April 2021
Asian governments urge ‘extreme caution’ before buying cryptocurrency
As Bitcoin and crypto market swells beyond $2 trillion, even crypto-friendly Singapore is warning the public about risks. Are more regulations coming?
Lawyer for 11,000 XRP holders pushing to fight SEC in Ripple lawsuit
As Ripple and SEC intensify their legal battles, attorney John Deaton and his clients are trying to jump into the fray. Will XRP investors get their day in court?
Ripple wins access to SEC’s internal documents on Bitcoin and Ether
In a ruling that can boost Ripple’s defense, judge says SEC must disclose discussions on whether XRP, Bitcoin and Ether are securities. Is a settlement now near?
SEC agrees to redact two documents in Ripple lawsuit as XRP prices surge
XRP prices soar after Ripple and the SEC agree to partially redact some of Ripple’s email exchanges — but not the CEO’s financial information
March 2021
XRP holders step closer to joining Ripple in fighting SEC lawsuit
In a new ruling, the judge presiding over SEC v. Ripple Labs opens the door to allowing XRP holders to intervene as a third party in the government’s lawsuit.
Ripple plans major Southeast Asia expansion by buying 40% of Tranglo
Despite its legal battles in the US over the XRP token, Ripple continues its push in Asia to grow its cross-border payments and money-transfer business.
SEC tries to block XRP holders’ bid to intervene in Ripple lawsuit
SEC tells court that allowing XRP holders to join as third parties would create an ‘avalanche’ of claims and ‘undue delay, complexity and confusion.’
KPMG: Virtual asset service providers ready to professionalize and grow
New KPMG report outlines opportunities for investors as well as traditional banks with the rise of VASPs like cryptocurrency exchanges and custody services.
World’s central banks come together to collaborate on CBDCs
As the world increasingly turns to Bitcoin, stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies, a brain trust of central bankers want to take back control.
Fed Chair Powell calls Bitcoin ‘speculative,’ says US not in CBDC rush
Countries around the world are exploring central bank digital currencies. But US and European central bank leaders say they value stability over speed.
Ripple recasts embattled XRP as a ‘bridge’ currency for CBDCs
As XRP holders step closer to intervening in SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple, the payment platform gears up to grow its CBDC business with a new white paper.
Judge denies XRP holders’ bid to intervene in SEC v. Ripple lawsuit
XRP holders’ motion to join as third-party defendant was denied without prejudice as Ripple tries to bolster its ‘fair notice’ defense against SEC.
XRP holders seek to join Ripple in fighting SEC lawsuit
In new legal filings, XRP holders blame SEC for causing ‘multi-billions in losses’ and say they intend to file a class-action lawsuit against the agency.
SEC: no duty to warn about XRP; denies Ripple’s fair notice defense
Intensifying its legal warfare against XRP, SEC takes aims at the heart of Ripple’s defense. But Ripple scores wins in Tetragon and YouTube lawsuits.
Ripple: SEC did not give fair notice that XRP violated law
In its latest court filing, Ripple also says SEC led market to believe that XRP was not an investment contract. Outside court, Ripple pursues the CBDC business.
How blockchain advocates stopped FinCEN’s ‘crypto wallet rule’—for now
Blockchain association leader Perianne Boring explains the controversial rule and how the industry pulled together to force FinCEN to consider public input.
Major crypto players Coinbase and CoinShares are going public
Despite recent bitcoin and ether price drops, crypto giants Coinbase and CoinShares are betting that investment in digital assets will continue to grow.
February 2021
Bitfinex, Tether banned in New York. No end yet to Ripple XRP’s SEC lawsuit woes. CBDC bridge for Asia and Middle East.
Other top blockchain and crypto news: Bill Gates on bitcoin. Nvidia protects gamers from crypto miners with separate CMP and GeForce RTX graphics cards.
No Ripple-SEC lawsuit settlement in sight as XRP prices tumble
Ripple and SEC face off in a pretrial conference as MoneyGram, the world’s second largest money transfer provider, suspends trading on Ripple’s platform.
Hong Kong plans to ban retail investors from trading cryptocurrency
Industry insiders warn that proposed rule to allow only ‘professional investors’ to buy and sell crypto could drive companies to crypto-friendlier shores.
BNY Mellon, Jay-Z join bitcoin conga line. Will NFTs take over real world? Roadmap for Biden to take blockchain leadership.
Other top blockchain and crypto news: DeFi under Fed study. Andrew Yang, Wyoming vie for crypto attention. Hong Kong and India edge toward crypto bans.
Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb unloaded $69 million worth of XRP in a week
Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb has resumed selling his XRP holdings, dumping 130 million tokens over the last week, according to data from XRPscan.
XRP prices see ‘pump and dump’ as Ripple outlines legal defense strategy
In its response to SEC’s lawsuit, Ripple denies that XRP is a security, points out the clash with FinCEN and questions why SEC is not going after Ethereum.
