The past year has been tumultuous for crypto investors, with a bear market wiping out over half of Bitcoin’s market capitalization. However, with the end of the American tax year just days ahead, taxpayers could get some money back.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether slip; Dogecoin biggest loser among top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin and Ether inched down during Asia trading hours on Friday afternoon, with Dogecoin leading losses among the top 10 largest non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether inch up; XRP biggest loser among top 10
Bitcoin and Ether prices gained on Friday morning in Asia, while other top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization were mixed.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether little changed; XRP leads losses in top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin and Ether dropped slightly during Asian trading hours on Thursday afternoon, with XRP leading losses across the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
How crypto crimes are evolving, and what to expect in 2023
Ponzi schemes, investment scams and rug pulls have drained billions from crypto users in recent years. What new kinds of crypto crimes are on the horizon?
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether fall; Solana, Cardano show bigger losses
Bitcoin and Ether fell on Thursday morning in Asia. Solana lost 11% of its value, the steepest drop among top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies.
Kraken to shut Japan operations
Kraken announced on Wednesday that it will “cease its operations” in Japan and deregister from the Financial Services Agency.
A year to remember, a year to forget: Crypto highs and lows of 2022
From Terra and FTX crises to Ethereum’s triumphant Merge and China’s inventive NFT industry, Forkast reviews a rollercoaster year and its consequences.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether fall, Dogecoin extends holiday blues
Bitcoin and Ethereum prices fell on Wednesday afternoon in Asia along with all other non-stablecoin top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Why digital assets need regulations now more than ever
In times of market volatility, regulation can restore confidence and public trust in crypto, writes Albert Isola, Gibraltar’s minister for digital and financial services.
Japan plans to lift ban on stablecoins issued overseas: report
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) reportedly plans to allow the circulation of foreign-issued stablecoins in the local market next year.
Biggest blockchain trends for 2023 and beyond
After a year of new all-time highs for major cryptocurrencies in 2021, 2022 was a challenging year for Web3. Industry experts tell Forkast what crypto has in store for 2023 and beyond.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether extend gains; XRP biggest winner in top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin and Ethereum extended gains on Tuesday afternoon in Asia along with almost all other non-stablecoin top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. XRP was the biggest winner, rising nearly 4.8% in the last 24 hours.
Top Solana NFT projects find new homes on Ethereum, Polygon
Top Solana-based NFT projects DeGods and Y00ts are moving away from the network, both projects announced on Twitter on Monday.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether rise; XRP leads gains
Bitcoin and Ether edged up slightly on Tuesday morning in Asia, along with nearly all other non-stablecoin top 10 cryptocurrencies. XRP led the gains with about 5.6%, followed by Cardano and Polygon.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether inch up, Dogecoin leads decline across top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin and Ethereum inched up in Monday afternoon trading in Asia. Most other non-stablecoin top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization were little changed
14 years on, why Bitcoin will survive its growing pains
Like an awkward teen, Bitcoin is facing a crisis of confidence, writes Eddie Hui of MetaComp. What lies in store for the original cryptocurrency in 2023?
Bitcoin hashrate drops nearly 40% as deadly U.S. storm unplugs miners
The Bitcoin network hashrate has dropped by more than 38.8% from its peak on Wednesday, as many U.S.-based miners have been forced to switch down their facilities due to deadly blizzards. See related article: British Columbia suspends new electricity connections for crypto miners Fast facts See related article: Bitcoin mining difficulty rises 3.27% in latest […]
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether little changed; Dogecoin falls
Bitcoin and Ether changed little on Monday morning, along with nearly all other non-stablecoin top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
No change in community banks’ view of crypto after FTX’s collapse, says ICBA’s Brian Laverdure
ICBA vice-president Brian Laverdure believes that community banks are unfazed by FTX’s collapse, but remain split on cryptocurrencies.
Can crypto go mainstream in the next 18 months?
