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ESMA publishes second MiCA consultation paper

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is seeking feedback on the second consultation paper on the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) bill, published on Thursday.  See related article: Binance ICO raised less than US$5 mln: Forbes Fast Facts See related article: What Europe’s new spot Bitcoin ETF means for global markets

HKEX to launch smart contract settlement platform

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) announced on Wednesday that it is implementing a smart contract upgrade to its Connect, a system that bridges Hong Kong and China’s stock markets, to enhance post-trade workflows and reduce settlement risk. See related article: SFC to monitor illegal VATP activities with Hong Kong Police Force Fast Facts […]

CMCC Global raises US$100 mln to launch Hong Kong Web3 fund

CMCC Global, a Hong Kong-based blockchain-focused venture capital fund, announced Wednesday that it raised US$100 million to launch the “Titan Fund.” See related article: SFC to monitor illegal VATP activities with Hong Kong Police Force Fast Facts See related article: Valkyrie CIO expects US spot Bitcoin ETF approval in Q2 2024 (Update adds comment from […]

SFC to monitor illegal VATP activities with Hong Kong Police Force

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Police Force announced Wednesday the establishment of a working group to monitoring and investigating illegal activities related to Virtual Asset Trading Platforms (VATPs).  See related article: Hong Kong crypto network Mixin loses US$200 million in hack Fast Facts See related article: JPEX […]

Bank of Korea to kick off wholesale CBDC pilot

South Korea’s central bank will be launching a pilot program for its central bank digital currency (CBDC) to explore infrastructure requirements, according to an Oct. 4 joint statement by the Bank of Korea (BOK), the nation’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS). See related article: CBDCs are coming. Here’s why you […]

EU wholesale CBDC plans to publish within weeks, France central bank governor says

European Union central banks will publish plans for a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the coming weeks, François Villeroy de Galhau, the governor of France’s central bank, said at a Tuesday event in Paris. See related article: US legislators to discuss CBDC prevention bill on Sept. 20 Fast Facts See related article: Nepal […]

Ripple attains Singapore license to offer digital payment token services

The Asia-Pacific branch of Ripple Labs has received a Major Payments Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Coinbase obtains Singapore’s Major Payment Institutions license

The Major Payment Institution license from Singapore’s central bank allows the exchange to expand its digital payment token services in the Lion City.

Taiwan tightens crypto governance, HK acts on JPEX; El Salvador stockpiles Bitcoin

Asia is stepping up the regulatory ground for the digital asset and take a look at El Salvador’s Bitcoin future.

Philippines no plans to mirror U.S. SEC’s ‘crypto crackdown’, to publish crypto framework by H1 of 2024, says securities regulator

The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission delayed the publishing of a crypto framework earlier this year citing the FTX collapse in late 2022 as the reason.

‘There’s no doubt we picked a side here’ — Chainalysis founder Michael Gronager talks analytics, Ukraine and crypto adoption in Asia

In the second in a series of 1-on-1 interviews from the Token 2049 crypto conference in Singapore held Sept. 13-14, Michael Gronager, founder of blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, spoke to Forkast about crypto use in the Ukraine conflict, tracking illicit on-chain activity and digital asset adoption in Asia.

SEC Chair Gensler faces bipartisan backlash over strict crypto regulations

Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. lawmakers berate SEC over ETF applications. NFTs down but not dead. Hong Kong sees year’s biggest crypto heist so far.

Top 10 cryptos mixed, SEC again delays decision on Ark Invest ETF filing

Toncoin led losses among top 10 cryptos. Bitcoin dropped while Ether rose marginally.

South Korea sentences ex-Coinone crypto exchange executives for bribery

Two former employees at Coinone were sentenced Tuesday for accepting bribes in exchange for listing certain cryptocurrencies on the platform.

JPMorgan’s U.K. bank Chase bans payments linked to crypto

Chase, the U.K.-based digital bank, told customers Tuesday in an email that it will ban U.K. clients from making crypto-related payments.

Bitcoin, Ether rise; BNB leads gains among top 10 cryptos

Binance’s BNB token gained the most after Binance Japan and Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation jointly announced they are collaborating on the issuance of fiat-pegged stablecoins.

Binance Japan partners with mega bank MUFJ on stablecoin project

Mitsubishi UFJ and Binance Japan will collaborate on the issuance of fiat-pegged stablecoins.