As SEC goes after Ripple and Bitcoiin2Gen, is DeFi next in its line of fire?
Securities lawyers read the tea leaves of SEC’s lawsuits against Ripple XRP and Bitcoiin2Gen. Will DeFi be next for SEC enforcement actions or regulations?
January 2021
Digital payments — not cash — is now king in Asia’s payment ecosystem
Singapore and Thailand launch the world’s first real-time cross-border digital payment system. Here’s what else is happening in Hong Kong and China.
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce is optimistic about crypto regulation in 2021
The SEC Commissioner doesn’t want the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry to obsess over regulations, but ‘think about how the technology can be used.’
Janet Yellen clarifies stance, notes ‘benefits of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets’
In written testimony, the US Treasury Secretary-nominee calls digital assets ‘fintech innovations’ and pledges to ‘encourage their use for legitimate activities.’
Biden halts FinCEN’s proposed crypto wallet reporting rules
On his first day in office, President Biden put a freeze on all new or pending Trump-era rules, including rules for crypto, and asked for a review.
Treasury pick Janet Yellen: Crypto crimes are ‘particular concern’
In her Senate confirmation hearing, the US Treasury secretary nominee and bitcoin critic also decried crypto’s role in money laundering and terrorism.
MIT professor Gary Gensler is chosen to lead US SEC
President-elect Joe Biden has named the former CTFC chief to lead the SEC. What does this mean for Ripple and other crypto firms?
Big waves at SEC: Chief enforcer v. Ripple XRP is out. Is Gary Gensler new SEC chair? Elon Musk’s bitcoin flirtations.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: WhatsApp refugees swarm Signal. Bakkt to go public via SPAC. China tests out new DCEP digital yuan e-card.
SEC enforcer behind $1.3 billion Ripple lawsuit stepping down
Securities and Exchange Commission’s acting enforcement chief Marc Berger helped lead high-profile lawsuits against crypto firms, including Ripple and Telegram.
‘Crypto Mom’ Hester Peirce calls for more regulatory coordination
In an exclusive interview, the SEC Commissioner shares her thinking on digital assets, DeFi and wanting her agency to ‘do better’ in the crypto space.
SEC commissioner Hester Peirce says enforcement is never good way to provide clarity
In her first public remarks since the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple and exclusive interview with Forkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau, SEC commissioner and “Crypto Mom” Hester Peirce says the SEC can do better on clarity and that enforcement isn’t always the best way to provide guidance
New year brings new crypto actions from FinCEN, OCC and IRS
New US government rules and guidance aim to boost cryptocurrency taxes, clarify legal liability related to STABLE Act and require more KYC reporting.
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
SEC Plans to Sue Ripple for Securities Violations: Reports
In interviews, the Ripple CEO told Fortune and the Wall Street Journal that the SEC plans to sue the company in the near future for offering unlicensed securities.
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.
What are the SEC and OCC’s thoughts on digital asset regulations?
An all-star panel of top cryptocurrency policymakers and other blockchain experts explain the US regulatory system for digital assets and what lies ahead.
After BitMEX, will CFTC go after more crypto exchanges and DeFi?
CFTC cracked down hard on BitMEX. Forkast.News investigates what other cryptocurrency exchanges, if any, might be next in its line of enforcement fire.
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.
Hong Kong’s new crypto exchange laws will be embraced—with VPNs
Hong Kong SFC lays out plan to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges to allow only institutional money. But retail users likely won’t be deterred.
October 2020
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.
Why blockchain and crypto regulations are ‘necessary evil’ for US and Europe
Regulatory finesse toward cryptocurrency and DeFi will spur investment while not stifling innovation, says Alex Tapscott of Blockchain Research Institute
US regulators are finally lining up over digital assets
A recent flurry of US regulatory activity is helping legitimize the digital assets space. Here’s the latest on SEC, FINRA, CFTC and OCC’s new level of coordination.
Ep. 33 | BitMEX and John McAfee in legal hot water. Who is the cryptocurrency market betting on to be the next US president?
Other top news: Filecoin’s mainnet set to launch. Chinese banks help DCEP digital currency get market-ready. NetEase to preserve email forevermore.
Arthur Hayes of BitMEX not likely to leave Hong Kong anytime soon, but DeFi faces crossroads
BitMEX’s CEO, who faces money-laundering charges, may be the beneficiary of Hong Kong’s political turmoil and current lack of an extradition treaty with US government
Power over Bitcoin is held by a few. Is it at risk of a 51% attack?
In a special interview, Konstantin Richter of Blockdaemon also discusses the critical role of government in encouraging greater blockchain adoption.