As the FTX debacle invites more stringent regulations, Caroline Bowler of BTC Markets believes crypto can go mainstream in the next 18 months.
Markets: Bitcoin slips, Ether inches up; Dogecoin leads rebound in top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin slipped and Ether inched up in Asian trading on Friday afternoon, with Dogecoin leading gains across the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether prices edge up; Dogecoin rebounds after heavy losses
Bitcoin and Ether traded higher Friday morning in Asia, along with nearly all other non-stablecoin top 10 cryptocurrencies. Dogecoin led the gains with a rise of nearly 4.5%, followed by Cardano and XRP. BNB edged lower.
Decentralized exchanges could gain popularity following the FTX collapse
Ethan Buchman of Cosmos believes that 2023 may be the year of decentralized exchanges and more advanced cross-chain applications.
Retiring U.S. Senator Pat Toomey introduces bill for regulating stablecoins
U.S. Republican Senator Pat Toomey introduced a bill on Wednesday to set regulations for stablecoins and to further “sensible” regulation of cryptocurrency.
SEC, Ripple get extensions to exclude expert testimony in XRP lawsuit
The federal judge in the ongoing lawsuit between the SEC and Ripple has granted a joint motion from all parties to extend the deadline for the Daubert Motions that would exclude certain expert testimonies.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether continue slide; U.S. equities gain on consumer confidence boost
Bitcoin and Ether fell in Thursday morning trading in Asia, along with all other non-stablecoin top 10 cryptocurrencies. Polkadot led losses with a drop of more than 2%, with Cardano and BNB following close behind.
Regulation shaping up?
A year of scandals in the crypto industry has led to questions about the viability of regulation.
U.S. crypto miner Core Scientific files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, continues to mine Bitcoin
Core Scientific, one of the largest publicly traded crypto mining firms in the U.S., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the state of Texas on Wednesday.
Will Bitcoin’s true value prevail in 2023?
As crypto investors move towards self-custody following FTX’s collapse, Brian Paik wonders whether it could teach people the true value of Bitcoin, beyond hype and price speculation.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether inch up; Dogecoin remains biggest loser in top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin and Ether gained in Asian trading on Wednesday afternoon, with Dogecoin continuing to lead declines across the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies
Retail-owned Bitcoin supply reaches all-time high
The supply of Bitcoin owned by retail investors has reached an all-time high of around 17%, according to blockchain research firms Glassnode and IntoTheBlock.
Markets: Bitcoin rises, Ether gains on potential Visa integration, BNB rebounds
Bitcoin prices rose Wednesday morning in Asia amid a week of volatile price movements in end-of-year trading.
Bitcoin miner Greenidge strikes deal with NYDIG to restructure debt
Troubled U.S.-based Bitcoin mining firm Greenidge Generation Holdings Inc. has entered a debt restructuring agreement with NYDIG, a cryptocurrency service provider to which Greenidge owes US$74 million.
Regulatory issues ‘still challenging’ as CBDCs gain popularity globally, says German tech firm Giesecke+Devrient’s Chief Evangelist Lars Hupel
Central bank digital currencies (CBDC) development and interest are growing rapidly worldwide but regulatory issues remain a challenge, especially for cross-border CBDC transactions. But German technology company Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) – winner of Best Technology Award in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Global Fast Track CBDC 2022 competition during the city’s FinTech Week in November – […]
South Korea freezes US$93 mln in assets of former Terra-Luna associates
A S.Korean court has approved prosecutors’ request to freeze assets of US$93.3 million belonging to seven former associates of Terraform Labs.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether gain; Dogecoin is biggest loser in top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin and Ether gained in Asian trading on Tuesday afternoon, with Dogecoin leading declines across the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptos
What the FTX collapse means for the future of crypto
Centralized exchanges releasing ‘proof of reserves’ is not enough to win back users, while improving user experience will be key, writes Holger Arians of Banxa.