September 2023
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.
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.
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.
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.
Who’s who in the Sam Bankman-Fried trial?
FTX’s former CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, faces DOJ scrutiny with seven charges. Here are the six key figures in the coming crypto courtroom showdown.
Investing in a Monet painting is no longer just for the super-rich, thanks to blockchain
The gates are opening for ordinary investors to buy into real-world assets like rare art and fancy real estate. But regulations and compliance hurdles remain.
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.
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.
Bitcoin ETF: The quiet 800-pound gorilla in the room is about to roar
The general public does not know this yet, but there is no longer any doubt that a Bitcoin spot ETF will come to the US market, writes Charlie McGlynn of XREX. It’s just a matter of when.
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.
August 2023
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.
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.
SEC charges NFT project with securities law violations
The U.S. SEC charged Impact Theory, a Los Angeles-based media and entertainment company, on Monday with offering unregistered securities in the form of NFTs.
Singapore unveils stablecoin regulatory framework
The Monetary Authority of Singapore unveiled a stablecoin regulatory framework on Tuesday as the city-state aims to become a global hub for the crypto industry.
SEC to appeal in Ripple case, says ruling is a matter of opinion
SEC seeks to appeal a court ruling in July that the programmatic sale of Ripple’s XRP cryptocurrency did not qualify as sales of financial securities.
Crypto’s fear and loathing: Will TradFi take over?
Moves by big financial institutions into digital assets are worrisome to crypto purists, but it could be just what crypto needs to shake off its doldrums, writes Konstantin Horejsi of Blocktrade.
Binance could face fraud charge from US Department of Justice
Officials at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are considering fraud charges against Binance, according to news site Semafor.
Shanghai plans blockchain infrastructure hub to link with Hong Kong, Singapore by 2025
Shanghai plans to build a blockchain infrastructure by the end of 2025 and establish links with Hong Kong and Singapore.
July 2023
Financial Stability Board recommends stricter global crypto regulation after year of industry blow-ups
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published on Monday a global regulatory framework for crypto-asset activities to provide a global regulatory and supervisory foundation for crypto. The recommendations made to the G20 – the 20 leading economies of the world – are based upon the principle of “same activity, same risk, same regulation.”
How Asia is emerging as a safe haven for digital assets: Opinion
As the US is engulfed in regulatory strife, Asian countries are rolling out legal frameworks that attract crypto investment, protect consumers and encourage innovation.
SEC accepts BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF application for review
The U.S. SEC has accepted BlackRock’s application for a spot Bitcoin ETF, a major step for the potential launch of the country’s first spot Bitcoin ETF.
US court rules in favor of XRP in Ripple Labs case against SEC, with caveats
Judge Analisa Torres ruled on Thursday that Ripple Labs’ programmatic sales of the XRP cryptocurrency did not qualify as the offer and sale of investment contracts.
South Korea mandates new accounting rules for domestic crypto sector
South Korea’s FSC is requiring companies that issue or own cryptocurrencies to provide detailed crypto disclosures from 2024.
Tokenization makes the world a better place, and Asia is paving the way: Opinion
Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Thailand have regulations supporting the growth of tokenization, showing the world the benefits of fractionalizing assets.
South Korea approves crypto bill to protect investors, goes into effect in one year
South Korea approved a bill to protect cryptocurrency investors as part of building the country’s first legal framework devoted to digital assets.
June 2023
U.K. bill to regulate crypto assets passes into law, offering ‘rocket boost’ for economy
A U.K. bill to recognize cryptocurrency trading as a regulated financial activity passed into law on Thursday.
Crypto gets a boost following reports of Fidelity’s imminent Bitcoin spot ETF filing
Top blockchain and crypto news: Fidelity Investment is reportedly close to filing its own Bitcoin ETF. NFT traders seek liquidity. Singapore eyes asset tokenization.
Crypto is sweeping South and SE Asia. Here’s why it matters to the rest of the world
Five countries in South and Southeast Asia now rank in the global top 10 for cryptocurrency adoption, embracing DeFi and defying government attempts to discourage crypto use. Is this a harbinger of larger trends to come?
Hong Kong is the crypto industry’s beacon amid the current storm: Opinion
The relationship between Hong Kong and crypto will likely only grow stronger over time, as it’s based on mutual respect as well as need, writes Lily King.
How Dubai and Hong Kong are shifting crypto’s power dynamics: Opinion
As the US grapples with crypto regulation, Hong Kong and Dubai are emerging as leaders in the global digital economy, writes Ben Caselin of MaskEX.
