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Taiwan completes trials of its prototype CBDC for retail use

Taiwan has completed trials of its prototype central bank digital currency (CBDC) in technical simulations, paving the way for the distribution of the digital currency to the public for retail use.  See related article: Crypto is based on the greater fool theory: Philippines’ incoming central bank chief Fast facts Taiwan started to study and test […]

US Treasury says prioritize sanctioning North Korea for crypto hacking

Crypto hacks facilitated by North Korea help fund its weapons of mass destruction, U.S. Treasury Department’s Brian E. Nelson said on his recent visit to South Korea. See related article: North Korea behind Ronin hack: US Fast facts Nelson met with representatives of South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) and Financial Intelligence Unit (KoFIU) on […]

CoinFLEX issues recovery tokens; MAS says cryptos not currencies

CoinFLEX to solve its liquidity problems by issuing a recovery token. Meanwhile, Singapore’s central bank doubts crypto capabilities.

Singapore’s central bank says cryptocurrencies have ‘no fundamental value’

Whither Singapore in the cryptocurrency world? The Monetary Authority of Singapore has some views on that and as with most markets, there are winners and losers.

Chinese blockchain developer calls crypto a Ponzi scheme

Cryptocurrency is a huge Ponzi scheme, Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) — the developer behind China’s state-backed blockchain infrastructure — said on Sunday.  See related article: China’s BSN to launch overseas public chain without crypto support Fast facts Crypto is an old hoax in a new form, Zhiguang Shan, chair of BSN Development Alliance, and Yifan […]

S.Korea’s Korbit issues employee IDs in CryptoPunk-like NFTs

South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Korbit said on Monday that it has issued employee identification cards (IDs) in CryptoPunks-inspired non-fungible tokens (NFTs). See related article: NFT credit card in the works for top S. Korean crypto exchange Fast facts Various South Korean industries have experimented with NFTs for official documentation, such as graduation certificates. Korbit, one […]

Australia’s ANZ stablecoin used to purchase carbon credits

The Victor Smorgon Group has used ANZ Banking Group’s Australian dollar-pegged stablecoin, A$DC, to purchase tokenized carbon credits in a transaction facilitated by crypto asset investment firm ZeroCap. See related article: Australian crypto industry watches as sole trader charges two top banks with ‘debanking’ Fast facts The carbon credits were tokenized to create digital security […]

India’s CoinDCX says it restricted crypto withdrawals

“There is a larger compliance requirement due to evolving regulatory needs resulting in increased scrutiny,” a senior executive at the Coinbase Ventures and B Capital backed cryptocurrency exchange said.  See related article: CoinDCX double downs as the going gets tough in India Fast facts “We have restricted crypto withdrawal from our platform,” with users being […]

Mind the gap: Bridging the divide between DeFi and CeFi to grow yield

As traditional finance sector firms continue to seek upside crypto exposure, bringing DeFi yields to TradFi has a bright future, says B2C2’s Phillip Gillespie.

CoinFLEX freezes withdrawals; Investors deserting Singapore

CoinFLEX joins other exchanges in freezing withdrawals. Meanwhile, crypto investors in Singapore head for the exits.

How a market slump may be helping Singapore’s stance against retail crypto

One door closes and another opens, which seems to be what’s happening in Singapore as the crypto price slump restructures the trading environment.

RBI, India banks launch blockchain-based trade financing project

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a blockchain-based trade financing pilot project in collaboration with top lenders including HDFC bank, ICICI Bank and State Bank of India, among several others, Economic Times reported, citing unidentified sources.  See related article: India FM: RBI to issue blockchain-based digital rupee Fast facts Belgium-based SettleMint, U.S.-based Corda […]

South Korea’s SK Square said to put off crypto issuance

The tech investment arm of the South Korean conglomerate reportedly halted the plan to issue its own cryptocurrency, citing the macroeconomic environment and trust issues related to cryptocurrencies. See related article: South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate to issue own cryptocurrency  Fast facts SK Square told local news agency Newsis that preparations for trademark applications and the […]

Shenzhen financial regulators vow to prevent ‘further’ crypto risks

Three financial regulators in Shenzhen said they would “prevent further risks” in crypto trading, while warning that cryptocurrencies and related businesses are illegal in the mainland.  See related article: Law can’t cover crypto losses, China court reiterates Fast facts See related article: Why domestic and overseas Chinese should worry about China’s crypto ban

