March 2024
PancakeSwap sets eyes on v4 launch
New PancakeSwap upgrade introduces hooks, lower gas costs, and custom pools, aiming to enhance DeFi trading experience.
Senators urge SEC to halt crypto ETF approvals amid concerns
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Laphonza Butler have expressed concerns over the approval of crypto ETFs beyond Bitcoin.
MakerDAO to launch ‘Endgame’ phase with new tokens this summer
MakerDAO’s Endgame plan introduces new tokens and features to enhance user engagement and target mass adoption.
Wormhole launches 617 mln token airdrop to boost decentralization
Wormhole’s airdrop of 617 million W tokens aims to decentralize governance and reward community engagement across multiple blockchains.
EigenLayer’s DeFi TVL hits $10 billion, secures major deal
EigenLayer’s total value locked reaches $10 billion, flipping Maker to become the third-largest DeFi protocol.
February 2024
First ERC-404 passes US$32,000
ERC-404 is a new Ethereum token standard for semi-fungible tokens.
Ethereum sets March 13 for Dencun upgrade
The Ethereum network is poised for a significant upgrade this March, with the Dencun update focusing on proto-danksharding.
Ethereum staking hits milestone: over 25% of supply now locked
Despite the Shapella upgrade allowing withdrawals, Ethereum’s proof-of-stake transition continues to attract validators, with over 30 million Ether staked.
SocialFi’s next big hit? Friendzone set to launch on Polygon
Friendzone is poised to challenge traditional social media models with its blockchain-powered SocialFi application on the Polygon network.
BNB Chain highlights DeFi, gaming and AI in 2024 roadmap
The “One BNB Paradigm” aims to streamline BNB Chain’s ecosystem, focusing on DeFi, gaming, and AI.
January 2024
Floki Inu staking halted in Hong Kong after SFC warning
Floki Inu suspends its staking program in Hong Kong following regulatory warnings.
Solana’s Jupiter trading volume skyrockets ahead of JUP airdrop
Jupiter Exchange experiences a trading boom as the Solana community awaits the upcoming JUP airdrop.
Hong Kong sees first spot Bitcoin ETF application
Hong Kong could welcome its first spot Bitcoin ETF, courtesy of Harvest Global’s recent filing.
SEC postpones verdict on Grayscale’s spot Ether ETF
Ether ETF hopefuls on hold as SEC postpones decision.
Terraform Labs Seeks U.S. bankruptcy shield
Do Kwon-founded Terraform Labs files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S.
SEC delays Fidelity’s Ethereum ETF decision
Fidelity’s bid for a spot Ethereum ETF hits a snag as SEC delays decision.
CoinShares acquires Valkyrie expands ETF offerings
With the acquisition of Valkyrie Funds, CoinShares aims to strengthen its position in the competitive ETF market.
Ethereum outperforms Bitcoin despite ETF debut
Ether’s price rises sharply, contrasting with Bitcoin’s stagnant performance despite recent ETF launches.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs launch in U.S. markets
Grayscale and BlackRock’s ETFs lead a bullish debut for newly listed Bitcoin ETFs.
SEC’s cybersecurity in question after ETF tweet blunder
Following a misleading tweet about Bitcoin ETFs, Senators Vance and Tillis demand answers from the SEC regarding its cybersecurity measures.
Valkyrie CIO eyes US$400 mln inflow in the first week of Bitcoin ETF launch: The Block
Steven McClurg says Valkyrie Investments may be poised for a historic ETF launch this week, with the potential to inject up to US$400 million into the market.
Bitcoin ETF applicants make swift amendments to filings following SEC’s response
Imminent SEC decision on Bitcoin ETFs could mark a watershed moment for crypto, spearheaded by industry giants BlackRock and VanEck, reshaping the investment world.
BNB Chain Fusion may unify BEP-2 and BEP-20 by 2024
BNB Chain’s merger plans aims for a seamless and secure blockchain by April 2024
November 2023
Let’s use Web3 to grow projects that fight climate change
The most promising carbon offset programs can still wither and die from financing distress. Blockchain technology can help them survive and bear fruit.
UBS allows crypto ETFs for Hong Kong investors with at least US$2 mln assets
Three SFC-authorized crypto ETFs will be available on UBS’ Hong Kong platform.
Blackrock files for Ether ETF: ETH tops US$2,100
BlackRock’s Ether ETF filing comes as the U.S. SEC entered an eight-day window to potentially approve pending Bitcoin ETF applications.
Ether breaches US$2,000 as BlackRock registers iShares Ethereum Trust entity
Ether rose to an over six-month high of US$2,045.
SEC in talks with Grayscale for Bitcoin ETF: CoinDesk
The SEC has reportedly been in contact with Grayscale since its court victory in August.
Bitcoin breaks US$36,000 as SEC enters potential ETF approval period
Bitcoin is up over 32% in the past month.
Moody’s unveils AI that predicts stablecoin depegging
The artificial intelligence service is designed to predict the depegging of stablecoins in 24-hours.
October 2023
Neo sets sights on DeFi, unveils EVM-compatible sidechain
Neo’s new sidechain hopes to counter MEV attacks to mitigate exploits and manipulations.
