Finance
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
DeFi stands for decentralized finance, which owns the blockchain advantages, thus removes trusted third parties and more. DeFi will have profound impact to traditional financial industries.
HK FinTech Week: What’s Next for Blockchain in Finance?
HK FinTech Week: What’s Next for Blockchain in Finance?
Ways DeFi is Changing Finance and its Stand in 2020
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is the bridge between traditional centralized currency and decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum. Here's how it's changing finance.
Finality: A Necessary Condition for Blockchain Applications in Finance
Settlement finality is critical in the world of traditional finance. The same applies to decentralized finance built on distributed ledger technologies (DLT).
Coinbase Going Public Might Not Benefit Cryptocurrency Market After All
Coinbase has allegedly started moving towards a stock market listing that could reportedly occur as early as this year—but would that necessarily enhance exposure for mainstream investors to the crypto market?
What Is a Bitcoin ETF?
Bitcoin ETF is a type of security that tracks the overall price of Bitcoin and enables investors to trade and purchase shares of it on traditional exchanges.
MasterCard Asia Files Device Billing System Patent Compatible With Iota’s Tangle Network
MasterCard patents blockchain system to help shared device merchants avoid credit card fees.
Argentina Believes in Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency as Most Effective Hedge Against Inflation, Paxful Survey
Over 70% of Argentines see cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin as the most effective way to hedge against inflation and store financial value
Twitter CEO Endorses Bitcoin For Black America
According to his tweet on February 23rd, while promoting the book discussing Bitcoin’s huge potential benefits to the African-American community, Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter who is no stranger to controversies in the media, used the fanbase of his Twitter platform for this cause.
Property or Not? Bitcoin Thieves Released Because “Bitcoin is Not Property”
A Russian Court recently ruled a Bitcoin theft case as innocent, stating that Bitcoin was not considered a property. The victim sought restitution, after being robbed of 100 Bitcoins.
DeFi Hack Linked to North Korea
The $197 million DeFi hack on Euler Finance has been linked to North Korea after blockchain investigator Chainalysis identified that 100 ETH from the stolen funds was transferred to an address associated with North Korea-linked actors. While Chainalysis suspected the involvement of North Korea, it highlighted the possibility of misdirection by other hackers. Euler Labs CEO expressed disappointment in the hack, revealing that ten separate audits over two years assured its security.
Will Bitcoin Skyrocket or Plunge? Young Traders Have Wrecked US Stock Market, Says Fund Manager
The president of Smead Capital Management addressed the topic of current trends of the US stock market in an interview with CNBC.
China’s Central Bank to Develop Blockchain-Based Trade Finance Platform for the Greater Bay Area
China’s Central Bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) announced its development plans for outlining a blockchain-based trade finance platform for the Greater Bay Area that links Hong Kong, Guangdong, and Macao. Governing entities in China, including the PBoC, China Banking Regulatory Commission, China Securities Regulatory Commission, and the Foreign Exchange Bureau came together to issue the official document for the proposal. The entities submitted their suggestions on financing the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, focusing on global trade and finance.
Visa Establishes Advisory Services, Helping Clients Maneuver their Crypto Journey
As part of efforts to expand the knowledge base of its clients and partners in their cryptocurrency journey, payment giant Visa has introduced a global crypto advisory practice as part of the consulting & analytics department.
G20 Discusses Crypto Regulations Under India Presidency
G20 members reviewed technological advancements and dangers during the FMCBG conference on Feb. 24–25.
DeFi Broker Porter Finance Shuts Down Bond Issuance Platform
Porter Finance said low lending demand from the DeFi ecosystem has forced it to close its bond trading platform, and mentioned that it now wants to focus on other business opportunities.
SWIFT Takes Another Shot at Cryptos, Refers to Them as "Useless and Unsteady"
The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) has dropped another hammer on proponents of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, referring to Cryptos as “useless and unstable.”
Sale of Asian Exchange Data Could Create Revenue Stream of $4.23 Billion Per Year Says Leading Strategy Consultants
Quinlan & Associates, a leading independent strategy consultancy released a report exploring how Asian exchanges can monetize the large volumes of exchange data.
Uniswap V3 Protocol License Expires, Allowing Developers to Fork Code
Uniswap V3 protocol’s Business Source License (BSL) has expired, allowing developers to fork the code and deploy their own decentralized exchange (DEX). The new “General Public License” now applies to the protocol. To fork the code, developers must use an “Additional Use Grant.”
Curve Finance CEO Michael Egorov and Spouse Acquire Two Melbourne Mansions, Amassing an Impressive 5663 Square Metre Estate
In an unprecedented move showcasing a hefty investment in Australia's property market, Curve Finance(CRV) CEO Michael Egorov and his wife Anna have made a grand purchase in the heart of Melbourne,
Future of Index Funds
Inspired by traditional index funds' success, Crypto20 (C20) was designed to reinvent how investors gain exposure to the broader crypto market. With cryptocurrencies long-term growth potential, an index fund is the perfect entry point for investors looking to generate exceptional returns without taking on excessive risk.
Has the DeFi Bubble Burst? Top DeFi Tokens Crash by 50%
The decentralized finance (DeFi) industry appears to be crashing, with DeFi tokens plummeting and dropping by 50% and more over the past seven days.
Ethereum’s Sentiment on Twitter Becomes Extremely Positive as DeFi’s Value Tops $80B
The Ethereum (ETH) network has been experiencing an uptick in activities and this made crowd sentiment on Twitter extremely positive, as disclosed by Data analytic firm IntoTheBlock.
Blockchain-Focused Fund COSIMO X Acquires Seven-Figure Funding from RIT
COSIMO Ventures, an investment firm situated in Boston and Dublin, recently announced that the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has endorsed them with a seven-figure investment.
U.S. Homeowners Express Rising Financial Anxieties, According to FAR Survey
Finance of America Reverse LLC released its 2023 Home Equity Punch List, revealing that 79% of homeowners remain uneasy about the U.S. economy, with concerns about unforeseen healthcare expenses and discretionary spending. Gender differences were also noted. Home equity loans were only sought slightly more, with a lack of product knowledge contributing to financial anxiety.
What Is Balancer?
Released in March 2020, Balancer is an Ethereum-based automated market maker (AMM) that enables users to earn fees by providing liquidity and trading.
Europe Embraces Instant Payments: Ripple Insights
Europe is experiencing an accelerated shift towards instant payments, with entities like the EC striving to build a resilient financial infrastructure.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority to Issue Renminbi Sovereign Bonds
HKMA announces issuance of Renminbi Sovereign Bonds through its Central Moneymarkets Unit.
NVIDIA Grace Hopper Superchip Boosts Murex MX.3 Performance, Enhances Energy Efficiency
NVIDIA's Grace Hopper Superchip improves Murex MX.3 analytics and reduces power usage.
HKMA Reports Decrease in Composite Interest Rate for May 2024
Hong Kong Monetary Authority announces a 4 basis point decrease in the composite interest rate for May 2024, reflecting lower weighted funding costs.
Fireblocks Partners with TRES Finance to Enhance Web3 Financial Reporting
Fireblocks collaborates with TRES Finance to streamline Web3 accounting and financial reporting, offering automated solutions to meet regulatory demands.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Releases Reports on DeFi and Metaverse in Finance
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has published reports on DeFi and the metaverse, analyzing their impact and regulatory landscape in the financial services industry.
Hong Kong Mortgage Applications Drop 16.1% in May 2024, HKMA Reports
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority reported a 16.1% decrease in mortgage applications for May 2024, while mortgage loans approved increased by 8.8%.
Robinhood (HOOD) to Release Q2 2024 Earnings on August 7
Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOD) will announce its Q2 2024 financial results on August 7, 2024, with an earnings call scheduled for the same day.
Exploring the Digital Revolution: How Cryptocurrency is Transforming Finance
Learn about cryptocurrency, its impact on finance, and future trends in digital currency. Discover key cryptocurrencies and their roles.
Exploring the Future of Asset Tokenization: Opportunities and Challenges
Asset tokenization is set to revolutionize the financial sector with an estimated value of $16 trillion by 2030. Discover the key insights and challenges.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Announces Results of RMB Sovereign Bond Tenders
Hong Kong Monetary Authority released the results of the RMB Sovereign Bond tenders held on July 10, 2024, highlighting significant details of the issuance.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Reports Slight Increase in Composite Interest Rate for June 2024
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced a minor rise in the composite interest rate to 2.62% at the end of June 2024, reflecting higher deposit costs.
Binance Expands Offerings with Gravity (G) on Multiple Platforms
Binance has announced the inclusion of Gravity (G) across several services, including Binance Earn, Buy Crypto, Convert, and Margin, starting July 19, 2024.
SFC and IA Collaborate to Address Cross-Sector Irregularities
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Insurance Authority (IA) have joined forces to tackle cross-sector irregularities, enhancing regulatory oversight.
Eddie Yue Reappointed as Chief Executive of Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Eddie Yue has been reappointed as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority for another five-year term, beginning in October 2024.
Ex-Banker Ordered to Disgorge $3 Million in Illegal Insider Trading Profits
A former banker has been ordered to return $3 million in illegal gains from insider trading, according to the Securities and Futures Commission.
Pantera Capital Explores Democratizing Negotiation in Latest Article
Pantera Capital discusses the impact of democratizing negotiation within the financial sector, emphasizing the role of technology and innovation in their latest article.
HKMA Warns Public About Fraudulent Website and Social Media Page Impersonating Public Finance Limited
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority alerts the public to a fraudulent website and social media page impersonating Public Finance Limited.
Hong Kong Mortgage Applications Drop by 17.2% in June 2024, HKMA Reports
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) reports a 17.2% decline in mortgage applications for June 2024, with significant decreases in loan approvals.
Core Member of Ramp-and-Dump Syndicate Arrested in Hong Kong
Hong Kong authorities have arrested a key member of a notorious ramp-and-dump syndicate, as reported by the SFC.
HKMA Releases Tentative Schedule for Exchange Fund Bills and Notes for Q4 2024
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has issued a tentative schedule for Exchange Fund Bills and Notes for the fourth quarter of 2024.
NVIDIA NIM Utilized for Advanced Financial Market Scenario Generation
NVIDIA NIM leverages generative AI for advanced financial market scenario generation, aiding risk management and investment decision-making.
SFC Lifts Suspension on Changjiang Corporate Finance (HK) Limited as Sponsor
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has lifted the suspension of Changjiang Corporate Finance (HK) Limited's role as a sponsor.
