December 2022
Sam Bankman-Fried misses deadline to respond to Senate Committee hearing
Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the now-bankrupt FTX exchange, has missed the deadline set by the U.S. Senate Committee to confirm his appearance at an upcoming hearing.
U.S. considering bill to require crypto miners to report carbon emissions
U.S. cryptocurrency miners would be required to report greenhouse gas emissions under a new bill submitted to the Senate, reflecting criticism the industry is adding to use of fossil fuels blamed for global warming.
Bankman-Fried may face subpoenas if he does not testify
The embattled founder of failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX may be subpoenaed if he declines to testify at the two hearings on the platform’s meltdown in Washington DC next week.
Demanding data privacy is a feminist fight: Opinion
Personal information privacy matters more than ever in a post-Roe world, writes Kayla Kroot of Koii Network. Can data from menstrual cycle tracking apps be used to prosecute women and girls for abortions?
AAX’s future in doubt amid staff exodus and FTX contagion
Top blockchain and crypto news: AAX teeters on the brink. SBF hints at Congressional hearing no-show. Chinese court boosts NFT legitimacy.
DeFi regulation: it’s not a matter of if, but when
The push to regulate DeFi is stronger than ever, and the sector would be wise not to fight but participate in that inevitability, writes Michael Shing of XREX.
Innovation vs Regulation
Innovation and regulation are mutually exclusive in the world of crypto – and in the aftermath of the FTX collapse, getting the balance right is key.
Will the next wave of FTX victims be unwitting tax cheats?
When a crypto exchange fails, will your transaction records vanish, too? Here’s why investors should take responsibility over their own trading data.
Sam Bankman-Fried points blame for FTX collapse to Alameda, says he was blindsided
Bankman-Fried beamed into New York from the Bahamas to give his version of what happened at FTX, mentioning his own failure of oversight and being “frankly surprised” by what was going on at his company’s sister brokerage.
It’s time for more institutions to adopt blockchain and crypto: Opinion
Despite the myriad benefits of blockchain and cryptocurrency, institutional interest remains mixed in Asia Pacific. What lessons should the industry learn from 2022 to overcome the barriers to adoption?
November 2022
ECB’s Christine Lagarde: Further crypto regulation ‘absolute necessity’ following FTX collapse
Christine Lagarde of the European Central Bank said regulating cryptocurrency in the EU is an “absolute necessity” following the collapse of Bahamas-based exchange FTX.com.
Sam Bankman-Fried could face decades in jail if convicted of law violations in FTX collapse, lawyers say
The former CEO of the collapsed crypto exchange “needs to keep his mouth shut” and stop making public comments that could be used against him in future court cases, lawyers tell Forkast.
Russia plans launch of national crypto exchange
Russian lawmakers aim to launch a national cryptocurrency exchange, supported by the country’s Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Russia.
Hex Trust bags virtual asset license from Dubai
Digital asset custodian Hex Trust received the MVP license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority on Nov. 24.
The crash and burn of FTX: What lessons does it teach us?
As FTX victims and creditors sift through the pieces, how much of this blowup should regulators have seen coming — and could it happen again?
New York Attorney General eyes ban of crypto purchases through retirement funds
New York Attorney General (NYAG) Letitia James has recommended prohibiting crypto investments in defined contribution plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).
S.Korea’s top regulator says digital assets, virtual assets are different
While the crypto industry grapples with the definition of blockchain-based digital tokens, South Korea wants to nail down the terminology.
China’s foreign exchange bureau urges stronger legislation to regulate crypto trade
China should integrate legislation on cryptocurrencies in order to better regulate crypto tradings, said Huang Hui, a deputy director of the Supervision and Inspection Department of State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
Why digital assets need better infrastructure and risk management
Investor confidence may be shaken, but crypto is here to stay, writes Alex Manson of Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures. Here’s how to restore trust and make the sector more resilient.
S. Korea mulls requirement for digital asset exchanges to compensate sudden withdrawal suspension
South Korea’s FSC is considering a requirement that crypto exchanges offset investor losses for the sudden suspension of withdrawal services.