India tax authorities to discuss 28% GST on crypto trading next week

Indian tax authorities will meet for two days starting June 28 to discuss a goods and services tax (GST) on cryptocurrency transactions, according to a Bloomberg report that cited unidentified sources.  See related article: India’s tax bogeyman is scaring off young crypto investors Fast facts A panel comprising federal and state finance ministers will meet […]

Tether to offer new sterling-pegged stablecoin, GBPT

Tether said it will launch a new stablecoin pegged to the British pound sterling in early July, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, USDT, announced Wednesday. See related article: Tether market cap shrinks below US$70B, lowest since October 2021 Fast facts Tether’s announcement comes a week after Circle, the operator of the world’s second-largest […]

Crypto winter ushers in account freezes as platforms feel the chill

Top blockchain and crypto news: Investors snowed in as liquidity crunch hits. Solend harpoons anti-whale maneuver. Chinese NFTs prove a tricky target.

Singapore grants Crypto.com in-principle approval toward offering payment services

The Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Wednesday said the approval toward a license will eventually allow it to offer a range of payment services in the city-state. See related article: Singapore warms up to crypto industry — on its own terms Fast facts Crypto.com has received an in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for […]

Chinese maker of virtual garment designing software raises nearly US$100 mln

Linctex Digital Technology, headquartered in China’s southeastern province of Zhejiang, Tuesday said the pre B+ round included commitments from existing investors Hillhouse Ventures and CDH Investments. See related article: Fashion, art, games and community: What does a decentralized metaverse mean for you? Fast facts Linctex’s software allows designers to create virtual wear, digitize physical fabric, […]

China’s Guizhou province to slap backdated power charges on uncovered crypto miners

Another Chinese province has introduced higher retroactive electricity charges for cryptocurrency mining projects when they are discovered, a form of financial penalty on the banned activity. See related article: China seizes over 3,500 Bitcoin mining rigs, hikes electricity rates Fast facts The Guizhou Provincial Development and Reform Commission on Monday said any uncovered cryptocurrency mining […]

BTC Markets first crypto firm to win Australian Financial Service License

Australian cryptocurrency exchange BTC Markets announced on Tuesday it has become the first crypto firm to receive an Australian Financial Service License (AFSL) from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). See related article: What does the new Australian Labor government mean for the crypto industry? Fast facts BTC Markets says the license will enable […]

S.Korea blocks ex-Terra employees from leaving country amid investigation

Prosecutors said they also wish to interview Terraform Labs Chief Executive Officer Kwon Do Hyung as part of an investigation into the multibillion dollar collapse of the company.

NFT fraud in focus; Bybit job cuts

Crypto exchange ByBit lays off 30% of its staff. And as the NFT market grows, how do we combat against scams?

Chinese NFT platform apologizes for using Hong Kong movie star Louis Koo’s images

Lianwan, a Chinese “digital collectibles” platform that sells blockchain-based images, had claimed it was working with the Hong Kong action star. But Koo’s agency has denied any involvement. See related article: Storm in a teacup? WeChat bans account for flipping NFTs Fast facts On Saturday, Lianwan apologized for using Hong Kong action star Louis Koo […]

Crypto is based on the greater fool theory: Philippines’ incoming central bank chief

Felipe M. Medalla, an economist slated to be the next governor of the Philippines central bank, is not interested in regulating crypto, which he believes is based on “the greater fool theory.”  See related article: Philippines gets new government, will new crypto taxes follow? Fast facts “The only reason you’re using this [cryptocurrencies] is you […]

Storm in a teacup? WeChat bans account for flipping NFTs

The ban comes as Chinese companies seek to comply with Beijing’s diktat against speculative activity in non-fungible tokens (NFTs). See related article: China’s diktat against NFT flipping spawns an ingenious industry Fast facts WeChat banned the official account of a Chinese NFT platform for “business activities related to secondary trading of digital collectibles or cryptocurrency.” […]

Tax, bear market temper India’s enthusiasm for NFTs

High taxes amid a bear market are tempering the enthusiasm for NFTs among Indians. But industry participants expect the country’s unique cultural and demographic characteristics to provide a long-term fillip to the industry.

Bitcoin bounces back; South Korea crypto tax delay

Bitcoin recovers from it’s weekend slump, standing at over US$20K. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s support sees Dogecoin gain 12%.