Taiko and Stargate Finance Collaborate for DeFi Season Finale
Taiko, in collaboration with Stargate Finance and other DeFi protocols, launches a special Trail to conclude Season 1 of Trailblazer, starting August 19, 2024.
HKMA and DFSA to Co-Host Climate Conference on Sustainable Finance
The HKMA and DFSA will co-host a Climate Finance Conference in September 2024, fostering sustainable finance cooperation between Asia and the Middle East.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Announces Tender of 2-Year Exchange Fund Notes
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) will hold a tender for 2-year Exchange Fund Notes on 21 August 2024, with a settlement date on 22 August 2024.
Circle Proposes New Capital-Risk Framework for Stablecoins
Circle's top financial leaders introduce a risk-based capital framework tailored for stablecoins, addressing unique risks and operational challenges.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Announces Decrease in Composite Interest Rate for July 2024
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority reports a decrease in the composite interest rate to 2.58% at the end of July 2024.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Announces Tender Results for PBOC RMB Bills
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced the results of the tenders for the People's Bank of China (PBOC) RMB Bills held on 21 August 2024.
HKMA Reports July 2024 Residential Mortgage Survey Results
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) reports a 0.7% increase in mortgage applications for July 2024, along with significant trends in mortgage loans and delinquency ratios.
Robinhood Markets (HOOD) to Present at Goldman Sachs Conference
Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) announced its participation in the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference on September 10, 2024.
HKMA and DFSA Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Sustainable Finance
HKMA and DFSA held a joint conference to strengthen their collaboration on sustainable finance, emphasizing the importance of transition finance and net-zero goals.
PBOC to Issue Renminbi Bills via Hong Kong Monetary Authority's Central Moneymarkets Unit
The People's Bank of China is set to issue Renminbi Bills through the Central Moneymarkets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
Splice Finance: A New Yield Trading Hub on Linea
Splice Finance introduces a yield trading hub on Linea, allowing users to earn fixed or variable yields by splitting yield-bearing tokens.
Hong Kong Treasury Markets Summit 2024 Highlights Key Financial Innovations
The Treasury Markets Summit 2024, hosted by HKMA and TMA, focused on offshore renminbi business, DeFi, Metaverse, and CBDCs.
Tether (USDT) Marks a Decade of Stablecoin Leadership with 350 Million Users
Tether celebrates 10 years of innovation, solidifying its role as the leading stablecoin with 350 million users worldwide. Discover Tether's impact on global finance and its future vision.
Linea and Aryze Collaborate to Innovate Digital Asset Solutions
Linea teams up with Aryze to enhance digital finance by integrating tokenized Real-World Assets and customized stablecoin services into the Linea blockchain ecosystem.
Robinhood Schedules Inaugural Investor Day for December 2024
Robinhood plans its first Investor Day on December 4, 2024, in New York City, aiming to share its future vision and engage with investors.
BitMEX to Launch PUFFERUSDT Perpetual Swap with 50x Leverage
BitMEX is set to introduce PUFFERUSDT perpetual swaps, offering up to 50x leverage, enhancing trading options for Puffer Finance enthusiasts.
HKMA Announces Results of 3-Year HKD Government Bond Tender
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority revealed the results of its 3-year HKD government bond tender, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 3.89 and an annualized yield of 2.952%.
Hong Kong and Brazil Collaborate on Cross-Border Tokenization Initiatives
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Banco Central do Brasil are collaborating on cross-border tokenization projects, focusing on CBDC infrastructures and financial market innovation.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Grants Banking Licences to GIL and KGIB
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has granted banking licences to Guanyin International Limited and KGI Bank Co., Ltd., increasing the total number of licensed banks in Hong Kong to 151.
Bitfinex Celebrates 12 Years of Innovating in Bitcoin and Digital Finance
Bitfinex marks its 12th anniversary, highlighting its role in advancing Bitcoin technology and digital finance, with a focus on innovations like Lightning Network support and tokenized securities.
Exploring the Potential of Info Finance Beyond Prediction Markets
Discover the transformative potential of info finance, from prediction markets to decentralized governance, as it reshapes fields like social media, science, and public goods funding.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Announces Tender for 2-Year Exchange Fund Notes
The HKMA will conduct a tender for 2-year Exchange Fund Notes on November 22, 2024, offering HK$1,200 million worth of notes with a 3.19% interest rate.
Hong Kong Mortgage Market Faces Decline in September 2024
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority reports a significant decline in mortgage applications and loans in September 2024, with a notable drop in financing for both primary and secondary market transactions.
HKMA and BIS Conclude International Financial Conference on Emerging Technologies
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and BIS co-host an international conference focusing on emerging technologies in finance, attracting key stakeholders globally.
Hong Kong Academy of Finance Opens Applications for 2025 Financial Leaders Programme
The Hong Kong Academy of Finance has announced that the 2025 intake for its Financial Leaders Programme is now open, offering a nine-month transformative experience for emerging financial talents.
HKMA Partners with Global Institutions for Climate Investment in Asia
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) collaborates with multilateral organizations to enhance climate investment strategies in Asia, aiming for sustainable growth and reduced emissions.
Hong Kong Credit Card Receivables Slightly Decline in Q3 2024
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority reports a 0.6% decrease in credit card receivables for Q3 2024, with the delinquent and rescheduled ratio rising to 0.40%.
Hong Kong's Investment Summit Concludes with Global Insights
The Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit in Hong Kong, organized by HKMA, SFC, and AoF, concluded with valuable insights from over 20 global investors on investment strategies and market trends.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Announces Results of 5-Year Government Bond Tender
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority reported strong demand for its 5-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 3.24 and an annualized yield of 3.179%.
HKMA Reports Strong Demand in 15-Year Institutional Government Bond Tender
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced successful tender results for 15-year HKD institutional government bonds, highlighting a high bid-to-cover ratio and competitive yield.
Hong Kong and Switzerland Strengthen Financial Ties in Seventh Dialogue
The Hong Kong-Switzerland Financial Dialogue focused on enhancing collaboration in financial services, addressing global financial challenges, and exploring opportunities in sustainable finance and Fintech.
Uniswap (UNI) and Fireblocks Team Up to Enhance Institutional DeFi Access
Uniswap (UNI) Labs partners with Fireblocks to enable financial firms to tap into DeFi through Uniswap's Trading API, offering deep liquidity and competitive pricing.
MARA Holdings Secures $850 Million Through Zero-Coupon Convertible Notes
MARA Holdings, Inc. has finalized an $850 million offering of zero-coupon convertible senior notes due 2031, aimed primarily at acquiring bitcoin and repurchasing existing notes.
HKMA Announces Results of 5-Year RMB Government Bonds Tender
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced successful tender results for 5-year RMB HKSAR Government Bonds, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 3.03 and an annualized yield of 2.255%.
Riot Platforms (RIOT) Launches $525 Million Convertible Notes Offering
Riot Platforms announces a $525 million offering of 0.75% convertible senior notes due 2030, aimed at bolstering Bitcoin acquisitions and general corporate purposes.
Corporate Giants Explore Bitcoin (BTC) Treasuries Amid Global Economic Shifts
Major corporations like Tesla and MicroStrategy are adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset, leveraging its deflationary properties as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
Corporate Adoption of Bitcoin (BTC) Treasuries Gains Momentum
Explore why companies are increasingly adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset, highlighting examples like MicroStrategy and Tesla, and discussing the implications of this trend on global finance.
Hong Kong's Mortgage Market Sees Uptick in November 2024
Hong Kong Monetary Authority reports a 9.7% increase in mortgage applications for November 2024, with loans approved reaching HK$24.2 billion.
Injective (INJ)Summit Highlights: A Glimpse into the Future of Finance
The Injective (INJ)Summit in Bangkok attracted nearly 1,000 attendees and featured over 30 industry leaders, showcasing pivotal innovations in finance.
BounceBit's Vision: Merging Traditional Finance with CeDeFi Innovation
BounceBit is pioneering a new financial paradigm by integrating Real-World Assets into CeDeFi, aiming to create a dual-yield ecosystem that merges traditional and crypto finance.
BounceBit Enhances RWA Offerings Through Strategic Partnership with DigiFT
BounceBit partners with DigiFT, a regulated exchange, to integrate tokenized real-world assets, enhancing institutional-grade yields and expanding its CeDeFi ecosystem.
Global Corporations Eye Bitcoin (BTC) for Asset Reserves Amid Inflation Concerns
Major corporations are increasingly considering Bitcoin as a reserve asset to hedge against inflation and economic instability, following the lead of pioneers like MicroStrategy.
Paxos Enhances European Presence with Membrane Finance Acquisition
Paxos has completed the acquisition of Membrane Finance, a Finnish Electronic Money Institution, enhancing its regulated platform and expanding its services in Europe.
DeFi Emerges as a Vital Alternative Amid Debanking Concerns
Decentralized finance (DeFi) provides a crucial safety net for individuals facing sudden debanking scenarios, highlighting the vulnerabilities in traditional financial systems.
Potential Benefits of a Clear Crypto Tax Policy for the U.S.
The U.S. has a historic opportunity to craft effective crypto tax policies, which could enhance innovation and economic growth while addressing regulatory challenges.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority to Conduct Tender for 2-Year Exchange Fund Notes in February 2025
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announces a tender for 2-year Exchange Fund Notes on February 21, 2025, offering HK$1,200 million with an interest rate of 3.34% per annum.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Announces Upcoming Tender for Exchange Fund Bills
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority will hold a tender for Exchange Fund Bills on February 21, 2025, offering HK$600 million with a 23-day maturity period.
OKX Ventures Invests in Cygnus Finance to Advance Web3 Innovations
OKX Ventures has announced its investment in Cygnus Finance, a platform aimed at enhancing Web3 through modular real yield layers and innovative creator economy solutions.
Hong Kong Mortgage Market Sees Uptick in Applications for January 2025
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority reports a 3.3% increase in mortgage applications for January 2025, while approved loans decrease by 2.1% to HK$25 billion.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Reveals Results of 20-Year Government Bond Tender
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced the results of a tender for 20-year HKD institutional government bonds, revealing a bid-to-cover ratio of 4.50 and an annualized yield of 3.851%.
Sei's Role in the Evolving Landscape of Blockchain and Traditional Finance
Sei's infrastructure gains prominence as regulatory clarity in the US enables traditional financial institutions to embrace blockchain, enhancing compliance and innovative financial products.