FTX failed because of humans, not crypto
Human greed and deception led to FTX’s fall. That’s why the antidote is not more regulations but could be found in blockchain’s original promises, writes Marieke Flament, CEO of NEAR Foundation.
SEC gets support from New Sports Economy Institute in XRP lawsuit against Ripple
The U.S. SEC has received support from sports investing group New Sports Economy Institute, which submitted its amicus brief on Friday to weigh in on the ongoing lawsuit between the SEC and Ripple.
FTX owes US$3.1 billion to top 50 unnamed creditors, court filing shows
Collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX Trading Ltd. and its affiliates owe their 50 largest creditors about US$3.1 billion, according to a court filing. The creditors were not named.
FTX requests Chapter 15 bankruptcy case moved to Delaware, hearing on Tuesday
FTX Trading will be at a hearing on Nov. 22 in a bankruptcy court in Delaware, as the troubled exchange seeks to transfer a related case from New York to the Delaware court, according to a court filing.
Australia to revamp cryptocurrency rules after FTX collapse
The country is one of the first to say it will act to set up regulations to prevent a collapse similar to FTX, which filed for bankruptcy protection and froze the assets of hundreds of thousands of investors.
Ripple gets support from Blockchain Association in XRP lawsuit against SEC
U.S. lobby group Blockchain Association, along with other institutions and firms, have formally filed amici briefs to support Ripple Labs Inc. in the ongoing lawsuit between the U.S. SEC and Ripple.
How Hong Kong and Singapore can make Asia the center of crypto’s future
Yes, there is rivalry between the two global finance hubs. But their strengths are also complementary for Asia to become an even bigger crypto powerhouse, writes Lily Z. King.
FTX collapse leaves investors jittery over crypto contagion
Top blockchain and crypto news: FTX fallout spooks sector. Crypto.com’s $400 million ‘accident.’ Hong Kong’s new digital asset drive.
Coinbase officially enters the fray in XRP lawsuit to support Ripple against SEC
U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has officially submitted its amicus brief to support Ripple in the lawsuit the U.S. SEC filed in 2020 against Ripple.
Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary says FTX debacle will never happen again
O’Leary remains committed to crypto even after losing his investment in FTX.com, but said that the industry will become more regulated.
FTX is crypto’s Lehman Bros. moment. What happens now?
Unlike the 2008 crash, the government won’t be bailing out FTX’s investors, writes Nick Saponaro of Divi Labs. Will regulators see this as a cue to crack down on exchanges?
Binance says it will set up crypto recovery fund, industry standards group
Changpeng Zhao, founder and chief executive of Binance, tells the B20 Summit in Indonesia that the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange aims to help improve business and operation standards in the crypto industry.
Binance chief says FTX bailout deal ‘didn’t make sense’
Changpeng Zhao, founder of the world’s largest crypto exchange, said its earlier pledge to acquire FTX fell through partially due to regulatory concerns.
FTX Japan ordered to suspend operations by the country’s regulators
FTX Japan was ordered by the country’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) to suspend operations until Dec. 9 and put together a “business improvement plan.”
US regulators DoJ, SEC, CFTC probe crypto platform FTX
US regulators the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are probing beleaguered crypto exchange FTX.
The fall of FTX “not good for anyone,” CZ says
The sudden downfall of top cryptocurrency exchange FTX will bring in more regulatory scrutiny and raise the difficulty of obtaining licenses around the world, Binance founder and chief executive Changpeng Zhao said in an internal note, which he shared with the public via Twitter on Wednesday.
Binance set to swallow FTX as run on exchange allows CZ to swoop
Top blockchain and crypto news: FTX concedes defeat in long battle with Binance. Crypto eyes Congress races. Hong Kong U-turns on digital assets.
U.S. midterms: gridlock… and progress on crypto industry regulation?
In a period of toxic divide between the Democrats and Republicans, the need to figure out how to regulate the growing cryptocurrency industry is one of the few issues both parties seem to agree on.
