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Crypto exchange Fasset, Mastercard seek expansion in Indonesia

Middle East crypto exchange Fasset Technologies Ltd. is collaborating with global payments technology company Mastercard to expand its financial reach in Indonesia. See related article: Crypto exchange Fasset expands to Southeast Asia Fast facts The announcement comes after Fasset said it raised US$22 million in series A funding.  According to a survey, 41% of Indonesians […]

South Korea’s Ifland metaverse dives into play-to-earn

South Korea’s Ifland metaverse marked its first anniversary by announcing Ifland 2.0, which will feature an economy that allows users to earn profits in the metaverse, its operator telecommunications giant SK Telecom said Tuesday. See related article: South Korea’s SK Telecom to build its first Web3 wallet Fast facts The Ifland 2.0 economy will reward […]

Lightspeed launches US$500 mln fund for India, SEA

Lightspeed India Partners (LSIP) announced on Tuesday the closing of a US$500 million early stage fund (LSIP Fund IV) for India and Southeast Asia, as part of venture capital firm Lightspeed Venture Partners’ (LSVP) US$7.1 billion commitment. See related article: Huobi Ventures bets on DeFi and gaming in $10M GameFi fund Fast facts In addition […]

NFT gallery drops on Tencent’s SEA music app JOOX

JOOX, Tencent’s music streaming service for the Southeast Asian market, has launched a non-fungible token (NFT) gallery in its app, taking another step in the Chinese tech giant’s Web3 drive.  See related article: Tencent’s music app tests NFT avatars, virtual music room Fast facts In collaboration with music NFT marketplace MusicY, the new NFT gallery […]

Aespa, NCT’s SM Entertainment builds metaverse studio Kwangya

SM Entertainment (SM) announced it is establishing Studio Kwangya, a company specializing in content production in the metaverse, the leading South Korean idol agency announced on Tuesday.  See related article: Second K-pop agency taps Binance for NFT partnership Fast facts SM has represented some generational acts in K-pop since 1995 such as H.O.T., SNSD, EXO, […]

S. Korea’s Danal, LG CNS to build ‘one-for-all’ Web3 payments platform

South Korean payment services platform Danal has partnered with LG CNS to develop a payments network that hopes to bring Web3-related digital assets payments to the existing financial system. See related article: South Korea’s SK Telecom to build its first Web3 wallet Fast facts LG CNS is an information technology consulting and solutions subsidiary of […]

Bitcoin miners in Texas halt operations amid heat wave

Many cryptocurrency miners in Texas, one of the largest Bitcoin mining hubs in the U.S., are halting their operations as the state’s electrical grid faces surging power demand amid a heat wave. See related article: Marathon Digital says Montana storm knocked out most Bitcoin rigs Fast facts Nasdaq-listed miner Core Scientific on Tuesday said that […]

Why Singapore needs to rethink its approach to regulating crypto

Singapore wants to attract institutional capital while shielding its people from crypto — but it can’t have it both ways, writes Donovan Choy.

South Korea’s SK Telecom to build its first Web3 wallet

SK Telecom has partnered with blockchain firms AhnLab Blockchain Company and Atomrigs Labs to develop and operate a digital wallet for cryptocurrency management and Web3 access, the South Korean telecommunications giant announced on Monday.  See related article: South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate to issue own cryptocurrency Fast facts SK Telecom said users of its wallet will […]

Binance gets nod from Spain to offer crypto exchange, custody services

Binance’s third approval in Europe came after the Bank of Spain allowed its Spanish subsidiary to register as a virtual asset services provider (VASP), the world’s largest crypto exchange by volume said Friday.  See related article: SEC said to probe Binance for rule violation in 2017 initial coin offering: report Fast facts The registration will […]

Crypto investments to count when determining conflict of interest: US gov’t ethics watchdog

The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) said federal employees of the executive branch owning cryptocurrencies or mutual funds investing in the sector need to recuse themselves from any matter related to the industry. See related article: CFTC Commissioner Pham suggests regulators stay tech-neutral on stablecoins Fast facts The July 5 memo clarified that the […]

DTI says no legal basis to ban Binance in the Philippines

The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it cannot ban Binance for cryptocurrency-related sales and promotion as there are no clear regulations issued by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the nation’s central bank.  See related article: Crypto is based on the greater fool theory: Philippines’ incoming central bank chief Fast facts “Cryptocurrency […]

PSG sells US$220,000 NFT tickets for first Japan tour in 27 years

Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (PSG), the winning football club of the French Ligue 1, is selling non-fungible token (NFT) tickets worth 30 million yen (US$220,000) each for its friendly matches this month with local teams in Japan as well as VIP access to players. See related article: NFTs Explained in Less than 4 Minutes Fast facts […]

As earnings from play-to-earn games dwindle, some turn to upskilling players

Players are being educated to turn into writers, content creators, streamers or e-sports players as earnings from play-to-earn games aren’t enough to substitute for a day job.

Bitcoin briefly above $22,000; Binance Philippines ban urged

Bitcoin briefly returns to the US$22,000 mark. Meanwhile, InfraWatch PH calls for a ban on Binance in the Philippines.