Hong Kong Prepares for Tender of RMB 1.5 Billion Government Bonds
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announces a tender for RMB 1.5 billion in 2-year government bonds, scheduled for May 13, 2025, as part of the Infrastructure Bond Programme.
Alibaba Founder Jack Ma Criticizes Current Financial Regulations
Alibaba founder Jack Ma highlights the importance of fintech innovations over regulations.
Yearn.Finance Founder Andre Cronje Gets Sued Over Eminence Project Hack Amid Receiving Death Threats
Andre Cronje has also recently been sued over his unfinished Eminence Finance (EMN) project, which has been hacked.
Binance CEO CZ and Crypto Execs Say Traditional Finance Not Yet Ready to Embrace Digital Currencies
Binance CEO Changepeng Zhao (CZ) and two major crypto executives believe traditional financial institutions have a long way to go before they embrace digital currencies.
Euler Finance hacker returns $5.4M
The hacker who drained $197 million from Euler Finance in the biggest DeFi hack of 2023 so far reportedly returned around $5.4 million in Ether to the company. The funds were sent in three transactions from the hacker's address to Euler Finance's deployer address, but it remains to be seen if the hacker will return the rest of the stolen funds.
DeFi Trails Broader Market Uptrend to Hit New TVL at $223 Billion
The Total Value Locked (TVL) in DeFi protocols have crossed the biggest range in history as it is trading at its highest value of $223 billion.
IBM Joins Trade Finance Blockchain Platform We.Trade As New Shareholder
IBM has announced a new collaboration with blockchain-based trade finance platform, we.trade to enhance network capabilities and accelerate the global growth of the platform. We.trade was designed to connect buyers, sellers, banks, insurers, and other organizations in a network, simplifying cross-border trading. Built on the latest version of the IBM Blockchain Platform, IBM has been the platform’s technology partner since the beginning. We.trade was also the first enterprise blockchain consortium to go live, back in early 2018.
Maple Finance Loans $300m to help Struggling Bitcoin Miners
The lending fund is designed to support crypto mining firms impacted by the market downturn.
Cardano’s First DeFi Project Revealed as Partnership With Bondly Finance Announced
Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK) has just announced a new partnership that would enable the first decentralized finance (DeFi) project on the network.
Mastercard Unveils Interoperable CBDC in Australia
Mastercard, in association with the RBA and DFCRC, has demonstrated a groundbreaking interoperable CBDC solution to enhance Web3 commerce in Australia and beyond. The live demonstration showcased a pilot CBDC holder purchasing an NFT on Ethereum, utilizing Mastercard’s Multi Token Network, emphasizing the potential of blockchain interoperability in fostering secure and efficient digital commerce.
Top 5 Fintech Predictions That Will Redefine The Landscape of Financial Markets in 2021
Undoubtedly fintech is leading us towards an unpredictable future considering the fintech leader’s insights and predictions.
JPMorgan Partners with DBS Group and Temasek to Develop Blockchain-Powered Trade Platform
JPMorgan has partnered with DBS Group Holdings and Singapore-based investment company Temasek to create a blockchain-enabled foreign exchange platform.
Leaked FinCEN Files: $137M Linked to Crypto Ponzi Scam OneCoin Laundered Through Bank of New York Mellon
A leaked trove of US official documents revealed that five major banks were involved in illicit transactions pertaining to mobsters and crypto Ponzi schemes.
Bank of Japan Testing Digital Yen CBDC
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has just announced that it will begin experimenting with a Digital Yen, its own Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to test its technical application and feasibility.
ZipmexX Suspends Withdrawals, Citing Celsius and Babel Risk Exposure
Asia's leading digital asset exchange ZipmexX has suspended users' cryptocurrency withdrawals, citing the move as the exchange's assets could be swallowed up by the financial crisis facing the Celsius Network and cryptocurrency lender Babel Finance.
‘Big Four’ Tech Amazon, Google, Apple & Facebook Grilled During US Antitrust Hearing
In an antitrust hearing with the Judiciary Committee of US Congress, the CEOs of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google testified, as a continuation of an unfinished legal conversation with lawmakers.
DFA Bill Passed, But Central Bank of Russia Still Thinks Cryptos Are Criminal
Despite the Digital Financial Assets bill being passed by the State Duma, Russia’s Central Bank has nevertheless argued that crypto transactions are not deemed as legitimate investments.
Tether CTO: Moving DeFi forward in Asia
Paolo Ardoino, CTO of Tether gives his take on the Decentralized Finance DEFI Ecosystem in Asia standing on the cusp of a global digital banking revolution.
IOSCO to Consult on Crypto Regulation
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) plans to launch a consultation for its crypto asset regulation report in Q2 2023. The final recommendations are expected to be published by the end of 2023, with separate workflows dedicated to crypto assets and decentralized finance.
Crypto Exchange Web Traffic Hit 473.3 Million Visits in October
More participants are eyeing the cryptocurrency sector, given that the crypto exchange web traffic has witnessed a 15.5% increase month-on-month (MoM).
Yearn.finance Appeals to Arbitrage Traders for $1.4 Million in Recovery Funds After Multisig Error
Yearn.finance seeks the return of $1.4 million from traders after a multisignature scripting error drained its treasury.
Different Stances on Cryptocurrency Risk Revealed, Many Still Link Crypto to Cyber Fraud
Findings revealed that banks, governments, and cryptocurrency professionals were divided in their stance on digital currencies.
Swiss Retail Bank to Offer Cryptocurrency Services
PostFinance has partnered with Sygnum to offer customers cryptocurrency trading and storage services, including Bitcoin and Ether.
Hong Kong Aims to Lead in Green Finance and Web 3.0, Says Financial Secretary
Hong Kong is setting its sights on becoming a global leader in two new fields: green finance and Web 3.0, according to a recent speech by the city's Financial Secretary Paul Chan.
Facebook Launches Fintech Product Group F2 to Run Payments Across All its Apps
Facebook has expanded its fintech horizons and announced the launch of a new product group dedicated to payments purposes.
Ripple CTO Advocates for Community Consensus on XRP Ledger's AMM Feature Integration
Ripple's CTO, David Schwartz, stresses the importance of community consensus for integrating the Automated Market Maker (AMM) feature on the XRP Ledger. Through discussions on X (formerly Twitter), Schwartz outlines a methodical approach to addressing concerns and urges validators to support the amendment only after achieving community agreement. The AMM feature, seen as a significant stride in decentralized finance on XRPL, was introduced in rippled version 1.12.0 alongside a potential clawback feature aimed at legal liability protection for developers. Schwartz's engagement exemplifies a balanced approach to evolving XRPL while preserving its decentralized character.
Hong Kong Financial Watchdog Proposes Restricting Cryptocurrency Trading to Professional Investors
Hong Kong retail traders may be prohibited from trading cryptocurrencies if the city’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau’s proposed rule is approved.
ZetaChain and Curve Finance Collaborate to Revolutionize DeFi with Native BTC Support
ZetaChain and Curve Finance have partnered to introduce native Bitcoin support for cross-chain swaps and omnichain asset pools, enhancing asset management efficiency across blockchains.
Bitcoin is Now Worth More Than Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway with a Market Value of $540 Billion
The price surge past $29,000 has made BTC worth more valuable than Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
BNY Mellon Joins the Marco Polo Network to Develop a More Open and Connected Trade Finance Network
The Marco Polo Network announced a new strategic partnership with the Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon) to create a vast financial atmosphere that will ensure economic as well as trade growth, making BNY Mellon a member of the top network of financial institutions which leverage blockchain technology for trade finance.
Cryptex Finance to Launch NFT Index Token JPEGz in Q4
Cryptex Finance is set to launch a new JPEGz token powered by Chainlink and Coinbase Cloud.
Lido Finance Halts Operations on Solana Following Community Consensus
Lido Finance is discontinuing its operations on Solana blockchain following a community consensus within its DAO. The decision, revealed on October 16, 2023, comes after a proposal highlighting the unsustainable financials of Lido on Solana. Despite this cessation, Lido expresses continued optimism for Solana's ecosystem.
Japan Accelerates Digital Yen Plans Amidst Global CBDC Race
Japan is advancing its plans for a digital yen, with the Bank of Japan set to pilot a CBDC program and the finance ministry preparing an expert panel to address legalities, signaling a significant shift in Japan's traditional cash-centric economy.
Financial Stability on The Brink of Instability Due to Bigtech Companies
FSB Worries that the development of BigTech Companies and their growing user community may cause the disintegration of banks amongst other mainstream financial systems.
Yearn.finance (YFI) Sees Massive Price Spike, Analyst says a Bubble is not Possible in the New Paradigm
Yearn.finance (YFI) price has been surging in the past week, as the cryptocurrency market has seen massive bullish momentum as Bitcoin led the way.
Crypto Exchange FTX Expands Business to Africa, Partnering Kenyan Fintech Firm AZA Finance
To expand its global footprint and presence on African soil, top-notch cryptocurrency exchange FTX has partnered with AZA Finance, a Kenyan-based fintech company.
Thailand's SEC Eyes on Decentralized Finance
Thai financial authority turn their eyes to decentralized finance regulation by requesting future DeFi-related activities to get appropriate licenses.
DeFi’s Smart Contract Risks: Cream Finance’s Input Error Led to CREAM Token Plunging 25%
The DeFi sector has attracted millions to billions of dollars worth of crypto to the industry, however, some protocols have shown issues.
Basel Committee on Banking Supervision Seeks Advice on Designing Prudential Treatment for Crypto-assets
Basel Committee on Banking Supervision publishes paper going over the design for prudential treatment for crypto assets. The paper goes over areas such as risks of crypto-asset exposures, capital, and liquidity requirements, and general considerations for the prudential treatment.
Ethereum Breaks Past $2,000 for the First Time as DeFi's Total Revenue Hits $800 Million
Ethereum (ETH) is on fire as it continues making record-breaking moves. Ether has broken the record by surging past the $2,000 mark across major exchanges.
Accenture Forms Strategic Partnership with TradeIX, Joining the Marco Polo Network
Professional services firm Accenture has partnered with TradeIX to create new use cases for the buyers and sellers in the trade finance market. TradeIX, a trade finance blockchain startup, previously launched the Marco Polo Network along with R3.
Ethereum Projects Launch MEV Blocker to Minimize Invisible Tax
27 Ethereum projects have launched MEV Blocker, a solution to reduce maximally extractable value (MEV), or Ethereum's invisible tax. MEV Blocker is a free tool developed to counter MEV bots that hijack transactions and inflate prices for users. It sends at least 90% of profits back to users and can protect them from frontrunning and sandwiching when using any Ethereum DApp.
