December 2021
Crypto hit in market sell off; Bitget reportedly suspended by MAS
Crypto hit in market sell off, also Bitget reportedly suspended by MAS
Bitget suspended over Army Coin, named after K-pop boy band BTS fanbase
Singapore-based crypto exchange had claimed the fan token would support BTS members — while the band’s agency denied any association with it.
Binance crypto license plans in Singapore uncertain
Will crypto exchange Binance withdraw its license application in Singapore and look elsewhere in its search for a new global home?
December 2021
How will CBDCs benefit economies in Southeast Asia?
Central banks around the world are exploring digital currencies, writes Aymeric Salley of StraitsX. Here’s why Southeast Asia may be especially ripe for them.
3 teams, including ConsenSys, win Singapore’s CBDC Global Challenge
The projects topped 300 rivals in their potential to improve the future digital Singapore dollar in payment services and financial inclusion. Who were the other winners?
How Singapore is looking at Web 3.0 and DeFi as it prepares for a digital Singapore dollar
Speaking at the Singapore FinTech Festival, Singapore central bank chief Ravi Menon announces the launch of Project Orchid, a digital dollar project.
DBS’ digital assets under custody surge 200% in Q3, bank to scale up digital exchange
DBS Bank — Southeast Asia’s largest lender — intends to scale its crypto exchange as it invests in blockchain and wants to be nimble to adapt to how DeFi evolves.
November 2021
What Singapore’s novel crypto license scheme means for the future of payments
In a special Q&A, CEO Louis Liu describes the hoops FOMO Pay jumped through to win Singapore’s first crypto license and calls its regulator a ‘collaborator.’
How Singapore’s crypto regulations are shaping its DeFi space
Singapore is a major crypto hub. But for whom? In this primer, Malcolm Tan explains the island-state’s regulatory evolution and which groups are no longer in its favor.
How Singapore is emerging as a safe harbor for the Chinese crypto industry exodus
As China intensifies its crypto crackdown, regulatory clarity is a beacon for safer shores in Southeast Asia.
October 2021
Singapore’s cult-favorite premium collectibles maker XM Studios finances expansion plans through tokenization
Design studio that makes hand-crafted statues for global brands such as Marvel, DC Comics and Hasbro plans to expand into new product categories, markets and NFTs.
Korean exchanges offered lifeline; NFL bans crypto sponsorships
Korean exchanges offered lifeline while NFL bans crypto sponsorships
September 2021
How blockchain is transforming shipping and redefining global trade
Rising from the rubble of a Covid economy, shipping companies are now using blockchain technology to rebuild profitability and reduce inefficiencies.
What is the regulatory outlook for virtual asset exchanges in Hong Kong and Singapore?
Singapore and Hong Kong are at the forefront of regulations over crypto exchanges, writes Vince Turcotte of Eventus Systems. Here’s why trade surveillance and risk management will be critical.
DBS Bank’s digital exchange assets surge 60% in Q2
DBS eyes bigger investor base as digital assets under custody top US$100 million.
August 2021
Stablecoins promise much, but can they deliver?
As issuer Circle prepares to list and China sounds the alarm over speculation, the mood among regulators is mixed, despite stablecoins’ clear appeal to investors.
BIS: cooperation essential for CBDCs to improve cross-border payments
In a new report, BIS says countries must work together and design CBDCs with interoperability in mind. Hong Kong and Singapore lead mCBDC efforts.
July 2021
Why big investors are pouring money into blockchain data analytics for crypto
Nansen, a Singapore startup, is the latest darling of venture capitalists like Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) bullish on the growing field of crypto analytics.
How Singapore and Cambodia see digital currencies for cross-border use
In a recent conference, central bankers from Cambodia and Singapore discuss how digital currencies are transforming existing payment systems for the better.
Bitcoin hot in Singapore; China crypto mining bans widen | The Daily Forkast
El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin has the world buzzing. Can Singapore be next? China mining crackdown continues.
DBS Bank tapping on tokenized bonds as a new way to invest
From digital bonds to real estate, blockchain-enabled security token offerings and tokenization are redefining corporate fundraising and investing.
June 2021
Will Singapore launch a people’s digital currency — and support DeFi?
As Singapore builds Project Dunbar, a cross-border multiple-CBDC platform, its government dives into DeFi learning and ponders a CBDC for the masses.
How S. Korea and Singapore are grappling with crypto investor protection
As retail interest in crypto grows, countries around the world are grappling with consumer protection. Asia offers a window into the array of policy responses.
5 US digital dollar pilots launching to chase China’s CBDC lead
The private sector-led Digital Dollar Project is planning CBDC pilots for the US. How are central bank digital currency efforts and progress different in Asia?
As DeFi swells past US$140 billion, FATF stokes worries over KYC/AML
Fast-growing DeFi — still a largely unregulated industry — gives FATF an earful over its proposed ‘travel rule’ and expanded anti-money laundering rules.
May 2021
JPMorgan, DBS Bank and Temasek partner on ‘game-changer’ blockchain for payments
JPMorgan, DBS Bank and Temasek jointly form a new company, Partior, to develop a blockchain platform for cross-border payments and settlements.
How Singapore transformed from fishing village to crypto powerhouse
The Lion City’s status as Asia’s crypto haven was no accident, writes Shaun Djie of Digix. What can other countries learn from Singapore’s fintech success?
ASEAN+1 pledge to advance blockchain; Paypal to launch wallet in China | The Daily Forkast
Six blockchain groups in the Asia-Pacific form a consortium, aiming to champion blockchain advocacy in the region.
New ASEAN Blockchain Consortium forms to champion blockchain
Blockchain organizations from Australia and five Southeast Asian nations join forces for blockchain advocacy, public education and talent development.
Meitu buys more crypto; Hong Kong, Singapore tease NFT platforms | The Daily Forkast
Meitu adds to its crypto treasury while Singapore and Hong Kong gear up for the NFT craze.
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?
New art and fashion NFT platforms coming to Hong Kong, Singapore
Welcome to crypto’s latest catwalk. Publisher of Vogue Singapore and a Hong Kong exchange unveil plans to turn up the heat on Asia’s NFT market.