Bitcoin investments will grow ‘immensely’: El Salvador president

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele took to Twitter on Sunday to reassure Bitcoin investors, claiming such investments are safe and will grow “immensely” after the bear market. See related article: El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption, one week on Fast facts “My advice: stop looking at the graph and enjoy life. If you invested in #BTC your […]

S. Korea’s 20% crypto tax delayed by two more years

South Korea is delaying its planned crypto tax on digital assets for another two years, Ministry of Economy and Finance tax policy chief Ko Kwang-hyo announced on Thursday. See related article: S.Korea finance minister nominee wants to delay crypto tax for two years Fast facts A 20% tax on crypto asset gains was scheduled to […]

JD.com tops US$60 mln in digital yuan sales in 618 shopping festival

Chinese online retail platform JD.com reported 400 million yuan (US$60 million) in digital yuan sales at the “618” shopping festival, accounting for about 0.1% of the event’s total sales.  See related article: Double Eleven: 240,000 orders by e-CNY on top e-commerce platform Fast facts See related article: China’s zero-Covid policy realigning global economy, financial markets

3AC foreclosure concerns grow; Fed boost short lived

BlockFi’s Zac Prince says they have fully liquidated 3AC positions. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s central bank works with the Bank of Israel to study CBDC security.

Hong Kong to research retail CBDC cybersecurity with Israel, BIS

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced a joint research project with the Bank of Israel (BOI) and the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub (BISIH) Hong Kong Centre to study cybersecurity issues in retail central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). See related article: Hong Kong now exploring retail CBDC in upcoming Project Aurum Fast facts […]

NFTs in China must be reviewed: China media watchdog

Digital collectibles in mainland China will enjoy copyright protection only after a review, National Press and Publication Administration blockchain copyright director Liu Tianjiao said. See related article: China’s diktat against NFT flipping spawns an ingenious industry Fast facts See related article: China-run media outlet criticizes NFT platform as a payment risk

USDC operator Circle introduces new Euro Coin stablecoin

USD Coin (USDC) creator Circle announced on Thursday it will release the Euro Coin (EUROC), a redeemable stablecoin pegged to the euro, on June 30. See related story: US$500 mln in USDC added to TRON DAO USDD reserve Fast facts Ethereum-based EUROC will join Circle’s USDC, which is the world’s second-largest stablecoin with over US$54 […]

Huobi closes Thai crypto unit, regulator revokes license

Huobi Thailand will shut its cryptocurrency trading platform’s Thailand unit on July 1 after the country’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked its license. See related article: Can Thailand emerge as a ‘crypto-positive’ travel destination? Fast facts Huobi Thailand said the firm will no longer have any connections or legal bindings with Huobi Group following […]

Crypto rises on Fed hike; Three Arrows insolvency concerns

Bitcoin, Ethereum and TRX recover as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates. Meanwhile, Three Arrows Capital faces liquidation concerns.

Tencent, Alibaba, ByteDance have the most potential in the metaverse: report

The Chinese tech giants lead a list of the country’s top 200 companies with the most potential in the metaverse, according to rich list compiler Hurun Report. To be eligible, firms needed to have a market capitalization of US$1 billion or more.  See related article: ‘Metaverse’ enters government radar at China’s Two Sessions Fast facts […]

Coinbase lays off 8% of its India workforce

The job cuts in India were much lower than the global average of about 18%, a senior executive at the Nasdaq-listed cryptocurrency exchange said.  See related article: Coinbase, biggest US crypto exchange, cuts workforce by 18% Fast facts The largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume in the U.S. Wednesday said about 8% of its India […]

Yahoo, Meta look to Hong Kong for metaverse tests

Yahoo will host virtual concerts and exhibitions featuring celebrities and influencers for Hong Kong residents on the Decentraland metaverse, the company announced on Wednesday. See related story: Hong Kong’s subway operator plans virtual station in metaverse Fast facts Yahoo is also launching a non-fungible token (NFT) exhibition called The Abyss of Kwun Tong to recreate […]

Cryptocurrencies take a pounding as inflation worries spark sell-off

Top blockchain and crypto news: Cryptos sink as inflation rises. Celsius freeze sends CEL token tumbling. Are Inner Mongolia’s miners catching a break?

Inflation bashes crypto market; South Korea’s new listing rules

Inflation hits crypto markets hard as Bitcoin drops almost 8%. Meanwhile, South Korean exchanges work on new rules to prevent another Terra Luna incident.