Coinbase Crypto Exchange to Launch Bitcoin-Backed Loans to US Clients
Coinbase announced yesterday that it was going to offer Bitcoin-backed loans to their US customers, set to be in effect for fall of this year.
Nexus Mutual Enters Bancor’s DAO Ecosystem to Generate Protocol-Owned Liquidity
To gain durable decentralized liquidity, Nexus Mutual, an Ethereum-based insurance platform, staked treasury funds worth $2 million in the form of wrapped NXM (wNXM) tokens in decentralized trading protocol Bancor.
CoinGecko: 2024 Q1 Strong Crypto Industry Growth Propels Market Cap to $2.9 Trillion
CoinGecko's recently released 2024 Q1 Crypto Industry Report reveals significant growth in the cryptocurrency market, with the total market cap reaching $2.9 trillion. The report covers various aspects, including the performance of Bitcoin and Ethereum, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystems, and the performance of centralized and decentralized exchanges.
UK Watchdog Proposes Tougher Advertising Rules
If the UK Government approves the FCA's plan, crypto businesses from abroad may have to meet additional conditions to advertise to UK clients.
FinCEN Director Kenneth Blanco Warns Banks to Take Crypto AML Seriously
Kenneth Blanco, the Director of the FinCEN warned banks to seriously consider how virtual currencies should fit into their anti-money laundering (AML) policies.
Winklevoss Backs Ethereum DeFi Craze, Despite Crypto Downtrend and Market Experts' Concerns
With speculations that the decentralized finance (DeFi) industry is rapidly approaching bubble territory, the Winklevoss twins have vouched for the contrary, saying that the current DeFi craze is a revolution in the making.
Tried and Failed: Maker Foundation's Attempt to Patent "DeFi"
Set out to rid the decentralized finance space, free from scammers, DeFi creators tried to patent the term ‘DeFi’. However, this was short-lived as the United States Patent and Trademark Office rejected the registered application last January.
SlowMist Reports Surge in Diverse Crypto Security Incidents for the Week of September 17-23, 2023
SlowMist, a cybersecurity firm specializing in blockchain, released its weekly security report for the week of September 17-23, 2023. The report highlights a total of seven security incidents with an estimated loss of around $380,600. The week saw a significant rise in phishing attacks and rug pull tactics, as well as the emergence of diverse attack methods like DNS hijacking and contract vulnerabilities.
ConsolFreight Releases New Proof Of Concept To Advance The Role Of Logistics Providers In Trade Finance
"Banks are short-sighted in determining and validating the value of the goods being financed. They have drawn a very distinctive line between Logistics and Financial institutions, where the value of the assets is entirely disconnected from the process. Thus, leaving an untapped market of unfulfilled credit demand estimated at $1.6 trillion," says ConsolFreight's CEO, Ernesto Vila.
Global Microfinance Market Projected to Reach $506 Billion by 2030
The global microfinance market, valued at $200 billion in 2022, is expected to grow to $506 billion by 2030, according to a new report by ResearchAndMarkets.com. The market is set to expand at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2022 to 2030. Microenterprises are identified as a vital growth driver for Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). The report also highlights the role of emerging technologies like AI and blockchain in shaping the industry.
European Crypto Startups See Record VC Investment in 2022
Despite a challenging year for the crypto industry in 2022, VC investment in European crypto startups reached an all-time high of $5.7 billion, with decentralized finance startups seeing a 120% increase in investments. Europe is also home to the highest number of crypto startups, but lags behind the US in unicorns and startups with over $1 million in funding. Investment in financial service-based startups declined by 19% compared to 2021, while infrastructure grew by 24%. The EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulations are set for a final vote in April 2023.
Yearn Finance (YFI) Sees New All-Time High at $18K—Why is this DeFi Token Valued Higher than Bitcoin?
Yearn.finance (YFI) token has seen a new all-time high, surging past $18K at $18,169, after soaring 30 percent in the past 12 hours.
Crypto Trading Income eToro Spikes to $264 Million in Q2
eToro has posted a massive increase in cryptocurrency income that accounts for 73% for its entire trading commissions in the second quarter 2021. The company’s latest financial results provide more evidence that the cryptocurrency boom is more than just hype.
The Bahamas Becomes First Country to Launch its CBDC, the ‘Sand Dollar’
The Bahamas has launched the Sand Dollar, making it the first country in the world to officially release a central bank digital currency (CBDC) beyond the testing phase.
Prepare for Bitcoin’s Early Adopters (They’re Not Who You Expect)
As the opt-out movement gains steam, another group of people may end up pushing crypto into the mainstream: old people and business leaders.
Ondo Points Program Launches
Ondo Foundation's new Ondo Points program and ONDO token unlock plan mark significant steps in community engagement and token utility in the DeFi sector.
Thai Government Announces Blockchain Technology Adoption in Finance Agencies to Enhance Work Efficiency
The Thai government has remained visible as one of the leading governments committed to adopting blockchain technology. Many innovations concerning blockchain use cases can be learned from the government.
Euler Finance suffers $197M DeFi hack
Decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol Euler Finance lost nearly $197 million in a flash loan attack on March 13, impacting more than 11 other DeFi protocols. The vulnerability remained on-chain for eight months despite a $1 million bug bounty in place. Euler Finance disabled the vulnerable etoken module and vulnerable donation function, and has reached out to security firms and the ETH security community to help with the investigation and recover the stolen funds.
Curve Founder Michael Egorov Withdraws Near 12 Million CRV Tokens
Michael Egorov, the founder of Curve Finance, withdrew nearly 12 million CRV tokens, equivalent to $5.08 million, from the platform's vesting contracts on October 12, 2023. This move aligns with the vesting schedule of CRV, enabling Egorov to claim $235,000 worth of CRV daily.
Yearn.finance (YFI) Takes a Hit After Eminence Finance (EMN) Bug—Is this the End for DeFi?
Andre Cronje, the founder of Yearn.finance has recently deployed a series of new contracts relating to a new game called Eminence Finance.
Russian Citizens Are Using P2P Bitcoin Markets to Escape Monolithic Banking System
Crypto usage is growing in Russia, despite attempts by the government to make investment more difficult.
Blockchain Unleashed at the United Nations General Assembly on the Global Crisis
Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old has been on the headlines for the global climate crisis movement and has delivered a compelling speech at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Crypto Bloodbath Spills to DeFi as TVL Nosedives
The DeFi Total Value Locked (TVL) has also plunged in tandem, dropping to $83 billion at the time of writing.
Cream Finance Promise to Refund Stolen Funds in its $462M Protocol Exploit
Cream Finance has plans to refund victims of its latest network attack.
Trade Finance Platform We.Trade on the Brink of Liquidation, Report says
We.trade, a trade finance platform, established as a joint venture among multinational firms, including 12 banks is on the brink of liquidation, local media reports.
Thetanuts Finance Grabs $18M Funding Round to Democratize DeFi Structured Products
Thetanuts Finance raised the investment through the help of major investors. The decentralized finance firm plans to use the funds raised to make DeFi structured products accessible to all users, including retail investors.
US Treasury Secretary Yellen Optimises to Recognize Crypto Role in Finance
Janet Yellen said that the benefits of cryptocurrency are clear and the US Treasury Department acknowledges the role it plays in the current landscape.
Binance Invests Heavily in Chinese Crypto Media Firm
According to a Bloomberg report, Binance has debuted an investment in China With a crypto Media and data sourcing company, Mars Finance.
Bitcoin Price and the Global Financial Crisis: Everybody's Looking at the Wrong Markets
While everybody obsesses over stock markets, bailouts, and inflation, the biggest global financial risks come from the collapse of debt markets. What does this mean for bitcoin?
Curve Finance Launches MIM/crvUSD Pool on Arbitrum, Bolstering DeFi Ecosystem
Curve Finance's new MIM/crvUSD liquidity pool on Arbitrum marks a significant advancement in DeFi, offering enhanced liquidity and user experience. This strategic move leverages Arbitrum's layer 2 capabilities for faster, cost-effective transactions, underlining Curve's commitment to innovation and community-driven governance.
Babel Finance Halts Withdrawals as Crypto Market Plunges
Amid the current selloff, Babel Finance has become the latest to suspend withdrawals. The crypto lender said that its woes are triggered by the current difficult market conditions.
White House Budget Urges Legislation to Return Secret Service to Treasury Due to Crypto Crime Surge
Cryptocurrencies, and other technological advancements, projected as a threat to the international financial marketplace, the department believes has contributed to more groups of criminal organizations and more links between financial and electronic crimes combined.
US District Judge Rules in Favor of Custodial Arrangement for bZx DAO Members
A US district judge has ruled that bZx DAO transactions are custodial due to the ability for developers to upgrade a smart contract where the key is held by a single developer, as highlighted in a class-action lawsuit against bZx DAO and others. This may impact DeFi platforms that use multisigs and require them to obtain custody licenses to comply with the law.
Yearn.finance Announces Partnership With Cream and New Lending Project: Stable Credit
Yearn.finance founder Andre Cronje has recently published details of an upcoming integration with Cream, a DeFi lending protocol.
Defi Wallet Unstoppable Finance Raises $12.8M in Series A Fund
Berlin-based Unstoppable Finance has announced a €12.5 million ($12.8 million) Series A round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Russian Hacker Sentenced to 5 years of Prison for Money Laundering, Cybercrimes, and Extortion
Russian Hacker Alexander Vinnik has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by a Parisian court. The judgment may be appealed as noted by Vinnik's lawyer.
DeFi Platform Texture Secures $5M in Funds to Develop Yield Management Tools
DeFi protocol Texture Finance has tapped $5m in funding from P2P Capital amongst others.
EY Ops Chain: Bringing Transparency and Accountability to Public Finance Management
Blockchain.News sat down with Jimmy Ong, EY Asia-Pacific Blockchain Leader to take a deep dive in EY Ops Chain and EY Blockchain Analyzer. In particular, we explore how EY Ops Chain facilitates a more transparent public finance tracking. Ong also shared an interesting use case when EY Ops Chain enables the tracking of blood in Canada.
5% Global Business Transactions Expected to Utilize Blockchain Technology by 2028: SkyQuest
At least 5% of worldwide business transactions are expected to utilize blockchain technology by 2028, thanks to heightened activity in the fintech blockchain market, according to a report by research firm SkyQuest.
