Articles filed under

Asia-Pacific

118 articles

August 2022

Klaytn chief says reducing ‘human elements’ can prevent hacks

After high-profile cyberattacks on decentralized apps, the blockchain industry is in a hurry to ramp up security. Sam Sangmin Seo, head of Klaytn, tells Forkast that minimizing human error may be the key.

Binance-WazirX spat heats up as investors yank funds from Indian exchange

Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance spurns WazirX amid India probe. BlackRock bets on Coinbase. Crypto influencers in China’s crosshairs.

India crypto traders try to dodge fallout from WazirX woes, spat with Binance

What’s a crypto trader to do when the government freezes exchange assets, sparking a war of words between supposedly ‘merged’ exchanges?

Digital dollar push; Tornado Cash blacklisted

Welcome to The Daily Forkast – August 9, 2022 – presented by Angie Lau. Coming up on today’s show: US lawmakers aim to push Fed on digital dollar. Circle freezes smart contract addresses linked to blacklisted Tornado Cash. Also, Hodlnaut freezes withdrawals, swaps and deposits. Zipmex to release specific amounts of Bitcoin and Ether. And […]

Why Singapore may be the ideal place for companies to rebuild post-crypto winter

Singapore is growing its digital assets industry while reducing risks, and its clear regulations allow firms to better plan for the future, writes Desmond Yong of DTC.

Welcome to Web3, (hopefully) not a bigger monster than its version 2 sibling

How does a centralized internet browser plan for a decentralized future? Reinvention, and finding a receptive audience. First stop, Southeast Asia.

Coinbase-Blackrock deal, India’s blockchain outlook

Coinbase and Blackrock partner up to provide institutional crypto access. Meanwhile, Instagram expands NFT platform.

South Korea’s all-encompassing crypto law is coming — what we know so far

Lawmakers are pulling together regulations for trading in digital assets. If all goes to plan, the so-called Digital Asset Basic Act will be in shape by the first half of 2023.

US crypto bill pile up; Philippines Binance warning

US Senate proposes the CFTC takes responsibility of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Meanwhile, Philippine authorities warn against Binance

Blockchain in India got off on wrong foot, says former finance chief 

India’s government doesn’t like cryptocurrencies and has made that clear in statements and with heavy taxes on the asset class, but what does that say about blockchain adoption?

Filecoin on a tear as cautious optimism returns to crypto markets

Top blockchain and crypto news: Filecoin leads in market uptick. CryptoPunks in new glow as Tiffany jewelry. Chinese firms flock to Singapore.

Nomad’s US$200 million hack; Saylor steps down

Nomad loses US$200 million after over 300 suspected of participating in the hack. Meanwhile, Michael Saylor moves from CEO to Chairman of Microstrategy.

Flippening ahead?; NFT sales fall again

Is the flippening coming soon? And NFT sales drop 25% in July as the crypto winter continues.

ETH merge delay concerns; Buterin’s clown call

The ETH2 merge could once again be delayed. Meanwhile, Vitalik Buterin calls Michael Saylor “a total clown”.

FastForkast headlines

South Korea’s top financial regulator to accelerate new crypto legislation

HKMA announces competition to promote CBDCs

India’s CoinSwitch to fund Web 3.0 startups

India’s WazirX says it has no-tolerance policy on illegal activities

Naver’s Zepeto metaverse starts blockchain initiative with Solana

Thailand’s central bank to get more power in crypto regulation overhaul: report

India’s WazirX to delist EasyFi

Issue tokens later for growth, not for initial fundraising, advises Binance chief Changpeng Zhao

Wemade CEO expects South Korea to lift ‘absurd’ ban on P2E next year

Binance to stop off-chain transfers with India’s WazirX

China shuts 13,000 social media accounts for promoting crypto investment

Crypto.com enters South Korea market with two local startup acquisitions

Netflix K-drama hit Extraordinary Attorney Woo to launch NFT project with Polygon

