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September 2023

Solana leads winners in top 10 cryptos as Bitcoin, Ether extend gains

All top 10 cryptos gained in Thursday afternoon trade in Asia, except Toncoin.

Bitcoin back above US$26,000 after CPI release

Bitcoin rose on Thursday morning in Asia to trade above US$26,000. Ether also rose to reclaim US$1,600. All other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens moved up.

Toncoin gains 13% on Telegram partnership; Bitcoin, Ether little changed 

Toncoin led gainers in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, rising over 13% after the project announced its partnership with Telegram. Bitcoin and Ether were little changed during afternoon trading in Asia, but market analysts are looking at September as a period for strategic Bitcoin accumulation. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: ETF developments […]

Zero-knowledge technology is ready. Why isn’t it more widely used?

ZK is a complex but game-changing cryptographic technique for blockchain scalability and privacy. Here’s how the industry can make it more accessible.

Bitcoin, Ether bounce back; altcoins recover after FTX panic

Bitcoin rose on Wednesday morning in Asia to near US$26,000. Ether also bounced back to near US$1,600. All other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens logged gains.

Bitcoin collectibles: a diamond in the rough

Bitcoin’s NFT sales dip mirrors early challenges of Ethereum; is the pioneer blockchain set for a comeback in the collectibles market?

Bitcoin, Ether continue to slide; altcoins under pressure

Bitcoin remained under US$26,000 and Ether dropped below US$1,600 in Tuesday afternoon trade in Asia.

Nepal central bank plans CBDC within two years, crypto and stablecoin still excluded, says spokesperson

It has been more than a year since Nepal’s central bank, the Nepal Rastra Bank, initiated amendments to the law to enable the issuance of the digital version of the Nepalese rupee. What is the status of its CBDC?

Bitcoin, Ether lose key support levels; altcoins slide amid FTX liquidation woes

Bitcoin fell on Tuesday morning in Asia to hover above US$25,000 after briefly losing the key support level. Ether also slid to lose control of US$1,600.

Bitcoin, Ether extend losses; G20 eyes global crypto regulation

Bitcoin started the week below US$26,000 while Ether dropped to US$1,611. Toncoin and XRP lead losers in the last 24 hours.

Bitcoin starts week below US$26,000; Ether dips after hack on Vitalik Buterin’s X account; more rate hike worries on Wall Street

There was red ink across the crypto market Monday morning in Asia as Bitcoin dipped below US$26,000. Ether also fell to near the US$16,000 mark.

Weekly Market Wrap: ETF developments bolsters Bitcoin above US$26,000

Bitcoin returned to US$26,000 on Friday, bolstered by Ark Invest’s Ether ETF application and Grayscale’s continued efforts for its potential Bitcoin ETF.

Ether, most top 10 cryptos rise as Bitcoin leads gains in market recovery 

Bitcoin rose in afternoon trading in Asia, leading the gainers in the top 10 cryptocurrencies, fueling a wider market recovery as it returned to the US$26,000 support level. Despite the uptick, market experts warn of another potential drop to US$25,000. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: Grayscale’s favorable court verdict, ETF hype fail to lift […]

Bitcoin ETF: The quiet 800-pound gorilla in the room is about to roar

The general public does not know this yet, but there is no longer any doubt that a Bitcoin spot ETF will come to the US market, writes Charlie McGlynn of XREX. It’s just a matter of when.

Bitcoin above US$26,000; JP Morgan working on blockchain payment system

Bitcoin rose Friday morning in Asia to above US$26,000, leading a rally across most top 10 cryptos. Ether gained but was still below US$1,650.

Toncoin leads gains in top 10 cryptos as Bitcoin, Ether slip; Google to allow NFT gaming ads

Toncoin led gainers in the top 10 cryptos after it saw stronger investor interest since the launch of its new programming language, Tact.

No bounce for Ether after Ark Invest files for its first U.S. spot Ether ETF

Bitcoin traded flat Wednesday morning in Asia below the resistance level of US$26,000. Ether also traded flat, hovering around US$1,600.