Crypto firms eye Hong Kong amid tough US regulations, says fintech association chair
Amid growing regulatory scrutiny in the U.S., crypto firms eye Hong kong for its strategic location and friendly regulations, yet Singapore and Dubai remain strong competitors, says FinTech Association of Hong Kong’s Neil Tan.
Binance France under investigation for money laundering: CoinDesk
Binance France is reportedly under investigation for “aggravated” money laundering and the illegal provision of digital asset services.
Back to the physical: China metaverse seeks to boost real-world economy
The final story in a three-part series on Asia metaverse developments looks at China’s national strategy, which has seen dozens of cities and provinces release spending plans and training schemes to adopt this digital world in real-world industries. China’s initiatives, however, face challenges from regulation and global competition.
Bitcoin, Ether extend losses; XRP drops most among top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin and Ether continued to slide amid lawsuits against top crypto exchanges in the U.S.
How low can NFTs go?
SEC scrutiny sends NFT market into downturn. Traders liquidate or hold off as Forkast 500 NFT Index hits all-time low amidst crypto turbulence.
XRP reverses gains after document release in SEC lawsuit vs Ripple
Prices of XRP, which powers some of Ripple Labs’ payment services, reversed gains that followed the release of internal SEC documents related to the lawsuit against Ripple.
How American courts have become central to crypto law
To date, none of the 30-plus crypto bills in Congress have become law, so judges are stepping up to fill the void. What does this mean for crypto in America?
The SEC has spoken: The future of finance is not in America
The SEC’s one-two punch of Coinbase and Binance couldn’t have come at a better time for Hong Kong and Singapore, as US crypto firms look to shift to friendlier shores, writes Hamilton Keats of Krayon Digital.
Insights from Dubai’s cryptocurrency scene as city looks to be global digital assets hub
Ghassan Jumblat, fintech director at financial services company Integrated Communications Channel discusses the evolution of the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, as the city positions itself as a future hub for digital assets.
Hong Kong legislator encourages Coinbase to set up shop in city under new crypto rules
Local legislator suggests global cryptocurrency exchanges such as U.S.-based Coinbase set up operations in Hong Kong as the city’s new licensing regime for crypto retail trading took effect on June 1.
EU’s MiCA crypto rules published in official journal
The Official Journal of the European Union published on Friday the European Union’s landmark Markets in Crypto Assets law (MiCA), stating that the regulation would enter into force in 20 days from the date of publication.
The grand experiment in crypto compliance: What will the future look like?
From US crackdowns on Binance and Coinbase to new business-friendlier frameworks in Hong Kong and Europe, seismic shifts in crypto regulations are under way.
SEC Chair Gary Gensler offered to advise Binance in 2019: CNBC
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler allegedly offered to serve as an advisor to Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, in 2019, according to a CNBC report on Wednesday that cited documents filed by the regulator.
Why the US is waging war on Binance, Coinbase
Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance, Coinbase in SEC firing line. Solana NFTs slump as Bitcoin’s surge. New dawn in Hong Kong crypto regulations.
China state media covers SEC’s lawsuit against Binance, CEO Changpeng Zhao
CCTV, China’s largest national TV broadcaster, ran about a minute-long segment on Tuesday flagging SEC’s lawsuit against Binance and its founder Changpeng Zhao.
SEC sues Coinbase for violating securities rules a day after Binance lawsuit
The U.S. SEC sued Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S., for allegedly breaching securities rules, less than 24 hours after the regulator sued Binance on similar charges.
Crypto industry reacts to SEC’s lawsuit against Binance
The SEC sued Binance on Monday, amid mounting regulatory scrutiny of crypto exchanges. Industry experts shared insights on what this could mean for Binance and how it could drive crypto innovation out of the U.S.
MUFG enables bank-backed stablecoin issuance amid new Japanese regulations
MUFG, Japan’s leading bank, is pioneering the crypto industry by supporting stablecoin issuance on the Progmat Coin platform, offering an alternative route for entry and exit in the volatile cryptocurrency market.
Binance, US platform, CEO face SEC lawsuit over alleged securities violations
The U.S. regulator alleges Binance and its leader of unregistered offers, sale of tokens, defrauding investors and manipulating trade volumes.
Why G7’s proposed crypto regulations will be bad for DeFi
FATF’s travel rule is looming over the crypto industry as an existential threat, writes Jack Jia of Unlimit. Here’s why it’s especially worrying to DeFi and self-custody wallet users.