Japan’s Web 3.0 lawmaker urges further easing of country’s crypto regulation
Japan needs to further relax rules for its crypto industry, said lawmaker of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party Masaaki Taira.
SEC gets more time to file reply briefs in XRP lawsuit against Ripple
The U.S. SEC has received approval from the court to extend the time for all parties to submit reply briefs, in the ongoing lawsuit the SEC filed in 2020 against Ripple.
Hong Kong needs engineering talent to reclaim role as digital asset hub
Hong Kong’s latest FinTech policies indicate it wants to reclaim its position as a hub for cryptocurrencies and digital assets, but that means finding the right people for the job.
Curiosity ‘always’ fuels innovation, says blockchain co-creator Stuart Haber
U.S. computer scientist Stuart Haber, recognized with Scott Stornetta as the co-inventor of blockchain, says he is excited to see the evolution of the technology, not only in the financial sector, but also in entertainment, business, and technology industries.
Digital wallet Cryptillian seeks to back Ripple against SEC in XRP lawsuit
Digital wallet service provider Cryptillian Payment Systems has requested to file an amicus brief to support Ripple Labs Inc. in the latter’s ongoing court battle against the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC).
Can blockchain tech in green finance attract more investors and deter bad actors?
As governments look towards zero carbon emission goals, new means of creating climate-related financial products are being tested on the blockchain.
S.Korea sees passing crypto investor protection as a priority: report
The country looks to pass an initial bill that focuses on protecting digital asset investors and preventing unfair trade acts, ahead of wider legislation.
Bankman-Fried calls wealth-based barriers to crypto investment classist, racist
The billionaire founder of crypto exchange FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, criticized regulations in Hong Kong and elsewhere that limit access to crypto investment to wealthy investors.
October 2022
Hong Kong announces policies to win back role as digital asset hub
Hong Kong reveals digital asset policies to distinguish itself from China, where cryptocurrency trading was banned in September last year.
Hong Kong mulls plans to legalize retail crypto trading: Bloomberg
Hong Kong is mulling plans to legalize retail crypto trading to regain its status as a global digital asset hub.
FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried says action needed on global rules for cryptocurrencies
Bankman-Fried says the global crypto industry needs a “passporting” policy framework that lowers barriers for crypto businesses.
SEC takes no position on two motions in support of Ripple in XRP lawsuit
The SEC is not taking a position on two motions, submitted by non-profit organization Investor Choice Advocates Network and crypto wallet provider SpendTheBits, which seek to weigh in on the lawsuit between the SEC and Ripple.
How Europe’s MiCA can pave the way for crypto’s revival
Europe’s new MiCA framework for regulating crypto shows the good that can happen when government works with and not against the industry, writes Nick Saponaro of Divi Labs.
Singapore floats tests for retail crypto traders, plans to regulate stablecoins
The central bank is also considering options such as banning crypto firms from offering credit facilities, leverage or staking services to retail traders.
US alleges Chinese spies used Bitcoin to bribe law enforcement officer
Two Chinese intelligence officers allegedly paid a double agent to help steal files related to a federal investigation into a China-based global telecom firm, reported to be Huawei.
UK lawmakers vote to regulate digital assets as financial instruments
Lawmakers in the British Parliament’s lower house voted in favor of recognizing cryptocurrency assets as regulated financial instruments and products Tuesday.
As US midterms approach, poll says voters want policy interests to align with crypto, technology
Survey reveals popularity of crypto ownership among voters, their hopes for the industry’s growing potential and the need for regulation to protect consumers.
Top “UK Crypto Hub” proponent Rishi Sunak to become prime minister
Rishi Sunak, who previously spearheaded the UK’s crypto hub ambitions as finance minister, has been elected by the Conservative Party on Monday following Liz Truss’ resignation last week.
Scammers Paradise?
Crypto crimes are costing Hong Kong billions every year – but what’s being done about it and what can the rest of the world learn from it?
SEC asks court to deny Ripple motion for summary judgment in XRP lawsuit
The U.S. SEC has filed a legal rebuttal to Ripple’s motion for summary judgment, a day after Ripple took a similar move against the SEC.