Hong Kong crypto network Mixin loses US$200 million in hack

Mixin Network announced Monday that the database of its cloud service provider was hacked, resulting in the loss of approximately US$200 million.

Bitcoin, Ether fall with Toncoin leading losses in top 10 cryptos

Bitcoin fell below US$26,500 while Ether dipped below US$1,600 in the past 24 hours.

South Korean entertainment firm NHN to build blockchain games on Sui despite local ban

NHN Corporation announced Friday that it has partnered with U.S.-based Mysten Labs to launch an on-chain game scheduled for 2024.

AI, Asia and analytics — an interview with Nansen’s Alex Svanevik

Blockchain analytics are key to understanding the nascent crypto industry. But the analysis sector is far from immune from the pressures of the ongoing crypto bear market. In the first of a series of 1-on-1 interviews from the Token2049 conference held in Singapore Sept. 13-14, Alex Svanevik, CEO of blockchain analytics firm Nansen, sat down with Forkast to discuss current crypto challenges, the Asia growth market and the increasing use of artificial intelligence in the industry.

HK’s SFC & US SEC crack the whip as Blockchain Week rocks Manila

It’s a week for regulatory enforcement in the cryptocurrency space as blockchain takes center stage in the Philippines.

Hong Kong may tighten enforcement amidst JPEX scandal, says former SFC official

The JPEX scandal sheds light on the vulnerabilities in Hong Kong’s crypto marketplace, prompting reflection on regulatory safeguards as the city aspires to be a global digital asset hub, former SFC regulator Angelina Kwan says.

Matic biggest loser among top 10; Bitcoin falls, Ether dips below US$1,600 

Matic was the biggest loser in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, falling alongside most other cryptos and with Ether falling below US$1,600. Despite Bitcoin’s sluggish price action, industry experts say that institutions continue adopting the world’s first cryptocurrency.  See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: Deutsche Bank’s crypto move propels Bitcoin to US$26,750 MATIC […]

South Korea’s Kakao, Com2Us wind down metaverse units

South Korea’s top internet company Kakao and leading game developer Com2uS are sizing down their metaverse teams after large losses.

US SEC to tighten regulatory enforcement beyond Coinbase, Binance.US

Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. SEC steps up regulatory enforcement. Gaming giant Zynga moves into NFTs. Woes ahead for JPEX exchange after HK arrests.

South Koreans hold nearly US$100 billion in crypto overseas

South Korean investors and corporations hold over 131 trillion Korean won (US$97.9 billion) worth of cryptocurrencies in overseas accounts.

Solana leads winners in top 10 cryptos; Bitcoin, Ether rise for 2nd consecutive day

Solana led gainers in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, recovering from a two-month low. Bitcoin and Ether rose during afternoon trading in Asia along with most cryptos. Market experts said that the continued entrance of large institutions could provide the crypto industry more legitimacy and price stability. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: […]

U.S. SEC denied immediate access to Binance.US software

A U.S. federal judge has denied the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission immediate access to Binance.US’ software, in response to the regulator’s motion demanding more detailed information from Binance and greater availability of its executives for depositions.

How Singapore is redefining Web3’s public-private landscape

Now a top-ranked crypto hub, Singapore is a shiny example of the central role that government can play in nurturing industry growth while bolstering consumer protections.

Citigroup debuts digital token service for institutional clients

Citigroup announced Monday the launch of its new blockchain-based cross-border payments solution for institutional clients.

JPEX crypto exchange shuts trading amid Hong Kong regulator probe

Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange JPEX is shutting trading its platform amid a probe by the Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission that said the firm was operating as an unlicensed entity, according to media reports. 

BNB leads winners in top 10 cryptos; Bitcoin, Ether rise 0.8% in afternoon trading 

BNB led gainers in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, despite Binance’s growing challenges. Bitcoin and Ether rose during afternoon trading in Asia, as market analysts are saying it could start picking up more bullish momentum above the US$26,000 mark. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: Deutsche Bank’s crypto move propels Bitcoin to US$26,750 […]

What Europe’s new spot Bitcoin ETF means for global markets

Europe’s first spot Bitcoin ETF ushers in an era where traditional finance and crypto are converging, setting the stage for digital assets to become mainstays in the economy.