Crema Finance Hacker Returns Stolen Crypto Following Negotiation
Crema Finance has received 6,064 ETH ($7 million) and 23,967 SOL ($870,000) from a hacker who had stolen 69,422.9 SOL and 6,497,738 USDC stablecoin (roughly $9 million) following a negotiation.
DeFi Growth Could be Hindered if US Regulators Go After Decentralized Exchanges
Recently many DeFi tokens have plunged drastically in the past few weeks, with Uniswap’s UNI token and Yearn.finance (YFI) plunging over 38 percent.
Crypto Market Onslaught Stretches to DeFi as TVL Slumps to $114bn
With a broad-based caution being exercised by investors with regards to risk assets, there has been a massive outflow of funds from DeFi protocols as many investors anticipate calm to re-engulf the ecosystem.
South Africa Pioneers Blockchain-Enabled Property Register Pilot Project
The Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF) has teamed up with Seso Global, a blockchain property registry company, to develop the first-ever blockchain-powered property register in South Africa.
PwC Global Crypto Leader Henri Arslanian on the Future of the Crypto Ecosystem
Henri Arslanian, the PwC Global Crypto Leader, Chairman of the FinTech Association of Hong Kong, is the highest-profile FinTech consultant in Hong Kong according to Chambers Global. Blockchain.News interviewed Arslanian at the Asian Financial Forum held in Hong Kong earlier this month, where he was invited to speak on the development of FinTech. The Asian Financial Forum brought over 3,500 speakers and influential financial experts, policymakers, and business leaders.
China and Singapore establish task force for green finance cooperation
China and Singapore have formed a task force to collaborate on green and transition finance initiatives. The China-Singapore Green Finance Taskforce (GFTF) will focus on developing financial standards, products, and technologies to support a low-carbon future in the region. The task force will also facilitate greater public-private sector collaboration and strengthen sustainability bond market connectivity.
Composable Finance Wins Polkadot Parachain Auctions
Composable Finance, a robust cross-chain and cross-layer infrastructure with intuitive tools for developers, has won the 8th slot in the 7th Polkadot Parachain auctions.
The DeFi space is on a path of steady recovery as good actors
Yearn.finance, MakerDAO, SushiSwap, and Aave were among 30 protocols engaged.
DeFi Protocol Harvest Finance Put Out $100K Bounty After $24M Attack, FARM Token Crashes
Harvest Finance is taking the offensive against an alleged attacker who exploited the DeFi protocols liquidity pools—putting a $100K bounty on the hacker.
Third Co-Founder of Centra Tech Pleads Guilty for $25 Million ICO Fraud
It has recently been announced that the third co-founder of Centra Tech has agreed to plead guilty for his role in the $25 Million Initial Coin Offering (ICO) Scam his cryptocurrency firm was involved in.
Tezos Integrates Harbinger Price Oracle As Network Prepares For DeFi
Tezos is taking another step towards decentralized finance (DeFi) with a delegated price feed oracle called Harbinger.
Curve Finance and the Vyper Vulnerability: A Technical Post-Mortem Report
Curve Finance suffered an exploit on July 30, 2023, due to a Vyper compiler vulnerability in versions 0.2.15, 0.2.16, and 0.3.0, affecting multiple liquidity pools.
Swiss-based Crypto Firms Selects Tezos for Tokenizing Finance Products
Swiss firms, Crypto Finance Group, InCore Bank, and Inacta have tapped the power of Tezos blockchain to launch tokenized finance products.
Only 5% of Financial Executives Want to Invest in Bitcoin in 2021, According to Survey
According to a survey, about 70% of financial executives said that they are watching closely what others are doing with Bitcoins and they would still like to hear more from regulators about the digital currency before allocating a portion of their company's cash reserves to the cryptocurrency.
US Senate Finance Committee Seeks Input on Taxation of Digital Assets
The US Senate Finance Committee has issued an open letter to the digital asset community and other interested parties, seeking their input on the taxation of digital assets. The letter, dated July 11, 2023, was signed by Chair Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Mike Crapo.
Uniswap's Front-End Fees Surpass $1 Million
Uniswap's front-end fees exceed $1 million in 24 days, contributing 17.4% to its total fees, with an estimated annual revenue of $15.2 million.
Will DeFi Migrate to New Blockchain Platforms with the Surge in Ethereum Gas Prices?
The rise of DeFi in 2020 has made experts question whether Ethereum could sustain the sheer volume of transactions in the long run.
PayPal’s Crypto Trading Services Officially Launch in the United States, Driving Bitcoin’s Price Past 16K
PayPal’s crypto services are officially available for use in the United States. In response to the announcement, Bitcoin's price spiked and pushed past $16K.
Nested Raises a $7.5M Seed Funding, Expanding DeFi Social Trading Products & Network
Nested wants to use the funds raised to fuel its DeFi social trading platform’s product offering and network across the world.
Yearn Finance (YFI) Surges to 3X the Value of Bitcoin, Reaching Another All-Time High in Anticipation of yETH launch
Yearn.finance (YFI) token has seen a new all-time high, reaching $39,600 on Binance, just a day after its previous new high of $38,000. What's behind the surge?
Gitcoin Pivots to Ethereum Grants
Gitcoin, the open-source funding platform, announces a strategic shift from public goods funding to concentrate on grants infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem. This reorganization aims to enhance technological development within Ethereum, transitioning from a flat organizational structure to a more defined "Labs" model for improved efficiency and direction.
Microsoft and Finastra Open Cloud Solution to Exponentially Accelerate Innovation for 8,500 Banks and Institutions
Finastra and Microsoft Corp have announced a strategic, multiyear cloud agreement to help accelerate the digital transformation of financial services and help realise and open source future for finance.
Platypus Finance Suffers Exploit Resulting in Over $2M Loss
Platypus Finance, a DeFi protocol on the Avalanche blockchain, suffered an exploit on 12th October 2023, leading to a loss of over $2 million. The protocol had temporarily suspended all pools due to suspicious activities and is working towards resolving the issue. Blockchain security firm PeckShield Inc identified and disclosed the exploit, underscoring the need for enhanced security measures in the DeFi space.
Bringing Bitcoin to Ethereum: Wrapped Bitcoin Surpasses $1 Billion in Total Value Locked
Decentralized finance (DeFi) keeps booming as one of its Bitcoin tokenization protocols recently skyrocketed by 900% in a span of two months.
Equilibrium and Chainlink to Power Synthetic Assets and Stablecoins on Polkadot
Equilibrium has chosen Chainlink, a tokenized oracle network, to power synthetic assets, lending, and stablecoins using its smart contracts.
Curve Finance Submits Application for 1 Million OP Token Grant
Curve Finance has submitted a governance proposal on Optimism for a 1 million OP token grant, according to a post on the Optimism forum submitted on July 24.
Ripple Co-Founder Reveals Key Factor that Can Drive Up XRP Adoption
Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen disclosed what could potentially help in pushing XRP’s popularity higher.
US Blockchain Firm Ripple Considers Relocation to UK and Singapore for Better Crypto Regulatory Clarity
Ripple CEO explains why he is considering UK and Singapore as potential countries to move blockchain firm Ripple's operations to.
Kraken Introduces Simple, Secure, and Powerful Kraken Wallet
Kraken has launched Kraken Wallet, a self-custodial wallet that offers simplicity, security, and power to users. The wallet allows seamless interaction with popular blockchains, comprehensive portfolio tracking, and WalletConnect integration. With a focus on privacy and backed by Kraken's industry-leading security measures, Kraken Wallet aims to accelerate crypto adoption and empower users in the decentralized world.
Ethereum Gas Fees Surge to a Monthly High, Supply on Exchanges Continues to Decline
Ethereum's total fees has hit a monthly high of 746.026 ETH.
Transit Finance Convinces Hacker to Return $2m to Protocol
Transit Finance protocol has announced there is an agreement to return at least $10,000 BNB tokens gradually after conversations with the biggest hacker.
dYdX Utilizes $9M Insurance Fund Following Alleged Targeted Attack on YFI
dYdX deployed $9 million from v3 insurance fund to cover YFI market liquidations, suspecting targeted attack and market manipulation. No user funds affected, insurance fund remains at $13.5 million.
Digital Transformation in Finance and Accounting Accelerated by Pandemic, ISG Reports
The 2023 ISG Provider Lens™ report highlights the global transformation of finance and accounting departments due to COVID-19 lockdowns and remote work, relying on external providers for digital strategies and outcome-based contracts.
China's Vice President Wang Qishan: World Economy In Deep Recession, Finance Is The Core of Modern Economy
During Qishan Wang's speech, the Vice President of the People's Republic of China gave an overview of the world trend in economic development and finance.
Mogul Productions Implements Chainlink Oracles to Optimize Film Financing
Some industries are reluctant to change because they benefit a small group of people or firms; film financing fits this category. Mainly restricted to established companies, funding and producing an independent movie can be extremely challenging without the right backers. One project looking to remedy that is Mogul Productions, a blockchain-based, decentralized film financing platform.
Ethereum Transaction Fees Record Lowest Price Since Beginning of DeFi Boom
Ethereum transaction fees recorded its lowest price since July, when the decentralized finance (DeFi) boom began. What does this mean?
In Talks with "Interested Parties" for Bailout, Says Zipmex
Zipmex cryptocurrency trading platform is looking ahead as it has confirmed that it is in talks with interested parties who would like to bail out the platform from its recently identified woes.
Ethereum Transactions Hit A Record-High of 1.4 Million
The Ethereum network has reached a notable milestone in its daily transactions after hitting an all-time high of 1,406,016 as availed by Etherscan data on September 17. It broke the previous record of 1.35 million attained on January 4, 2018.
3AC Withdraws $45m from Curve and Convex amid Bankruptcy
Three Arrows Capital (3AC) might have declared bankruptcy, but the firm is still conducting a number of robust transactions according to insights derived from on-chain data.
Yearn.finance Proposal to Create ETH 2.0 Validator Vault Could be a Game-Changer for Staking
Retail investors could soon have the opportunity to earn on ETH 2.0 if a proposal on Ethereum 2.0 validator vault on Yearn passes.
Brazil Could Deploy CBDC by 2022, Says Central Bank President
According to Brazil’s Central Bank president Roberto Campos Neto, the country has all the necessary implementations set in place for a digital currency issuance to happen in 2022.
Platypus Launches Native Stablecoin USP
Platypus Finance is launching USP, a protocol-native stablecoin. USP’s deployment has emerged from Platypus’ goal of improving capital efficiency for its users. USP also resolves long-running collateral issues associated with stablecoins. The native Platypus Finance stablecoin has been designed to reduce the liquidity fragmentation and scattered assets that are endemic to many protocols.