Crypto becomes approved financial product in South Africa
South Africa’s financial markets regulator has declared crypto assets as a financial product, setting the legal grounds to bring cryptocurrencies under regulatory purview. See related article: Nigeria to become 1st African country to launch a central bank digital currency Fast facts Crypto is not issued by a central bank but can be traded, transferred and […]
Japan eases token vetting process to expand crypto offerings: report
Japan’s Virtual and Crypto assets Exchange Association (JVCEA), the self-regulatory body that oversees local crypto exchanges, will allow platforms to list cryptocurrencies without an existing lengthy screening process, according to Bloomberg. See related article: Japan pushes for tougher crypto AML regulations amid N. Korean cyberattacks Fast facts The easing is expected to take place as […]
Coinbase mulls lawsuit against users who made millions from pricing error
“No finders keepers’ law”: Coinbase considers legal action against some 1,000 users in east Europe’s Georgia who took advantage of a pricing glitch on the platform.
One country, two systems? Hong Kong seems set to diverge from China on digital assets
Hong Kong seems set to put out a new welcome mat for the blockchain and crypto industries, but will it work after concern about regulatory restrictions convinced many cryptocurrency operators to leave?
Japan pushes for tougher crypto AML regulations amid N. Korean cyberattacks
The Japanese government approved amendments to existing financial regulations to prevent money laundering utilizing cryptocurrencies and increase penalties on those involved, according to local media reports. See related article: North Korea’s Lazarus Group attacks Japanese crypto firms, police say Fast facts The Cabinet, Japan’s executive body, approved the revisions to laws associated with the country’s […]
India’s headache, or opportunity?
India’s crypto sector has been having a tough time – we’re taking a look on what has been happening lately.
India wants global, tech-driven regulatory framework for crypto
As India prepares to begin its one-year presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) beginning Dec. 1, it will look to work toward a global, tech-driven regulatory framework for cryptocurrency, India’s finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. See related article: India’s finance minister calls on G20 to share information on crypto Fast facts “During our engagements, […]
US Regulation Delays
There’s a power struggle over who regulates crypto in the US – and it could all depend on how the midterm elections go this year.
Coin Center files lawsuit over Tornado Cash sanctions, defends crypto privacy rights
Coin Center, a non-profit think tank on cryptocurrencies and public policy, announced Wednesday it was filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), alleging the agency overreached its authority when it sanctioned cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash in August. See related article: What is the future for cryptocurrency mixers after […]
Fed’s top bank watchdog eyes new regulation for banks doing crypto
Crypto-asset related activities may pose “novel risks” to banks and their customers, prompting the U.S. Federal Reserve to develop further regulations, Fed vice chair for supervision Michael Barr said in a speech Wednesday at D.C. Fintech Week. See related article: U.S. Fed has growing interest in CBDCs, says Jeng at Crypto Council for Innovation Fast […]
What is the future for cryptocurrency mixers after U.S. sanctions on Tornado Cash?
Tornado Cash, the Ethereum coin mixer slapped with sanctions by the U.S. Treasury back in August, has returned to the software hosting website GitHub amid a flurry of lawsuits against the Treasury for its action.
European Parliament agrees on preliminary crypto regulation
The European Parliament passed a preliminary legal framework for the crypto space on Monday that aims to increase standards and requirements for digital asset companies, ahead of a final vote expected soon. See related article: Europe cancels AML amendment that would have forced identity verification for non-custodial wallets: report Fast facts EU lawmakers voted heavily […]
Want the next-generation internet? Start legislating for it
Web3 communities need to join forces with policymakers to draft rules for the next iteration of the online world, says Haun Ventures’ Tomicah Tillemann
Binance gets nod to operate in Kazakhstan
Binance has obtained a “permanent license” to operate a digital asset platform and provide custody services at Kazakhstan’s Astana International Financial Center, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange announced in a blog post on Thursday. See related article: Binance targets expansion in Philippines, Turkey, executive says Fast facts The license gives Binance the status of a […]