Singapore’s low taxes draw Japan’s Web 3.0 companies

A large number of Japanese Web 3.0 companies are moving to or at least setting up new offices in Singapore, executives from Japanese blockchain gaming infrastructure builder Oasys told Forkast on Friday. See related article: Japan’s government approves policy to drive Web 3.0 adoption Fast facts Japanese firms operating in the Web3 sector need to […]
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India’s Directorate of Enforcement said to question crypto exchanges

The country’s federal agency charged with investigating money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws has reportedly reached out to Indian crypto exchanges to probe possible violations of foreign exchange rules. See related article: CoinDCX double downs as the going gets tough in India Fast facts The Enforcement Directorate has sought “further details and documents” […]

Philippines think tank calls for ban on Binance

Infrawatch PH, a public policy think tank in the Philippines, wrote to the country’s Department of Trade and Industry calling for a ban on Binance for promoting cryptocurrencies without proper licensing, according to a letter accessed by Bitpinas.  See related article: Crypto is based on the greater fool theory: Philippines’ incoming central bank chief Fast […]

Hong Kong SFC boss Ashley Alder to head UK’s Financial Conduct Authority

The U.K. Treasury on Friday named Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) CEO Ashley Alder as chairman of the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). He is expected to start in January next year. See related article: UK finance watchdog to spend £11M to warn young people off crypto investment Fast facts See related article: […]

US credit union lobby group says cost of developing CBDCs outweighs benefits

In a letter to the U.S. Commerce Department, the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU) warned that the cost of developing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) outweighs the “hypothesized benefits.”  See related article: Hong Kong to research retail CBDC cybersecurity with Israel, BIS Fast facts The organization’s July 5 letter was in line […]

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Voyager debt emerges; Celsius reshuffles board

SBF’s Alameda Research debt to Voyager emerges. Meanwhile, South Korea agrees to cooperate with the US on Terra-Luna investigation.

South Korea may team up with US to investigate crypto crimes

South Korea’s Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon met with U.S. investigative agencies in New York on Tuesday amid the countries’ separate investigations into Terra and its cofounder Do Kwon. See related article: South Korean authorities cite LUNA debacle to call for speedier crypto oversight Fast facts The minister met with Andrea M. Griswold, co-chief of the […]

South Korea’s Uprise said to have lost US$20 mln in client funds on LUNA short

The South Korean fintech startup that operates digital asset management and trading services reportedly had over US$20 million, or 99% of its client funds, liquidated amid the Terra-LUNA collapse in May. See related article: What lessons can we learn from Terra’s LUNA/UST meltdown? Fast facts The startup’s trading unit had placed client funds on a […]

Vauld buyout talks; Celsius fights against bankruptcy

Crypto exchange Vauld is in buyout talks with Nexo. Meanwhile, other exchanges are in a fight against bankruptcy as Celsius pushes on despite short squeeze.

Most Indian traders impacted by India’s crypto tax: survey

India’s 30% tax on cryptocurrencies, which met with a public outcry, has deterred the trading frequency of 83% traders, according to a survey conducted by crypto exchanges WazirX and ZebPay. See related article: Only the big fish will survive as India cracks the whip on crypto: Binance-backed WazirX Fast facts The survey included 9,500 respondents […]

Nexo in talks to buy out Vauld

Nexo said it plans to not only protect Vauld’s existing customer base but also to give them access to an improved range of services. See related article: Celsius repays debts, cuts jobs amid bankruptcy fears Fast facts Nexo said it signed an indicative term sheet with Vauld that grants it a 60-day exclusive exploratory period […]

South Korean convenience store CU helps bring booze culture to metaverse

South Korea’s largest convenience store chain CU said on Tuesday it is launching its alcohol brands on JJAANN, a local metaverse platform dedicated to drinking culture. See related article: To improve focus on studies, South Korean students turn to the metaverse Fast facts JJAANN, which calls itself the world’s first corner of the metaverse dedicated […]

MAS mulls crypto limits; Pacquiao’s Pacman NFTs

Singapore’s monetary authority mulls on crypto limits. Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao drops his NFT collection despite the crypto winter.

Can Cardano pack a punch with Pacquiao NFTs?

The boxer-dog themed collection by Filipino boxing legend Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, scheduled for minting on July 15, will be released on the Cardano blockchain, the team behind the official non-fungible tokens (NFTs) said on Monday.  See related article: Manny Pacquiao is launching NFTs in memory of dog ‘Pacman’ Fast facts The collection is named in […]

S.Korean dancer NO:ZE uses NFTs to safeguard choreography IP

South Korean star dancer NO:ZE unveiled Dance with NO:ZE on Friday, a non-fungible token (NFT) project that sets out to safeguard intellectual properties of choreographers with blockchain technology. See related article: S.Korean music sharing platform to use NFTs for copyright protection Fast facts “The choreographies created so far have not been copyrighted,” NO:ZE said in […]