Solana leads gains following Visa partnership news, Bitcoin little changed even as whales snap up asset

Solana led gainers in the top 10 cryptos, after the protocol announced a new partnership with payments giant Visa.

Bitcoin, Ether flat; US equities drop as rate hike concerns return

Bitcoin was trading flat below US$26,000 Wednesday morning in Asia. Ether edged up but remained below the US$1,650 mark.

Bitcoin, Ether decline as Dogecoin leads gains ahead of Elon Musk’s biography

Dogecoin led the winners in the top 10, in anticipation of Tesla owner Elon Musk’s upcoming biography, which reportedly details his involvement in the memecoin’s development.

Do you really trust the smart contracts in charge of your crypto?

Making sure the smart contracts behind DeFi platforms are thoroughly audited isn’t just a job for code developers — it’s also a must for ordinary investors.

Bitcoin, Ether down; Binance loses another top executive

Bitcoin edged lower on Tuesday morning in Asia to trade below US$26,000. Ether dipped to near the US$1,600 mark.

India’s G20 presidency has failed to advance global crypto governance, ex-finance secretary says

With nine months under its G20 presidency belt, India’s approach to cryptocurrency governance remains static. Amid regulatory ambiguity, the nation’s crypto industry struggles to cope with stringent tax rules.

Bitcoin, Ether remain under key levels; Sol leads gains in top 10 cryptos

Bitcoin and Ether have struggled to gain traction since the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) postponed its decision on seven Bitcoin ETF proposals.

Are Bitcoin and STOs birds of a feather? Think again

Bitcoin’s birth marked a radical departure from the strictures of centralized finance. Is the advent of asset tokenization undermining the original crypto’s founding ideals?

Bitcoin flat below US$26,000 as rate hike woes cool down

Bitcoin edged up on Monday morning in Asia but remained below US$26,000. Ether also stayed range-bound at around US$1,650.

Real Bedford — Bitcoin, football and the bear market

In the first installment of Forkast’s ‘Crypto in Sport’ series, we visit the U.K. and the homeground of Real Bedford — the world’s first Bitcoin-funded football team. Can the team’s rock-n-roll rebrand under Bitcoin evangelist Peter McCormack propel the team up the English football pyramid? Or will the crypto winter put a freeze on its progress?

Grayscale wins against SEC as India moves on blockchain; Friend.tech loses friends

Welcome to Forkast IQ, presented by Forkast’s Angie Lau, where we look beyond the headlines to get you insights that power smarter decisions.

SEC delays verdict on BlackRock’s ETF application; Will Bitcoin ETFs see light of day?

After Grayscale’s legal win, the SEC decided to postpone its decision on spot Bitcoin ETF applications. Will these proposals be greenlit? And when?

Weekly Market Wrap: Grayscale’s favorable court verdict, ETF hype fail to lift Bitcoin above US$28,000

While Grayscale’s favorable verdict over the SEC could pave the way for the first spot Bitcoin ETF in the U.S., it failed to bring Bitcoin above the US$28,000 support level.

Bitcoin below US$26,000, most other top 10 cryptos extend losses

Bitcoin, Ether and other cryptos dropped on Friday afternoon in Asia. Toncoin and Tron gained.

How crypto can help Africa reap greater yields — of the agricultural kind

Assisted by blockchain and AI, small farmers can make better use of data for more bountiful harvests. But adapting to new technology isn’t always easy.

Bitcoin falls back to US$26,000, Ether nears ‘death cross,’ while investors await US jobs report for August

Bitcoin, Ether and other cryptos were down Friday morning. U.S. equities were flat as investors look towards August’s jobs report later Friday.

August 2023

All top 10 cryptos fall except Dogecoin, as boost from Grayscale ETF ruling fades

Bitcoin, Ether and most other top 10 cryptos dropped on Thursday after a Wednesday rally on news of Grayscale receiving a favorable ruling against the SEC.