September 2020
US bills could shake up cryptocurrency exchanges and ICO prosecutions
Proposed federal laws would upend SEC rules for digital tokens and give CFTC sweeping powers. Will it be enough to rein in crypto’s Wild West ways?
Ep. 31 | FinCEN files tie big banks to $2 trillion in crimes. Tezos tapped to explore CBDC for France.
More top news: Wounded Unikr settles with SEC for $6.1 million. China’s nationwide blockchain service network launches ‘public permissioned’ chain.
Why cryptocurrency exchanges need more regulations to protect investors
Being dodgy about office location and faking volume data are all part of Asian crypto exchanges’ Wild West ethos. What are the alternatives for investors?
Esports gambling platform Unikrn settles with SEC for $6.1 million
SEC’s crackdown comes as more states permit online gambling, putting a further squeeze on the company once backed by celebrities like Ashton Kutcher.
August 2020
What is the secret to Conflux Network’s success in China?
Conflux wins rare endorsements from Shanghai and Hunan provincial governments as other blockchain firms struggle for a toehold on the mainland.
US authorities are taking aim at DeFi. Are crypto loans next?
DeFi crypto lending — a loosely regulated industry that grew by 700% last year — is catching investor attention. What do the IRS and SEC think?
Are US regulators finally warming to crypto and digital assets?
CFTC’s new plans for crypto regulations and OCC permitting banks to be crypto custodians could boost digital asset adoption. What’s next for FATF and SEC?
July 2020
How Fed-led inflation of USD could be good for bitcoin and digital assets
Covid-driven monetary policies are spurring growing investor interest in crypto assets and derivatives, says Richard Byworth, CEO of Diginex and EQUOS.io.
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.
Why did SEC-sanctioned crypto companies receive PPP funds for Covid relief?
The $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program — intended to help America’s small businesses survive the pandemic — also gave financial aid to crypto firms accused of fraud, a Forkast.News investigation found.
Ep. 21 | Dogecoin rises on TikTok challenge. Brock Pierce runs for President. CFTC planning more crypto regulations.
Other top news: Alibaba to help Cosco deploy blockchain technology for Chinese shipping industry. Fintech investment in Saudi Arabia.
SEC ‘Crypto Mom’ Hester Peirce: US will lose out in crypto innovations if regulations remain in limbo
The US is gold standard for global financial regulations. But if US does not get its act together over crypto, other nations will emerge as leaders in this growing space.
June 2020
Ep. 18 | Fed chair throws shade at Digital Dollar Project. Ripple elbows in on SWIFT. Compound dethrones MakerDao.
Other top news: China’s new blockchain cross-border payment platform for Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong. 5G for all in Shenzhen. Fintech VC in India.
China’s ‘Gaokao’ college entrance exam may have a question on bitcoin mining
10 million Chinese high schoolers will soon take the equivalent of the SAT or A-Levels, and it looks like they better study up on how crypto gets made.
May 2020
How FATF’s anti-money laundering guidelines for cryptocurrency are putting the heat on banks and VASPs
David Jevans, CEO of CipherTrace, explains FATF’s global influence and recent enforcement actions that have proven to be expensive for those caught.
April 2020
How IRS treats crypto staking: tax issues every crypto investor should know
Crypto tax expert Vamshi Vangapally explains the impact on coins like NEO, Stellar, VeChain, Ontology, Tezos and soon, ETH 2.0.
How a tokenized digital dollar could modernize the American financial system
The U.S. backed away from a digital dollar in its coronavirus relief package. But a tokenized dollar would be better for America — and bring us closer to a true central bank digital currency, says a director of the Digital Dollar Project.
Safe havens like bitcoin and gold are sinking in this pandemic economy. Where can investors find shelter?
As Covid-19 roils markets and currencies, next-generation algorithmic stablecoins may offer a smoother ride.
March 2020
How the FATF’s travel rule could push cryptocurrency into the mainstream
How are crypto companies complying with the travel rule, and what does it mean for decentralization and privacy? In a Forkast.News exclusive, industry experts analyze FATF’s impact on regulations around the world and what to expect next.
Complying with anti-money laundering regulations is a growing need for crypto companies
FATF is setting international standards, shifting the crypto world from a “wild west” mentality to a more compliant space, says CoolBitX CEO Michael Ou.
Tokenized gold: smart investment as coronavirus fuels economic turmoil?
Coronavirus fears are sending markets tumbling. Could tokenized gold, or gold-backed crypto, be the next-generation investment in times of economic trouble?
IRS crypto summit airs many questions
Specific identification, hard forks and mainstream use: U.S. crypto investors are scrambling to figure out how new guidelines will affect their tax returns.
February 2020
Ep. 2 | Lightning Loop, SEC’s crypto safe harbor, Zcash vote on mining rewards
In this episode: Lightning Loop as the Visa of bitcoin, SEC’s crypto safe harbor, and Zcash voting to give 20% of funds to developers