Ethereum Has Vastly Outperformed Tech Stocks With a Staggering 171% ROI
Ethereum's price drop hasn’t dampened its spirits to offer an impressive return on investment (ROI) so far this year compared to tech stocks like Microsoft, Facebook, and Apple.
China’s First National Level Blockchain Cross-Border Financial System Goes Live
China Guangfa Bank (CGB), a major Chinese bank, has officially launched the blockchain-based cross-border financial service platform on June 15, with the guidance of the Guangdong Branch of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Propels Web3 Expansion
Hong Kong's Financial Secretary, Paul, has highlighted the growing significance of digital entertainment as an economic sector. The government has allocated HKD 50 million to support a thriving Web3 ecosystem, with over 180 companies involved.
Japan Will Include Central Bank Digital Currency in Honebuto Economic Plan
The Japanese Government has continued its acceleration towards a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and is set to include its consideration in its formal economic plan.
Polygon Surges by 2600% on a Year-to-Date Basis as Adoption of Layer 2 Accelerates
Polygon's rate of return is very impressive, rising by more than 2600%, from $0.0178 to $0.468 since the beginning of 2021.
Maple Finance Opens Cash Management Solution to U.S. Investors, Backed by U.S. Treasury Bills
Maple Finance opens Cash Management to U.S. Accredited Investors, offering yield backed by U.S. Treasury bills.
US Federal Reserve Weighs the Pros and Cons of a Digital Dollar CBDC
The US Federal Reserve has continued to research the benefits and impact of implementing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Decentralized Lending Platform Cream Finance Announces Integration with Polygon Network
Decentralized lending platform Cream Finance officially announced integrating with Polygon by launching its money markets on the Ethereum layer 2 scaling solution Polygon network.
What is DeFi: The Ultimate Guide to Decentralized Finance Technology
The concept of decentralized finance (DeFi) has become so potent that it is difficult to separate the prospect of blockchain and crypto from the success or failure of DeFi as the ideal alternative to traditional financial systems. Owing to the importance of innovations classified as DeFi to the crypto economy, here are four fundamentals of DeFi.
Blockchain.News Interview with Co-founder and CIO of CryptAM, David Demmer on Digital Asset Management
We conducted an interview with the Founder and CIO of CryptAM, a Fintech firm that offer high net-worth and institutional investors access and diversification into the digital asset market. He also shared with us his views and insights on the current digital asset landscape.
UAE Rolls Out Blockchain-Powered Trade Finance Platform to Fight Fraud
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a blockchain-enabled trade finance platform dubbed UAE Trade Connect to curb economic crimes like money laundering, under-invoicing, and fraud.
Yearn.finance’s YFI Token Pumps to a New Record High of $95K
Yearn.finance's governance token YFI set a new record high of $95,000 today.
Twitter Bitcoin Hack Demonstrates That Crypto Fraud is Easier to Track Than Fiat
Cryptocurrency regulation was the hot topic during an ongoing panel hosted by the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists.
Crypto Investment Fraud Generates $27 Million, SEC Charges Scammers Posing as Pastors
The US Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint against three men posing as pastors who defrauded churchgoers in a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme.
JPMorgan CEO Calls for More Regulatory Clarity for Cryptocurrencies
In a letter to his shareholders, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon cited the need for regulatory clarity for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
CFTC Demands $572 Million in Penalty and Restitution for Bitcoin Scam, Defendant Nowhere to be Found
US CFTC demanded that the founder of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency scam company Control-Finance pay $572 million in penalty and restitution fees for Bitcoin fraud.
US Government Creates Cyber Fraud Task Force to Put an End to Crypto Crime
The US Secret Service is hoping to put an end to the increasing money-laundering cases that have erupted with the rise of COVID-19, by creating a special division, dubbed the Cyber Fraud Task Force (CFTF).
Hacker moves stolen funds after bounty launch
The hacker who stole $196 million from Euler Finance has transferred $1.65 million through Tornado Cash, after a $1 million bounty was launched. Victims pleaded for return of funds, but the hacker's move to a crypto mixer suggests they may not be swayed. On-chain data shows the stolen funds consisted of DAI, USDC, staked ETH and WBTC.
DeFi Keeps Surging with Decentralized Finance’s Total Locked in Value at over $9 Billion
DeFi's value keeps surging with Decentralized Finance’s locked in value now at over $9 Billion
FinCEN Proposes Cryptocurrency Guidelines to Fight Money Laundering and Regulate Unhosted Wallets
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has proposed regulatory measures for businesses operating with cryptocurrencies, such as exchanges.
Compound Founder's New Venture Superstate To Bridge Traditional and Blockchain Finance
Compound's Founder and CEO, Robert Leshner, has announced the launch of a new venture, Superstate (@superstatefunds). "Superstate's mission is to create regulated financial products that bridge traditional markets & blockchain ecosystems," said Leshner, signaling a significant shift in the financial industry.
IBM Blockchain in Action: What are the Benefits?
In first and second parts of our interview with Alan Lim, the Program Director of IBM Blockchain Lab in the Asia Pacific, we explored the idea of data standards to improve the supply chain industry, as well as the IBM Food Trust, a food provenance network that allows food products to be traced and tracked. Digging deeper into IBM Blockchain, what else has the company been working on?
Bitcoin Provides a Check Against Economic Mismanagement, says US Politician
US politician Ro Khanna has shared a tweet that is bullish on Bitcoin. He also advocated for sustainable cryptocurrency mining operations.
ChatGPT in Finance: A New Era of Ethical Considerations and Solutions
ChatGPT is revolutionizing the finance sector, bringing innovative applications and ethical challenges. This article explores its uses, the ethical concerns it raises, and potential solutions for a responsible future in finance.
Yearn.finance Founder Andre Cronje Introduces New DeFi Protocol Deriswap for Capital Efficiency
Another project has been introduced by Yearn.finance’s founder, Andre Cronje. The new decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol unveiled by Cronje, is Deriswap.
Band Protocol (BAND) and Chainlink (LINK) DeFi Tokens Outperform Bitcoin by Gaining 100%
With the recent boom of the decentralized finance (DeFi) industry, DeFi tokens have undergone more than a 100% gain on the crypto market over the past few weeks, outperforming Bitcoin.
Huobi Exchange Floats Investment Arm Ivy Blocks
Huobi Exchange, one of the largest trading platforms in the world has launched its investment arm, dubbed Ivy Blocks as it seeks to deepen its foothold in the growing Web3.0 ecosystem
R3's Marco Polo Network Welcomes First Indian Corporate as Asia Serves as a Key Area of Growth
The Marco Polo Network announced on Thursday that India’s leading provider of digital transformation, Tech Mahindra became the first corporate in India to join the R3’s open-source blockchain-based Marco Polo Network for facilitating cross-border transactions.
US Prosecutors Unseal Indictment of $20 Million Dollar Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme
US prosecutors have recently indicted a group of investment scammers who have orchestrated a cryptocurrency mining fraud following a Ponzi scheme protocol.
Goldman Sachs Applies for a DeFi and Blockchain ETF to Optimize Investment Results
Banking giant Goldman Sachs applied for an exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission intended to maximize investment results based on the performance of the Solactive DeFi and Blockchain index.
Crypto Wallets Holding at least 1 Ethereum Hit a Monthly High Despite Price Correction
New data by on-chain data provider Glassnode reveals that despite the current price correction, Ethereum addresses holding more than 1 ETH have hit a monthly high of 1,175,408.
Philippines Warns the Public on Bitcoin Scammers Posing as Government Officials
Finance ministry of the Philippines Government has alerted the public about false information that fraudulently uses the name of Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to promote a fake crypto trading platform recognized as “Bitcoin Revolution”.
Italian Banking Association Chose Decentralized Blockchain Route
The Italian Banking Association, Associazione Bancaria Italiana (ABI), chose to leverage the blockchain-based system Spunta, as they could not identify an appropriate single actor to run a centralized system.
Crypto Gains Flattens But These Altcoins Are Set to Cool Off
Per the top 100 cryptocurrencies listed on CoinMarketCap, Aave (AAVE), Quant Network (QNT), and Convex Finance (CVX) recorded the most bullish growths within this time frame
OMG Announces Kaiko to Expand Financial Instruments Global Identifier (FIGI) Standard for Crypto Assets
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 20, 2021 - Financial Instruments Global Identifier® (FIGI®) is an open standard for the issuance of unique identifiers that can be assigned to financial instruments including common stock, options, derivatives, futures, corporate and government bonds, municipals, currencies, and mortgage products.
Institutional Bitcoin Adoption in Asia is Making a Big Step Forward
Bitcoin adoption in Asia is taking a new turn as more institutional investors are joining the network.
Crypto is Becoming the Lifeline for Ordinary Russians, Coinbase CEO Says
Meanwhile, as the war between Russia and Ukraine ravages, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong believes that cryptocurrencies are emerging as the lifeline for Russians as the nation faces heavy sanctions.
American Bank Inks Deal with Bakkt, Offering Trading & Holding of Tokens
To offer customers the option of accessing Bitcoin and Ethereum using their bank accounts, American Bank has partnered with Bakkt.
Blockchain in Fintech Sector Expected to Hit $31.4B by 2030
Blockchain in the FinTech market is anticipated to reach $31.4 billion by 2030, given that the penetration of this cutting-edge technology in the financial industry has boosted app-based operations.
Bitcoin's Correlation with S&P 500 at a Nine Year Peak, says Quantum Economics Founder Mati Greenspan
Mati Greenspan, founder of Quantum Economics believes the coronavirus pandemic has brought Bitcoin closer to the S&P 500 than ever before.
Babel Finance Lost Over $280m in Proprietary Trading with Customer Funds
Babel Finance has undergone severe loss as it executed proprietary trading with customer funds. The Asian crypto lender is in trouble and has abruptly suspended client withdrawals from last month.
HSBC Undertakes Blockchain-based Trade Finance Transacntion for Automotive Sector in the Middle East
Through the blockchain technology supported by the Contour platform, HSBC conducted a trade finance transaction between SAIC Motor and Taajeer Group.
One Thing Needs to Happen Before Bitcoin Booms
No matter bitcoin's price or how well it performs as an investment asset, most people will not put any money into it until its price goes up for a while.
Radiant Capital Suffers $4.5M Flash Loan Attack
Radiant Capital was hit by a $4.5M flash loan attack due to a known codebase rounding issue, leading to a temporary pause in their Arbitrum market operations.