Cryptos down as Grayscale ETF news loses shine

Bitcoin, Ether and most other top ten cryptos traced back gains made following news of Grayscale’s legal win against the SEC.

India’s CoinSwitch crypto exchange fires 44 employees as trading volumes drop

CoinSwitch, an Indian cryptocurrency exchange backed by Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital, has laid off 44 employees from its customer support team due to a drop in customer queries with falling trading volumes.

Crypto market gets boost from favorable court ruling for Grayscale against U.S. SEC

Prices of all cryptocurrencies rose on Wednesday after a U.S. court backed Grayscale on its Bitcoin ETF application, compelling the SEC to review its rejection of the application.

How Worldcoin is undermining crypto’s original ethos

The new crypto from OpenAI’s founder requires users to supply biometric data. What if those in control can identify you — and follow your every financial move?

Green ink across crypto after Grayscale scores SEC win

A U.S. court’s landmark decision to side with Grayscale on its Bitcoin ETF application to the SEC sent crypto prices upward Wednesday morning in Asia.

Bitcoin, Ether gain; traders cautious as U.S. regulator goes after NFT firm

Bitcoin, Ether rose less than 1% in the past 24 hours while posting losses on the week. Polkadot led gains among top 10 cryptos.

Bitcoin, Ether trading flat as SEC targets firm offering NFTs

Bitcoin, Ether were little changed. Cardano led gains while Solana posted losses as experts say crypto prices are looking up.

Asia’s richest man bets on blockchain, CBDC

Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man from India, said on Monday that his Reliance Industries Ltd. is exploring blockchain-based platforms and central bank digital currencies (CBDC).

India’s PM advocates global ethical framework for cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence

Amid growing concerns around algorithm biases and their societal impact, India Prime Minister Modi calls for international consensus on ethical AI and crypto governance at the B20 summit. 

Bitcoin dips below US$26,000, crypto faces downward pressure amid Fed’s rate hike signals

Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies face headwinds on the first trading day of the week in Asia following the U.S. central bank’s Jackson Hole Symposium remarks, while Tron bucks the trend with modest gains.

Crypto market cautious after Fed’s Powell says US inflation still ‘too high’

Bitcoin, Ether and other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies held steady, despite Fed chair Jerome Powell’s hawkish comments on U.S. inflation.

DeFi revenue remains resilient despite Curve Finance hack

Even as the value of assets in DeFi dips, service provider revenues stand strong, undeterred by the US$73 million Curve Finance breach, Forkast Labs data shows.

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin’s summer volatility, Coinbase’s new stake and anticipations on the Fed moves cryptocurrencies

From landmark business decisions to looming central bank announcements, the crypto landscape this week teemed with events that may shape the course of the market.

If Chinese crypto holders sneeze, will global markets catch a cold?

Top blockchain and crypto news: China’s economic woes could spell trouble for crypto. Real fear in NFT markets. Can Friend.tech revive SocialFi?

SOL reverses gains, Bitcoin holds US$26,000, top cryptos fall ahead of Powell’s speech

SOL reversed Thursday’s gains from its Shopify partnership while XRP fell to a six-week low. Bitcoin and Ether inched up during afternoon trading but struggled to gain more upward momentum.

Bitcoin back down to US$26,000 as investors await US Fed chair speech

Bitcoin dropped to around the US$26,000 level Friday morning in Asia, giving up much of the previous day’s gains. Ether also moved lower.

Mastercard and Binance end crypto card partnership, services shut down in Latin America, Middle East

Mastercard and cryptocurrency exchange Binance will end their crypto debit card program in Argentina, Brazil, Columbia and Bahrain from Sep. 22.
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Bitcoin, Ether rise with SOL leading winners in top 10 cryptos

SOL was the biggest gainer in the top 10 following its Shopify deal. Bitcoin and Ether also rose along with most top 10 cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin back at US$26,500 as crypto mirrors Wall Street gains

Bitcoin rose on Thursday morning in Asia to trade in the US$26,500 range. Ether also moved up. Solana led the winners in the top 10 non-stablecoin tokens.