Hong Kong to be digital asset rules sandbox for China, says former city regulator
Virtual assets will receive the same regulatory clarity in Hong Kong as their real-world counterparts, says former Hong Kong SFC regulator Angelina Kwan.
May 2023
UAE and Hong Kong central banks to collaborate on crypto regulation
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority have agreed to strengthen cooperation in regulating virtual assets.
In battle to be Asia’s crypto hub, which city will emerge victorious?
Top blockchain and crypto news: Asia’s crypto hub race. Is US debt ceiling fight a boon or a bane for crypto? China’s red carpet for metaverse investment.
South Korea will require all public officials to disclose crypto holdings from 2024
South Korean lawmakers unanimously approved a new bill requiring public officials to disclose their crypto holdings to be implemented in December.
Hong Kong’s new crypto rules covered by China state TV in rare move from Beijing
Analysts say the move could signal a bull run in cryptocurrencies.
Japan to implement anti-money laundering rules for crypto: report
Japan will introduce strict anti-money laundering rules on cryptocurrency transactions from June 1, the Southeast Asian nation’s cabinet decided on Tuesday.
Crypto’s aversion to anti-money laundering standards is only hurting itself
For crypto to grow for the long term, the industry must show greater respect for global standards that combat crime, writes Slava Demchuk of AMLBot.
Hong Kong? Singapore? Tokyo? Seoul? Dubai? The race is on for the Web3 hub of Asia | Part 2
While U.S. regulators continue debating over whether cryptocurrencies are securities or commodities, the digital assets industry is being pleasantly welcomed by several Asian cities. And the competition is really hotting up now.
Bitget crypto exchange registers in Poland
Seychelles-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange Bitget announced on Tuesday that it successfully registered as a virtual asset service provider in Poland.
Are deposit tokens the new stablecoins — or a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Stablecoins are a key part of the crypto ecosystem, but banks like JPMorgan are now exploring deposit tokens as an alternative. Which is better, and why?
S.Korean lawmakers propose public officials disclose crypto holdings
A South Korean ruling party lawmaker proposed all public officials and candidates disclose their crypto holdings in a new bill unveiled last Friday.
Circle: US regulation can help create the ‘most stable stablecoin’
Circle Vice President of Global Policy Corey Then says he is optimistic that U.S. regulatory developments can eventually benefit local players despite ongoing scrutiny.
Big buys fail to lift NFT markets as regulatory uncertainty weighs heavy on crypto
Investors remain cautious as U.S. debt talks continue despite slowing inflation and large NFT purchases.
Is Tether unmoored — or just dandy?
Top blockchain and crypto news: Fighting words over USDT erupt on Twitter. Litecoin surges amid memecoin fever. Chinese city bids for blockchain business.
UK lawmakers propose cryptocurrency regulation as gambling
In a new report, U.K. lawmakers suggest treating Bitcoin and Ether like gambling due to significant consumer financial risks.
China’s top prosecuting body issues warnings, guidance about country’s NFT market
China’s top legal authority issued a commentary on Monday about the risks and potential in NFTs, highlighting the need for legislation.
EU’s MiCA gets unanimous nod from European Council
European Union finance ministers unanimously approved MiCA, a set of cryptocurrency rules aiming to reshape the digital asset industry across the EU bloc.
SEC in no rush to respond to Coinbase calls for regulatory clarity
As part of the ongoing legal dispute between the two, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said it would not be hurried into a response to Coinbase demands.
How DeFi can keep out bad apples while upholding crypto’s core ideals
Crypto users need not fear the increasing KYC/AML requirements around the world and loss of privacy, writes Kurt Hemecker of the Mina Foundation. Here’s why.
Head of U.S. DOJ crypto enforcement eyes crackdown on non-compliant crypto exchanges: FT
The U.S. Department of Justice is aiming to crack down on cryptocurrency exchanges that help criminals facilitate money laundering
Bank of Korea and financial regulator in turf war over who supervises crypto industry
Bank of Korea, the central bank, seems uncomfortable with the Financial Services Commission, the country’s regulator, having the mandate over the cryptocurrency industry. The bank is pushing for more say, arguing crypto can influence the stability of the overall financial market and that involves the central bank.
China’s Fuzhou City offers cash, subsidies to attract blockchain companies, investment
China’s Fuzhou City on Friday unveiled a raft of policies to attract investment by blockchain-related companies, including rent subsidies and cash awards.