Vauld halts withdrawals, trading, deposits; explores restructuring

Vauld has suspended all withdrawals, trading and deposits on its platform, the Singapore-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange said on Monday.  See related article: Three Arrows Capital files for Chapter 15 bankruptcy Fast facts The firm, backed by PayPal founder Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures, Pantera Capital and Coinbase Ventures, said it is exploring “potential restructuring options.” Vauld said […]

Singapore may limit retail participation in crypto

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is mulling additional consumer protection safeguards on crypto, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the minister in charge of the central bank, told Parliament.  See related article: Singapore’s central bank says cryptocurrencies have ‘no fundamental value’ Fast facts MAS is considering introducing rules on the use of leverage and limits on retail participation […]

Samsung produces 3nm chips that can be used for Bitcoin mining

South Korean tech giant Samsung has started producing chips using its latest 3-nanometer (nm) technology, the company said Thursday. The new chips can be used for Bitcoin mining hardware.  See related article: LG to follow Samsung adding NFT features to flagship TVs Fast facts One of the earliest clients for Samsung’s 3nm chips could be […]

Indian crypto trading volume drops as much as 63% after new tax

Trading volume in Indian cryptocurrency exchanges dropped by as much as 63% since July 1, when a 1% tax deducted at source (TDS) was imposed.  See related article: India’s latest tax assault on crypto exchanges starts Friday Fast facts Daily trading volume at cryptocurrency exchange WazirX fell more than 63% on July 1 to US$5.36 […]

EU’s new crypto rule requires stablecoin issuers to hold more reserves

European Union officials agreed to the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) law on Thursday, placing cryptocurrencies, issuers and service providers under the EU’s first regulatory framework for the industry. The rules are expected to kick in as early as 2024. See related article: European Union to track all crypto transfers Fast facts All stablecoins will fall […]

OSL cryptocurrency exchange cuts 15% of its staff

Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange OSL is reportedly laying off 40 to 60 employees, or about 15% of its workforce, to join a growing list of digital asset companies in scaling down operations amid tanking cryptocurrency prices. See related article: Coinbase, biggest US crypto exchange, cuts workforce by 18% Fast facts The job cuts are not […]

Cryptocurrencies a clear danger: India central bank chief

Cryptocurrencies are a “clear danger” and have the potential to disrupt financial stability, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das said.  See related article: Crypto crash justifies RBI’s stance: central bank chief Fast facts “Anything that derives value based on make believe, without any underlying, is just speculation under a sophisticated name,” Das said […]

China’s Ant Group, Tencent, Baidu, JD.com push for NFT self-regulation

Chinese tech giants including Ant Group, Tencent, Baidu and JD.com are joining yet another self-disciplinary initiative on eliminating speculation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), also known as “digital collectibles.” See related article: China’s diktat against NFT flipping spawns an ingenious industry Fast facts The companies pledged to resist secondary trading and ensure real-name identification in a […]

MAS takes aim at Three Arrows Capital, does not impose penalty

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has “reprimanded” cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) for misleading information and ignoring assets under management (AUM) limits, the central bank said in a statement on Thursday.  See related article: Three Arrows Capital lines up for liquidation Fast facts In August 2013, 3AC obtained its registered fund management […]

3AC contagion fears; Saylor buys more Bitcoin

3AC has reportedly been told to liquidate. Meanwhile, Microstrategy’s Saylor buys another US$10 million worth of BTC.

India’s latest tax assault on crypto exchanges starts Friday

India’s government can’t seem to decide on following China with an outright ban on crypto trading. So is it bent instead on suffocating traders and exchanges with taxes?

K-pop logs in to the metaverse strung by idols’ vagaries, inability to tour

South Korea’s behemoth music industry is trying to sidestep its reliance on human performers by debuting virtual stars in the metaverse. But severing ties with fallible K-pop idols is easier said than done.

North Korea said to be responsible for Harmony Horizon hack

State-affiliated hacker group Lazarus is allegedly connected to the US$100 million hack on Harmony Protocol’s Horizon cross-chain bridge, blockchain analytics firm Elliptic said. See related article: Horizon’s US$100 mln crypto hack prompts FBI investigation Fast facts The attack on Harmony resembled previous hacks attributed to the Lazarus Group, such as exploiting multi-signature wallet keys, extensive […]

Marathon Digital says Montana storm knocked out most Bitcoin rigs

Marathon Digital, a major Bitcoin miner in the U.S., had to halt three-fourths of its mining operations in Montana due to power outages caused by a storm, reinforcing an earlier decision to move out of the region. See related article: Compass Mining CEO, CFO resign after utility payment default allegations Fast facts The Nasdaq-listed company […]

Bitcoin Jesus denies default; Celsius fight back planned

Bitcoin CEO Roger Ver denies defaulting on a loan to CoinFLEX. Meanwhile, Youtuber Bitboy takes aim at Celsius Network.

Tencent launches XR unit to develop ‘benchmark’ VR products

Tencent has launched an extended reality (XR) division, local media reported on Tuesday, citing Steven Ma, the senior vice president of the Chinese tech giant’s gaming arm Interactive Entertainment Group (IEG).  See related article: Tencent calls dibs on metaverse virtual concerts in patent application Fast facts Tencent will develop “benchmark” products for virtual reality (VR) […]

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.” […]