Business as usual at India’s WazirX as Binance distances itself

Bitget offers ‘protection fund’ to users as emergency insurance

S.Korea’s Bithumb links system with Samsung Securities, mobile apps

Revolut starts crypto service in Singapore

India questions Binance-backed WazirX on foreign exchange violations

S.Korea’s Hashed plans new VC fund round after losing US$3.6B in Terra LUNA

Crypto.com, K-pop agency Fantagio enter joint NFT venture

Indian startup tries to solve country’s crypto tax nightmare

MetaKongz NFT prices drop on OpenSea over internal conflicts

Singapore court gives Vauld parent three-month protection from creditors

Digital Treasures Center latest to win Singapore’s crypto license

S.Korea Busan Bank employee allegedly embezzles US$1.1 mln to invest in Bitcoin

August 2022

Bad actors in North Korea, Russia send record-high funds to crypto mixers

A new report by Chainalysis shows that sanctioned actors, especially in North Korea and Russia, are sending record sums to crypto mixers.

IMF warning shrugged off; US stablecoin bill race

The crypto market shrugs off IMF’s predicted recession risk. Also, U.S lawmakers racing to introduce the stablecoin bill.

Scarred by Terra-LUNA, South Korea moves ahead with digital asset reform

Aiming to uncover the next “BTS in finance,” Chairman Kim Joo-hyun of the Korean Financial Services Commission (FSC) is calling for “bold reforms” in financial regulations, including in crypto assets.

Fed nerves hit crypto; Philippines crypto tax pushed

Crypto prices fall ahead of the Fed meeting. Meanwhile, the Philippines pushes for a crypto tax.

Philippine President Marcos Jr pushes tax on digital services

In his first State of the Nation address, Philippine President Bongbong Marcos Jr. laid out his administration’s plans for the next six years including the imposition of tax on digital service providers that could include crypto exchanges.

BSP says no crypto ban; Rehab for crypto addicts

Philippine BSP governor denies plans on banning crypto. Meanwhile, a former Coinbase employee has been arrested for insider trading.

Philippine central bank governor says no plan to ban crypto

New Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla is no fan of crypto, but in an exclusive interview with Forkast, he said there’s no plan to outlaw the digital asset.

Tesla’s Bitcoin bump; Zipmex freezes withdrawals

Bitcoin drops after Tesla sells 75% of its bitcoin holdings. Meanwhile, South Korean authorities raid 15 companies as part of their Terra Luna investigations.

Bitcoin’s real role examined; 3AC’s complex ties revealed

A report says Bitcoin users are looking beyond investment. Meanwhile, court document reveals strong ties between 3AC and TPS Capital.

Celsius plans repayment options; Bitcoin breaks US$22,000

Celsius says users can settle for cash or go long on crypto. Meanwhile in the markets, Bitcoin breaks US$22,000.

FastForkast headlines

S.Korea Busan Bank employee allegedly embezzles US$1.1 mln to invest in Bitcoin

Terra allegedly ramped up its numbers with insider trading: report

Creditors take hostile action as crypto firm Vauld seeks bankruptcy protection

Hong Kong to launch US$637 mln tech fund for startups: report

HK crypto exchange OSL sells security tokens to institutional investors

S.Korea slaps ‘notification upon arrival’ on Terra’s Do Kwon

Illegal foreign exchange trading with Bitcoin ‘Kimchi Premium’ probed in S.Korea

Zipmex targets raising US$50 mln to cover exposure to embattled crypto lenders

KuCoin dismisses rumors, eyes India for growth: report

Binance’s Changpeng Zhao sues Bloomberg publisher in HK

Japanese bank SMBC plans to develop NFT business

FTX said to be in talks to acquire S. Korea crypto exchange Bithumb

Total number of crypto users likely to reach 1 billion by 2030: report

Thai SEC seeks additional clarification from Zipmex

Indonesia’s wholesale CBDC to be ready for bank use by year end: report

Zipmex extends withdrawal freeze until Friday; no time specified

Kakao’s Ground X forms business alliance to expand NFT use cases, services

India won’t offer respite from steep crypto taxes

S.Korea prosecutors raid crypto exchanges as part of Terra-LUNA investigation

Singapore crypto lender Vauld reportedly owes retail investors US$363 million

Crypto trading volumes in India recover

Crypto exchange Zipmex freezes withdrawals

US Justice Dept. seizes US$500K from North Korea-backed hackers