RBL Bank Partners with Accenture to Build A Digital Bank Infrastructure
RBL Bank announced that it will partner with Accenture, who envisions that it will enhance the bank’s information technology (IT) network and services.
Magnate Finance Deployer Gained $16.7M in Rug Pulls and MAG Down Over 90%
Magnate Finance, a project on Coinbase's BASE platform, has been linked to a series of rug pulls totaling $16.7M. The deployer, known for real-time risk alerts, has connections to other significant scams, including Solfire's $4.8M scam and Kokomo Finance's $5.5M scam. Magnate Finance's protocol token MAG has experienced a 90% drop, highlighting the inherent risks in the decentralized finance sector.
PureFi Introduces SafeTransact to Enhance Web3 Security
PureFi has launched SafeTransact, a new security method that examines blockchain transactions and notifies users of any suspicious activities. The system is designed to integrate with AMLSafe, a multi-crypto wallet from the same ecosystem. SafeTransact aims to improve the security of Web3 transactions and address the potential hacking threats to blockchain networks.
Jay Z-Backed Ethereum App Platform Officially Opens Doors to Public
Blockchain startup Alchemy has recently announced that the blockchain developer platform was perfected and now open to any companies or individuals looking to build smart contract-based projects.
Crypto Addresses Holding At Least 100 Ethereum Hit 19-Month Low as 8.2% of Circulating ETH Locked in DeFi
New data by on-chain data provider Glassnode reveals that the number of crypto addresses holding more than 100 ETH has hit a 19-month low of 45,518.
bloXroute Raises $70M in Series B Funding to Speed up DeFi transactions
As a critical infrastructure provider for quick decentralized finance (DeFi) trades on Ethereum, Polygon, and Binance Smart Chain, bloXroute has raised $70 million in Series B funding to boost its quest of reducing latency on blockchain networks.
Former HKEX Executive: Will HkbitEX Issue Its First STO Project Next Year?
On a forum, the Chief Development Officer of HKbitEX said that she hoped the company would issue its first security token offering (STO) project in 2021.
Top Banks in South Korea Select CenterPrime And Chainlink To Bring FX Rates Data to DeFi
Top banks in South Korea have selected Chainlink and CenterPrime to bring a blockchain-enabled decentralized finance solution for foreign exchange rates.
Billionaire Entrepreneur Mark Cuban Invests in Polygon,Driving it to Surge by 12645% on a Year-to-Date Basis
Today, Mark Cuban, an American billionaire entrepreneur, officially supports the Polygon network-which drives Polygon's token MATIC to surge by 12645% on a year-to-date basis.
Ripple Swell 2020: Clear Regulations and CBDC Will Drive Cryptocurrency Adoption Forward
Financial leaders virtually discussed the regulatory framework for crypto assets and how crypto adoption could be driven forward.
Traditional Finances Reimagined: The Future of Digital Finance
Traditional financial institutions such as banks are no longer the only option. The financial services industry will be decentralized and digital in the future.
Russian Cybercriminals Sanctioned by DoJ for Crypto Laundering Scam Generating More than $16.8M
TheDoJ has sanctioned two Russian nationals for their cybercrimes, where millions in cryptocurrency were accumulated through scamming and phishing schemes.
Standard Chartered Becomes the First Bank to Join the Global Digital Finance Patron Board
Standard Chartered, the British multinational bank (MNB), announced recently that the corporation would be joining the crypto and digital finance industry membership body Global Digital Finance (GDF) Patron Board.
Thetanuts Finance Launches Stronghold Vaults With Organic Yield Generation & Risk Diversification
Thetanuts Finance, a structured DeFi platform that simplifies the process of options trading, today announced the launch of the Thetanuts Stronghold index vault, a new trading product that offers non-inflationary return opportunities, thoughtful risk management and a radically simpler user experience.
Babel Finance to Hire Restructuring Specialist Houlihan Lokey: Sources
Babel Finance has tapped restructuring specialist Houlihan Lokey to explore options for reworking its debt. The firm faces financial difficulties triggered by the current extreme market conditions.
How And Why Can Collateral Be Used For Financial Services?
As the cryptocurrency industry provides access to financial products such as loans, it is essential to understand the importance of collateral.
Maven 11 Launches $30m Loan Pool on Defi Lending Protocol Maple Finance
Defi lending protocol Maple Finance has launched a $30 million liquidity pool backed by Netherlands-based crypto-native investment firm Maven 11.
ECB Plans to Lead CBDC Exploration to Unleash Global Power of the Euro
Fabio Panetta, a member of the Executive Board of the ECB, stated in his address to the European Parliament that the ECB intends to remain at the forefront of discussions concerning the nature of money in a digital world, including the exploration of the desirability and feasibility of establishing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Binance Acquisition of CoinMarketCap for $400M Just a Stone’s Throw Away
Binance, one of the largest crypto exchanges globally, is reportedly ready to splash out nearly $400 million USD to attain CoinMarketCap, the most popular crypto data aggregator. It is alleged that the deal is in the final stages, and it is just a matter of time before it is revealed later this week.
Yearn.Finance (YFI) Loses Over 45% in a Week, Further Correction Expected
For the past few weeks, the DeFi market has seen major losses, including Yearn.finance’s YFI token, Uniswap’s token, SushiSwap’s token, and Curve’s token.
U.S. Financial Regulators Warn Crypto Firms to Tighten Stablecoin AML Risk Controls
U.S. regulators have issued a strict warning on money laundering risks associated with stablecoins and has warned providers to tighten AML protections and controls.
Cardano Working With SA Blockchain Alliance to Free African Enterprise from Politically Entrenched Legacy Banking Systems
The Cardano Foundation has partnered with the South African National Blockchain Alliance (SANBA) in a bid to expand blockchain adoption and bring financial inclusion to the country of 59 million.
Hong Kong Embraces Web3.0 and Advances as an International Crypto Hub, said Chief Executive
Li Ka-chung emphasized Hong Kong's potential in leveraging its strengths as an international financial center and driving the development of cutting-edge technologies, particularly in the realm of Web3.0.
What Is Apeswap.Finance? Complete Guide to New Decentralized Exchange
Apeswap offers new and exciting ways for DeFi users to create wealth as a vibrant ecosystem. The platform provides various services, including seamless payment solutions, lending, derivatives, staking, tokenized assets, alternative savings.
HSBC Prohibits Clients from Trading Bitcoin-Backed MicroStrategy Stock
HSBC has ramped up its anti-crypto policy, banning its clients from trading MicroStrategy stock as the banking institution deems it to be “a virtual currency product.”
Could DeFi’s Yield Farming Craze Hinder Ethereum 2.0’s Upcoming Launch?
According to a report by ConsenSys, high yields gained from DeFi protocols running on the Ethereum blockchain may be problematic for ETH 2.0 in the long run.
Gemini Co-Founder Winklevoss Thinks BTC Is Set For Its Next Bull Run, With the Fed's Money Printing
Co-founder and CEO of Gemini crypto exchange Tyler Winklevoss thinks that the US Federal Reserve’s economic stimulus strategy would positively impact Bitcoin and its pricing on the crypto market.
Indonesian Scholarly Body Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) Says Crypto as Commodity or Digital Asset is Haram
The Ulema Council (MUI) has spoken against the engagement with digital currencies for Muslims in Indonesia, saying the nascent asset class is haram.
"Buckle Up" For Bitcoin's Next Bull Run, Cameron Winklevoss Says
Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss believes that the next Bitcoin bull run coming up will be "dramatically different,” due to the innovative financial resources that crypto investors have access to nowadays and to the current economic infrastructure.
Cardano Addresses Fake ADA Giveaway Claims on YouTube
Cardano CEO Charles Hoskinson has once again come forward to address the issue of cryptocurrency scams targeting his ADA empire and has been quick to refute any associations phishers made with the Cardano Foundation.
Russian Finance Ministry Believes Crypto Should be Regulated not Banned
The Ministry of Finance in Russia believes that the ban on crypto-assets should be shelved. Proper regulations would provide both transparency and protection to citizens.
US Files Lawsuit to Recover Cryptocurrency Accounts Linked to North Korean Hacking Operation
The US Department of Justice has filed a suit against North Korean state-sponsored cyber hackers for allegedly perpetrating two major cryptocurrency heists.
$1 Million in USDT Refunded After DeFi Mistake
Tether CTO Paolo Ardoino announced last Friday, that a group of Chinese traders had mistakenly sent their funds to Swerve, a clone of Curve Finance.
The J’JO Investment Service Will Be Launched in Mid-May
A startup headquartered in Estonia is launching the J'JO Investment Service, which aims to provide ordinary users the opportunity to professionally invest in the cryptocurrency market.
Why Regulated Banks Have Greater Potential For Financial Crime Than Bitcoin and Crypto
While agencies focus their attention on transparent Bitcoin transactions, banks have had an official free pass disclaimer to facilitate money laundering the entire time.
Starknet v0.13.1 Launch: Embracing EIP-4844 for Lower Costs and Enhanced Stability
Starknet v0.13.1 upgrades Ethereum data storage costs, offers lower transaction fees, and improves stability and user experience, potentially boosting adoption and advancing Starknet's evolution.
Yearn Finance (YFI) DeFi Token Hits $38K, Smashing Bitcoin's Price Record with 3,500% Price Surge
Yearn.finance (YFI) surged to a new all-time high over the weekend, recording a market value north of $38,000 per token and beating Bitcoin’s record in 2017.
Wirex Moves on From Defunct Wirecard, Secures New Partnership with Railsbank
Crypto service provider Wirex has moved on from Wirecard,. The company has secured a new partnership with Railsbank
China Construction Bank Announces Updates of Blockchain Platform After $50B Transacted
One of China’s four largest banks, China Construction Bank (CCB) has officially released the second version of its blockchain platform for trade finance, reaching 360 billion yuan ($50 billion) in cumulative transaction volume. CCB announced the release of “BCTrade 2.0,” focusing on digitizing trade and financial services between 54 domestic and overseas CCB branches and 40 external organizations. Reported by Xinhua news, these organizations include state-owned banks and foreign banks.
Bitcoin Is Working Despite Broad Market Downturn, Says El Salvador FM
Alejandro Zelaya has defended El Salvador’s Bitcoin plan. According to the finance minister, the plan is working amid challenges posed by the market crash.
Stablecoin Reserves May Be Held in National Banks, US Treasury Office Provides Insight
The OCC announced that national banks and federal savings associations could hold reserves for customers with stablecoin assets.