Bitcoin soars amid buzz of potential ETF approval: Is a crypto renaissance on the horizon?
Top blockchain and crypto news: Bitcoin ETF potential pumps life in markets. Ethereum NFTs back on rise. Major industry layoffs continue.
Is TradFi’s entry into DeFi a turning point or a sign of greater battles ahead?
The pillars of Wall Street are muscling their way into crypto and decentralized finance. Who stands to benefit the most?
Bitcoin briefly rallies above US$30,000 following Grayscale’s new ETF application
Bitcoin gained over 10% this past week, boosted by Grayscale’s renewed spot Bitcoin ETF application.
Grayscale files for new spot Bitcoin ETF on NYSE Arca
Grayscale said that its fund is ready to operate as an ETF upon regulatory approval.
Binance’s rollercoaster week: expansion, setbacks, and the ghost of FTX’s collapse
Top blockchain and crypto news: Is Japan a new frontier for Binance? AI art sweeps NFT sales. ETF buzz electrifies Bitcoin.
Fake BlackRock ETF news prompts US$57 mln in Bitcoin long liquidations
Bitcoin briefly spiked to US$29,388 after the fake post, before tracing back the gains.
ESMA says DeFi can bring greater financial inclusion, but warns of volatility risks
The regulator said that DeFi doesn’t pose a risk to financial stability, due to its small size, but said it needs to be monitored in the future.
Crypto investment products record highest inflows since July: CoinShares
Inflows in cryptocurrency investment products reached US$78 million last week, the highest volume since July, according to crypto asset manager CoinShares. See related article: Alameda had a US$65 bln line of credit, says FTX co-founder Gary Wang Fast Facts See related article: DOJ seeks to block Bankman-Fried from bringing up Anthropic fundraise in court
Bitwise to launch two Ethereum Futures ETFs
Bitwise Asset Management, a U.S.-based cryptocurrency index fund, announced that its two Ethereum futures exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF (AETH) and the Bitwise Bitcoin and Ether Equal Weight Strategy ETF (BTOP), will start trading on Monday, Oct. 2. See related article: Valkyrie CIO expects US spot Bitcoin ETF approval in Q2 2024 […]
September 2023
SEC Chair Gensler faces bipartisan backlash over strict crypto regulations
Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. lawmakers berate SEC over ETF applications. NFTs down but not dead. Hong Kong sees year’s biggest crypto heist so far.
Have we learned anything from Curve Finance and DeFi’s susceptibility to attacks?
The DeFi giant may have escaped a death spiral, but exploits and code problems like what it recently suffered are more commonplace — and preventable — than what the industry acknowledges.
PayPal’s stablecoin is a big step forward for crypto’s legitimacy but not much yet for the cause
PYUSD’s launch is injecting much-needed trust into crypto’s turbulent landscape, but its current form does not come with any of the benefits of real crypto, writes Danny Chong, co-founder of Tranchess.
SEC will load more charges on crypto exchanges and DeFi, says enforcement chief
The U.S. SEC will expand its regulatory enforcement onto crypto exchanges, intermediaries and decentralized finance (DeFi) entities.
Valkyrie CIO expects US spot Bitcoin ETF approval in Q2 2024
A growing number of asset management companies are joining the race for the approval of a Bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund in the United States while the Securities and Exchange Commission keeps delaying its decision on existing applications.
Weekly Market Wrap: Deutsche Bank’s crypto move propels Bitcoin to US$26,750
Bitcoin hit a weekly high of US$26,750 after Deutsche Bank announced plans to offer crypto custody services for institutional investors, days after Standard Chartered launched its own institutional crypto wing.
Why DAOs are choking on majority rule and failing their democratic ideals
To solve DAOs’ people problems with mismanagement and bad actors, they need to lean into automation — and take more matters out of human hands.
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.
U.S. CFTC charges three DeFi projects for illegal derivatives offerings
CFTC charged three U.S.-based decentralized finance protocols – Opyn, ZeroEx and Deridex – on Thursday for omitting necessary registrations .
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
August 2023
Grayscale triumphs over SEC: A David v. Goliath win in the crypto arena
Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. court compels SEC to review Grayscale’s ETF application. SEC zooms in on NFTs. Asia’s richest man eyes blockchain, CBDCs
Uniswap securities violation charges dismissed by US court
A U.S. district court on Wednesday dismissed charges against a group of five firms for alleged securities violations on the Uniswap DeFi platform.
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.
Court backs Grayscale, overturns SEC decision blocking Bitcoin ETF
In a landmark ruling, the court overturned the SEC’s previous decision, signaling potential tailwinds for other financial giants.
Friend.tech daily fees and buyers drop by over 90%
Friend.tech saw its daily revenue, fees and active buyers fall over 90% from its peak.
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.
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.
Why FTX deserves a second chance
Despite the outrage against Sam Bankman-Fried and the now-bankrupt exchange, everyone would be better off with a relaunched FTX 2.0, writes Rachel Lin, CEO of SynFutures.
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.
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.
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.
How AI, with blockchain, can transform everyday life: Opinion
Combining blockchain with AI, two of the greatest innovations of this era, will unlock myriad benefits for consumers and businesses alike, writes Eugen Kuzin.