Blockchain tech in Thailand gets boost from new pro-crypto leader

Blockchain technology in Thailand could soon receive a boost by new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who had promised during his campaign to give 10,000 baht (US$300) through digital wallets to every Thai citizen aged 16 years and above.

SOL falls to six-week low, BNB biggest gainer despite reports of Binance violating Russian sanctions

Bitcoin recaptured the US$26,000 mark today, while Solana fell to a six-week low. BNB was the biggest gainer in the top 10, despite allegations against Binance resurfacing.

Could Rishi Sunak’s blockchain dream live on without him?

This final installment of a 3-part series on the U.K. digital asset industry looks at the politics driving the British crypto conversation. PM Rishi Sunak is a believer, but an election’s coming up, and his rivals appear less keen on turning the U.K. into a global crypto hub.

Bitcoin below US$26,000 with a new low of US$20,000 in the cards

Bitcoin fell Wednesday morning in Asia to trade below US$26,000. Ether also dropped as all other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens traded flat to lower.

India’s CoinDCX exchange lays off 12% of staff

CoinDCX, one of India’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, said on Wednesday it is laying off 12% of its staff due to the impact of a prolonged bear market and local tax rules. 

Bitcoin holds US$26,000, BNB flirts with annual low

Bitcoin holds its ground above US$26,000, but the top 10 cryptocurrencies see a dip. BNB remains subdued as Binance’s payment partner woes intensify.

Coinbase buys equity stake in Circle

Coinbase Global announced Monday that it is acquiring an equity stake in Circle Internet Financial, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin.

Bitcoin recovers after falling below $26,000 as the ETF excitement bubble bursts

Bitcoin stabilized Tuesday morning in Asia after dropping below the key US$26,000 support level over night. Ether also dipped but held the US$1,600 mark.

Bitcoin stabilizes as ETF enthusiasm tapers off

Bitcoin stabilized above the US$26,000 mark following last week’s sell-off. Top cryptos struggle to gain momentum as Bitcoin ETF applications continue to be delayed.

SEC wants to question Terra’s Daniel Shin, could ask South Korea for help

The U.S. SEC could call for South Korea’s cooperation in questioning Daniel Shin, co-founder of Terraform Labs.

Bitcoin, Ether stable after last week’s nosedive; XRP leads crypto gains; US stock futures mixed 

Bitcoin edged up on Monday morning in Asia to trade above US$26,000, after sliding over 10% for the week. Ether also moved higher but remained below US$1,700.

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin falls below US$26,000 following Evergrande’s bankruptcy

Bitcoin fell over 10% this week and dipped to a two-month low following Evergrande’s bankruptcy filing.

Tether stops USDT stablecoin mints on three blockchains

Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, announced on Thursday that it will discontinue support for its flagship stablecoin, on three blockchains, Kusama, Bitcoin Cash SLP (Simple Ledger Protocol) and Omni Layer. 

Singapore’s Stablecoin framework, Australia’s crypto landscape & Binance shuts ‘Connect’

Welcome to Forkast IQ, presented by Angie Lau, where we look beyond the headlines to get you insights that power smarter decisions. Coming up on today’s show:

XRP erases gains from Ripple’s partial victory as Bitcoin falls 10% in a week

Macroeconomic factors hit investor sentiment while a U.S. judge’s consent to SEC over its ongoing tussle with Ripple Labs affects crypto prices.

SEC granted permission to file interlocutory appeal in Ripple case

Judge Analisa Torres has granted the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the request to file an interlocutory appeal in its lawsuit against Ripple Labs.

Over $1 billion in crypto market liquidations as Bitcoin hits 2-month low

Bitcoin traded at around US$26,800 on Thursday morning in Asia after hitting a two-month low of around US$25,400. Ether fell below US$1,700.

Bitcoin steady at US$28,500; Dogecoin leads market decline in Asia

Global institutional intrigue in digital currencies grows but the cryptocurrency market shows no signs of rallying.

Will Singapore steady the stablecoin ship?

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