Friend.tech a surprise hit among crypto investors at Token2049 as they urge ecosystem expansion

Funders see the novel social media network as emblematic of an abundance of opportunity in crypto and DeFi amid infrastructure gaps and increased integration with real-world assets

Half a world away — Gary Gensler’s SEC dominates discussion at Singapore’s Token 2049

Billed as Asia’s largest crypto event, Token 2049 took place over Sept. 13-14 in the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore. Drawing over 10,000 attendees from all parts of the world, there was excitement about blockchain adoption in the region. But repeat references to one man were a reminder of the U.S. regulatory concerns weighing heavily on the crypto industry.

Binance.US cuts manpower, FTX liquidates crypto as people throng to TOKEN 2049

We bring you to one of the biggest crypto events in Asia.

Weekly Market Wrap: Deutsche Bank’s crypto move propels Bitcoin to US$26,750

Bitcoin hit a weekly high of US$26,750 after Deutsche Bank announced plans to offer crypto custody services for institutional investors, days after Standard Chartered launched its own institutional crypto wing.

Most top 10 cryptos rise; Tron, Toncoin biggest gainers

Bitcoin rises past US$26,500. All other top 10 cryptos gain, except BNB.

Binance.US CEO calls it quits amid major layoffs

Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance.US undergoes staffing shakeup. Ethereum NFTs at risk. India to take a stand on crypto.

Toncoin gains 13% on Telegram partnership; Bitcoin, Ether little changed 

Toncoin led gainers in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, rising over 13% after the project announced its partnership with Telegram. Bitcoin and Ether were little changed during afternoon trading in Asia, but market analysts are looking at September as a period for strategic Bitcoin accumulation. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: ETF developments […]

Astar, Polygon joins power to launch zkEVM solution for wider Web3 adoption

Japan-based Astar Network announced Wednesday that it is launching its zkEVM solution powered by Polygon’s Chain Developer Kit.

Hong Kong crypto exchange CoinEx suffers hack, at least US$43 million lost

Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange CoinEx Global suffered a security breach on Tuesday, resulting in an estimated loss of US$43 million in cryptocurrencies.

Nepal central bank plans CBDC within two years, crypto and stablecoin still excluded, says spokesperson

It has been more than a year since Nepal’s central bank, the Nepal Rastra Bank, initiated amendments to the law to enable the issuance of the digital version of the Nepalese rupee. What is the status of its CBDC?

Standard Chartered’s crypto custody arm Zodia launches in Singapore

Zodia Custody owned by Standard Chartered, announced Tuesday that it is launching its services in Singapore for financial institutions.

Gaming blockchain Oasys partners Japan telco KDDI’s αU Wallet, αU Market in Web3 push

Oasys, a blockchain-based game development platform, will team up with non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace αU market and cryptocurrency wallet αU Wallet – a crypto wallet by KDDI, one of Japan’s top three telecom companies – for users to trade NFTs on the αU market. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: ETF developments bolsters Bitcoin above […]

Bitcoin, Ether extend losses; G20 eyes global crypto regulation

Bitcoin started the week below US$26,000 while Ether dropped to US$1,611. Toncoin and XRP lead losers in the last 24 hours.

Korea Blockchain Week: diverging crypto paths for the US and Asia

The annual Korea Blockchain Week conference in Seoul is running from Sept. 4 to 10. Crypto industry leaders and advocates from around the world have gathered in the South Korean capital to discuss all things blockchain, including the growing regulatory gap between the U.S. and Asia.

From Fukuoka to the world? The Japanese DAO trying to shake up sports fandom

In the second installment of Forkast’s ‘Crypto in Sport’ series we head to the land of the rising sun, where J1 League football club Avispa Fukuoka have incorporated a first-of-its-kind DAO into their operations. Can the DAO provide a model for the rest of the sports world to follow? Can it change the way fans engage with their clubs?

India’s G20 Presidency, Blockchain Week & Singapore’s new President

As the 2023 G20 Summit is set to kickoff over the weekend, we take a closer look at India’s role in kicking off its crypto regulation agenda.

Ether, most top 10 cryptos rise as Bitcoin leads gains in market recovery 

Bitcoin rose in afternoon trading in Asia, leading the gainers in the top 10 cryptocurrencies, fueling a wider market recovery as it returned to the US$26,000 support level. Despite the uptick, market experts warn of another potential drop to US$25,000. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: Grayscale’s favorable court verdict, ETF hype fail to lift […]

North Korean hackers stole US$41 million from gambling site: FBI

North Korea-backed Lazarus Group was behind the US$41 million hack of online crypto gambling platform Stake.com on Monday, FBI says.