South Korean exchanges cooperate to prevent another Terra-LUNA debacle

To protect the country’s investors, South Korea’s top five crypto exchanges are forming a joint council to monitor the listing and delisting of cryptocurrencies. See related article: S. Korea finance regulator to audit Terra and related exchanges Fast facts Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit and Gopax, five exchanges authorized to provide cash-to-crypto services in Korea, will […]

Manny Pacquiao is launching NFTs in memory of dog ‘Pacman’

Philippines senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is launching non-fungible token (NFT) project Pacman to commemorate his late Jack Russell Terrier. See related article: Are PewDiePie, Manny Pacquiao and Spencer Dinwiddie riding the blockchain wave? Fast facts The cartoonish boxer dog-themed NFT collection pays tribute to Pacquiao’s pet Pacman, who was accidentally run over by […]

Accepting crypto payments a priority for majority of US retailers: Deloitte

The survey by one of the Big Four accounting firms found over 85% of U.S. merchants are prioritizing the enabling of cryptocurrency payments while around 83% are doing the same for stablecoins. See related article: AMC rival Regal enables crypto payments for moviegoers Fast facts The survey found that 87% of merchants believe accepting crypto […]

Inner Mongolia’s closure of crypto mine operations slows since September

Inner Mongolia has closed 49 cryptocurrency mining farms in total, but only four since September, according to the Inner Mongolia Daily, indicating either the process has been successful or the shutdown drive mandated by Beijing is slowing. See related article: Beijing banned crypto mining, so China miners went underground Fast facts See related article: Crypto […]

India’s crypto tax a blessing in disguise, stockbroker says

Indian crypto investors got lucky after February’s tax announcements reduced trading activities ahead of the market crash, Nithin Kamath, founder and CEO of online stockbroker Zerodha said. See related article: Short selling is good for any market, including crypto: Jim Rogers Fast facts “Even when trading stocks, the biggest reason for losses is trying to […]

Do Kwon loses appeal; India’s crypto pirate warning

As the Terra saga continues to unfold, Do Kwon loses an appeal against the SEC. Meanwhile, Circle’s head of policy slams CBDCs.

Next step for spot Bitcoin ETF in the US may be a courtroom battle

It’s been a ‘Waiting for Godot’ experience for the crypto industry regarding US approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF. A decision next month by the SEC could bring a lift to crypto markets or be a boon to lawyers.

RBI to gradually launch India’s CBDC in FY23: deputy governor

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is planning to introduce a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in stages this fiscal year, T Rabi Shankar, deputy governor of the central bank, said in a press conference on Wednesday.  See related article: RBI wants its CBDC to bring ‘little or no disruption’ Fast facts “Process of [the] […]

Steph Curry, Jaylen Brown NBA Top Shot NFTs to be on China public auction

Beijing Poly International Auction teased an online auction of 32 NBA Top Shot non-fungible tokens (NFTs), including collectibles of basketball stars Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving, with starting prices ranging from 100 yuan (about US$15) to 50,000 yuan (US$ 7,471). See related article: NBA is taking the lead with blockchain, crypto Fast facts […]

Cryptocurrencies like ‘world of Caribbean pirates’: India chief economic adviser

India’s chief economic adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran compared cryptocurrencies to the “world of Caribbean pirates” in the absence of regulation where “winners take it all” from somebody else, local media reported.  Fast facts See related article: Coinbase blames India’s central bank for exit Cryptocurrencies fail to satisfy basic requirements such as having store value, widespread […]

Litecoin gets the boot; India’s tax typo

Litecoin revealed to have broke privacy laws in South Korea. Meanwhile, the Indian government corrects a typo which mistakenly altered a crypto tax.

Japan’s government approves policy to drive Web 3.0 adoption

The Japanese government on Tuesday gave the green light to a new policy that plans to develop and expand the Web3 environment in the country, including the use of cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). See related article: Japanese crypto firms team up to form a metaverse association Fast facts The approved […]

Why the IMF is wrong about El Salvador’s Bitcoin experiment

Is El Salvador committing a major blunder in making Bitcoin legal tender — or finding its way out of the hell of dollarization? Bryan Hernandez explains.

Litecoin anonymity update gets it booted from South Korean exchanges

Litecoin (LTC), the 20th-largest cryptocurrency in the world, is being ousted from South Korean crypto exchanges after its Mimblewimble Extension Blocks (MWEB) upgrade allowed the token to be sent anonymously — which is against local anti-money laundering regulations. See related article: South Korea’s crypto crackdown: What you need to know Fast facts Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, […]

India crypto tax cut to 0.1% was a ‘typo’; gov’t issues clarification

A typo error on the Income Tax Department’s website mistakenly altered a 1% tax-deducted-at-source (TDS) figure to 0.1%, and has since been rectified, the Income Tax Department said on Wednesday.  Fast facts See related article: India’s crypto tax will incur losses for government, says WazirX CEO “Some media reports have come to the notice of […]

US senators’ crypto bill; India’s crypto taxes bite

A bipartisan crypto bill has been introduced in the US Senate. Meanwhile, Singaporean investment company ADDX plans on recognizing crypto assets.

Binance comes out swinging as report links it to money laundering

Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance BNB slips amid allegations. STEPN marches through attacks. Is China’s slowdown straining crypto prices?

Hold onto your crypto bags, the regulators are coming

Falling prices, an imploding stablecoin, and more reports of hacks have occupied the cryptocurrency headlines in recent weeks, so it’s perhaps no surprise that regulators have noticed and they intend to do something about it.

Hyundai Card building its first NFT marketplace and wallet service

Hyundai Card, Hyundai Motor Group’s credit card arm, announced a joint venture with South Korean tech startup Like Lion to launch a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace in the second half of this year. See related article: Hyundai Motor drives into metaverse branding with Meta Kongz NFT project Fast facts The joint venture, coined Modern Lion, […]

Only the big fish will survive as India cracks the whip on crypto: Binance-backed WazirX

High taxes and lack of support from traditional finance make it difficult for smaller crypto operators to survive in India, a senior executive at one of the country’s largest crypto exchanges said.

University of Hong Kong develops blockchain-based system to monitor construction quality

An architecture research team at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) developed a blockchain-based system to remotely track the quality of construction of student residences, according to a press release. See related article: Blockchain-powered air quality sensor test launches in Hong Kong Fast facts The system, named E-Inspection 2.0, helps manage construction quality inspection documents, […]

Singapore’s ADDX to include crypto assets in determining eligibility for private market investments

Before the development, only traditional assets like stocks, bonds, cash and real estate could be used for an individual to have access to complicated investment options in private markets, ADDX said.  See related article: ADDX, Fullerton partner to tokenize PE fund of funds Fast facts ADDX’s move signals crypto’s status as an asset class in […]

With Artaverse, Hong Kong seeks to regain global arts influence

In hosting one of Asia’s largest outdoor NFT art exhibitions, the city — battered by lengthy quarantines and protests — is seeking to revolutionize the way art is presented.

Hong Kong says NFTs on certain assets may class as regulated securities

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) can be regulated if they represent similar characteristics to securities, particularly in the category of “collective investment schemes,” Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said on Monday.  See related article: Hong Kong retail investors blocked from Bitcoin spot ETFs Fast facts See related article: Hong Kong to propose bill to license […]

Canada’s 3iQ launches Bitcoin and Ethereum feeder ETFs in Australia

Following Australia’s recent approvals of crypto-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Canada’s 3iQ Digital Asset Management launched two crypto feeder ETFs on the Cboe Australia Exchange on Tuesday. See related article: Canada’s 3iQ could be first to launch Australian crypto ETF Fast facts The two feeder funds, one in Bitcoin and another in Ether, track the asset’s […]

Google approves South Korea’s Cyworld metaverse app

Cytown, the metaverse currently being developed under South Korean software developer Hancom and local social media service Cyworld Z, recently received the green light from Google to launch a mobile app on the Playstore. See related article: Be kind, rewind! South Korea’s Cyworld is back in Web 3.0 avatar Fast facts Hancom will launch the […]

China’s zero-Covid policy realigning global economy, financial markets

Beijing’s official GDP growth target is 5.5% this year, but some analysts don’t see how that makes sense in the face of Shanghai-size lockdowns. Could a China slowdown be good news for central bankers trying to tame inflation?
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Chongqing joins China’s digital yuan tax pilots

A Chongqing-based company became the first in the city to pay taxes with China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital yuan, according to local media. See related article: China to issue free digital yuan to boost locked down economy Fast facts See related article: What I learned from my role in digitizing the yuan

Prosecutor OKs arrest of Chinese executive accused of embezzling US$8 mln to mine Bitcoin

A prosecutor in Beijing has reportedly approved the arrest of a director of a Shanghai-listed Chinese big data company on suspicion of misappropriating the firm’s funds to mine Bitcoin, exchange filings showed. See related article: Beijing banned crypto mining, so China miners went underground Fast facts Li Qunnan, a director of the board of Zhongchang […]

To improve focus on studies, South Korean students turn to the metaverse

Studying in the metaverse is picking up steam among students in South Korea, who feel it helps them concentrate better and keep pace with peers akin to studying together at a library or at a cafe. See related article: South Korea places $185M bet on the metaverse Fast facts Students preparing for school or national […]