Coinbase and Wall Street: The merging worlds of TradFi and crypto

Top blockchain and crypto news: Coinbase steps up to fill void of crypto lenders. NFTs extend losses. What’s next for crypto as Singapore gets a new president?

Solana leads gains following Visa partnership news, Bitcoin little changed even as whales snap up asset

Solana led gainers in the top 10 cryptos, after the protocol announced a new partnership with payments giant Visa.

Japan’s Mizuho bank to join MUFG’s stablecoin platform

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation and Web3 developer Ginco Inc. have partnered to introduce what they call Japan’s first “crypto asset trust.”

US regulation could stifle blockchain innovation, says former White House cybersecurity director

Blockchain innovation in the U.S. could suffer from over-regulation of the crypto industry, cybersecurity expert Carole house said.

South Korea’s Hana bank partners with BitGo on digital asset services

KEB Hana Bank, one of South Korea’s largest financial institutions, will offer digital asset custody services from the latter half of 2024.

India’s G20 presidency has failed to advance global crypto governance, ex-finance secretary says

With nine months under its G20 presidency belt, India’s approach to cryptocurrency governance remains static. Amid regulatory ambiguity, the nation’s crypto industry struggles to cope with stringent tax rules.

Bitcoin flat below US$26,000 as rate hike woes cool down

Bitcoin edged up on Monday morning in Asia but remained below US$26,000. Ether also stayed range-bound at around US$1,650.

Grayscale wins against SEC as India moves on blockchain; Friend.tech loses friends

Welcome to Forkast IQ, presented by Forkast’s Angie Lau, where we look beyond the headlines to get you insights that power smarter decisions.

Bitcoin below US$26,000, most other top 10 cryptos extend losses

Bitcoin, Ether and other cryptos dropped on Friday afternoon in Asia. Toncoin and Tron gained.

How crypto can help Africa reap greater yields — of the agricultural kind

Assisted by blockchain and AI, small farmers can make better use of data for more bountiful harvests. But adapting to new technology isn’t always easy.

Grayscale triumphs over SEC: A David v. Goliath win in the crypto arena

Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. court compels SEC to review Grayscale’s ETF application. SEC zooms in on NFTs. Asia’s richest man eyes blockchain, CBDCs

Uniswap securities violation charges dismissed by US court

A U.S. district court on Wednesday dismissed charges against a group of five firms for alleged securities violations on the Uniswap DeFi platform.

All top 10 cryptos fall except Dogecoin, as boost from Grayscale ETF ruling fades

Bitcoin, Ether and most other top 10 cryptos dropped on Thursday after a Wednesday rally on news of Grayscale receiving a favorable ruling against the SEC.

India’s CoinSwitch crypto exchange fires 44 employees as trading volumes drop

CoinSwitch, an Indian cryptocurrency exchange backed by Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital, has laid off 44 employees from its customer support team due to a drop in customer queries with falling trading volumes.

Crypto market gets boost from favorable court ruling for Grayscale against U.S. SEC

Prices of all cryptocurrencies rose on Wednesday after a U.S. court backed Grayscale on its Bitcoin ETF application, compelling the SEC to review its rejection of the application.

Hong Kong grants SEBA Bank in-principle approval for crypto trading

The Hong Kong branch of SEBA Bank has received an in-principle approval from regulators to provide virtual asset trading services in the jurisdiction.

Bitcoin, Ether gain; traders cautious as U.S. regulator goes after NFT firm

Bitcoin, Ether rose less than 1% in the past 24 hours while posting losses on the week. Polkadot led gains among top 10 cryptos.

Asia’s richest man bets on blockchain, CBDC

Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man from India, said on Monday that his Reliance Industries Ltd. is exploring blockchain-based platforms and central bank digital currencies (CBDC).

India’s PM advocates global ethical framework for cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence

Amid growing concerns around algorithm biases and their societal impact, India Prime Minister Modi calls for international consensus on ethical AI and crypto governance at the B20 summit. 

Bitcoin dips below US$26,000, crypto faces downward pressure amid Fed’s rate hike signals

Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies face headwinds on the first trading day of the week in Asia following the U.S. central bank’s Jackson Hole Symposium remarks, while Tron bucks the trend with modest gains.