Russia Updates Regulations on Crypto Transactions, Harsh Fines Reserved for Defaulters
Russia’s Ministry of Finance has issued an amendment to its current cryptocurrency regulations. The amendments also come with stricter sanctions.
Ripple Head of DeFi: "25% of Value in DeFi Will Run on Networks other than Ethereum by End of 2021"
Ethereum has surged and recorded a new all-time high, and many seem to attribute its success to DeFi’s ever-growing ecosystem.
AML BitCoin Lobbyist Abramoff to Pay $55K in Convicted Guilt Plea for ICO Fraud
In the civil case filed against Jack Abramoff for his role in the 2018 Initial Coin Offering (ICO) scandal, the AML BitCoin lobbyist is expected to pay $55, 000 in disgorgement and interest for his conspiracy in fraud.
Celsius Network Slashes 25% of its Workforce amid Potential Insolvency
Celsius Network’s woes continue to deepen because the crypto lending company has reduced its workforce by 150 employees, including those based in Israel.
Do I need to Buy One Whole Bitcoin? 3 BTC Questions I’m Tired of Answering
Why is Bitcoin worth anything? Am I too late to buy Bitcoin? It’s too expensive, do I need to buy a whole Bitcoin? 3 questions that hound crypto journalists at parties.
Crypto Hackers Steal Over $130M from Cream Finance DeFi Platform
This is the third major hack on the Cream Finance DeFi lending platform within this year. Tens of thousands of customers have been affected by the hack.
European Regulatory Blockchain Sandbox Welcomes Its First 20 Projects
On July 3rd, Europe's blockchain regulatory sandbox officially introduced its inaugural set of use cases. This milestone follows a period of eager anticipation in the industry, culminating from nearly 90 applications submitted back in April.
Ethereum’s All-Time High May Be Influenced by a Drop in ETH Gas Fees
On-chain metrics provider Santiment attributes the current ETH uptrend to a drop in Ethereum’s average fees.
UK Finance Launches Experimental Phase for Regulated Liability Network (RLN)
UK Finance is launching an experimental phase to explore the UK Regulated Liability Network's potential in payment-upon-delivery, homebuying process improvements, and digital bond settlement, aligning with Project Rosalind.
South Korean Advocates for Institutionalization of Cryptocurrencies via Bitcoin Derivatives
A South Korean commission dubbed the 4th Industrial Revolution Commission has proposed that the government ought to permit financial institutions to establish cryptocurrency-based products, such as Bitcoin derivatives as they will be instrumental in the long-term institutionalization of cryptocurrencies.
Coinbase CEO Armstrong and Tech Giant Apple Butt Heads over Crypto and dApps
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has voiced his disappointment over Apple’s lack of flexibility on decentralized applications (dApps) operating on its App store.
BTSE Offers Users the Chance to Collect Interest on Their Idle Crypto Holdings
BTSE, the UAE based digital exchange, has big plans for their ecosystem. They have recently launched the latest development in what they call their “comprehensive digital bank at the juxtaposition of crypto and fiat.”
Aave Freezes Stablecoin Trading Amid Price Volatility
Lending protocol Aave has temporarily halted trading of stablecoins and set the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio to zero due to the recent price volatility on USD Coin (USDC) following its depegging on March 11. Aave's decision was based on an analysis by decentralized finance risk management firm Gauntlet Network, which recommended a temporary pause of all v2 and v3 markets. The LTV ratio determines how much credit can be secured using crypto as collateral and is calculated by dividing the amount of credit borrowed by the value of the collateral.
Stablecoin Depeg Event Reveals Risks to DeFi and Traditional Finance
Recent failures of established financial institutions, such as Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, have highlighted the potential for distress to spread to the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. The depegging of stablecoins, including Circle's USD coin (USDC), has also brought governance risks related to the custody of reserve assets to the forefront. Moody's anticipates that regulators could increase their scrutiny of stablecoins and require greater counterparty diversification.
Ripple Outpaced Other Blockchain Companies on Inc's List of Fastest-Growing US Companies
Ripple has outpaced other indigenous blockchain companies on a recently published list of 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States.
Two Massachusetts Men Arrested And Charged To US Court For Supposed Social Media Frauds And Crypto Theft
Two Massachusetts men had been arrested and charged to court on account of stealing victims' social media accounts and cryptocurrency through swapping their sims, hacking their computers, and other nameless techniques.
Liquid Staking Protocol Lido Activates "Staking Rate Limit" After Record Inflows
Lido Finance, a liquid staking protocol for Ethereum, activated a "staking rate limit" after more than 150,000 ETH was staked in a single day. The mechanism aims to address any negative effects of high inflows, limiting the amount of staked Ether that can be minted within a 24-hour timeframe.
Solana-based Decentralized Exchange Slope Finance Raises $8M in Series A funding
Solana-community based decentralized exchange Slope Finance announced to complete the rasing of $8,000,000 in Series A funding, co-led by Solana Ventures and Jump Crypto.
BIS Advances Technology in Finance: Quantum, AI, and Green Initiatives for 2024
The Bank for International Settlements announces six innovative projects for 2024, focusing on quantum security, AI, and green finance, to enhance global financial system resilience.
ASX Delays Blockchain-Based CHESS Replacement to April 2023
The Australian Securities Exchange has delayed the blockchain replacement for its CHESS settlement system for financial products, until April 2023.
Japan’s Financial Services Agency Has Officially Chosen a New Commissioner, Himono
Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) confirmed its plans for hiring Ryozo Himono as the new commissioner of the financial watchdog group.
DBS Bank Joins R3-Backed Blockchain Trade Finance Network Contour Built on Corda
Singapore’s biggest bank, DBS Bank joined R3-backed Contour Network known for digitalizing global trade processes. Previously known as Project Voltron, Contour is a blockchain-based trade finance platform, built over R3’s Corda blockchain and was founded by R3 and major global institutions, including HSBC, ING, Standard Chartered, Citi Ventures, BNP Paribas, and Bangkok Bank, Bain & Company, and CryptoBLK. DBS Bank became the first Singaporean bank to join the network.
OKX Ventures Invests in Orbiter Finance's Decentralized Layer 2 Protocol
OKX Ventures invests in Orbiter Finance, a decentralized cross-Layer 2 protocol on Ethereum, aiming to redefine blockchain infrastructure and enhance decentralization.
European Commission Eyes Crypto Regulatory Framework with New Digital Finance Package
The European Commission (EC) has unveiled a digital finance package that highlights legislative proposals on crypto assets and digital resilience.
DeFi Platform DFX Finance Says it Has Been Hacked for $7.5M
The stablecoin platform DFX Finance is the latest victim of a $7.5 million hack
Ripple Donates $10M to Humanitarian Organization to Accelerate Financial Inclusion
Ripple has continued to be innovative in finding ways to deliver global financial inclusion amid a struggling COVID-19 economy.
JPMorgan, UBS, and Goldman Sachs Back Polkadot (DOT) with an ETP Investment
As institutional investors enter the cryptocurrency scene, investor appetite may not be limited to Bitcoin and Ethereum.
European Commission Blockchain Report: The 3 Key Takeaways
Since the inception of Bitcoin, much hype and public attention have followed the development of cryptocurrencies their value being dismissed by many while others have become hoarders of crypto. Away from the uncertainty of cryptocurrency future value, one aspect of the technology is now squarely in the limelight—the blockchain platform or distributed ledger technology that make the currencies possible.
India’s Government Plans to Bring Back Law to Ban Cryptocurrencies
A report revealed that the Finance Ministry is now inviting other ministries to have a discussion of its earlier draft on the crypto ban introduced a year ago.
Stablecoin Protocol Frax Finance Launches Lending Market Fraxlend
Algorithmic stablecoin protocol Frax Finance has launched its own lending marketplace Fraxlend, allowing users to lend and borrow tokens belonging to the Chainlink data feed without permission.
Alibaba’s Ant Group Set to be 2020’s Top IPOs in Hong Kong and Shanghai
Ant Financial, formerly known as Alipay and known renamed to ‘Ant Group’, has announced its intentions of launching an initial public offering (IPO) that would be featured both on the Shanghai Stock Exchanges' STAR board and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKEX/ SEHK).
Ripple Welcomes Former JPMorgan Chase Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer to its Board of Directors
Ripple has been expanding its network and recently, the blockchain firm has made yet another move to bring its company growth to another level.
Alibaba Founder and China's Richest Man Jack Ma: Digital Currency Could Redefine Money
Alibaba founder and China's richest Jack Ma says digital currency could redefine money and digital currency is the core of future finance.
HSBC Becomes the First Bank to Finance Transaction via Hyperledger
Multinational banking giant, HSBC has reportedly become the first bank to complete a financial transaction using the blockchain trade platform, we.trade based in Europe.
Ninety Eight Launches $25M Ecosystem Fund to Boost Web3 Startups in Asia
Ninety Eight, transitioning from Coin98 Finance, has launched a $25M Ecosystem Fund to support Web3 startups in Asia, leveraging the Viction blockchain and $C98 token.
South Korean Bank, KB Kookmin, Shares Blockchain Strategy
KB Kookmin, a major South Korean bank, is planning to adopt blockchain technology into its internal processes.
Why Bitcoin Should Make Up 5% of Your Investment Portfolio, According to Fidelity
Fidelity Digital Assets makes the case for why Bitcoin should make up 5% of a given multi-asset investment portfolio.
Credit Giant MasterCard Grants Wirex First Principal Membership License
Wirex has become the first native cryptocurrency platform to be granted a principal membership license from credit giant Mastercard as part of their accelerated expansion into digital assets.
Ethereum Crypto Crashes to $340 After SushiSwap’s Alleged Exit Scam
The price of Ethereum (ETH) crashed recently, dropping to a low of $315 over the weekend, after hitting an all-time high of $487 last Wednesday.
Vitalik Buterin Sceptical About DeFi Yield Farming, Compares It to US Federal Reserve Money Printing
Vitalik Buterin has criticized the yield farming craze observed from the DeFi sector, comparing it to the US Federal Reserve’s mass printing strategy.
Unveiling the Top 5 Surprising Views on Blockchain by AFF leaders
Blockchain, cryptocurrencies, fintech and virtual assets will be at the centre of many of the discussions and we have selected a few of the speakers that we are most intrigued by and some that our readers may not realize are important or outspoken in the blockchain and crypto space. We have purposely excluded the usual suspects—if you don’t know what PWC’s Henri Arslanian thinks about crypto by now, we really can’t help you.
Banking on Blockchain: ICBC Releases First-Ever White Paper on Blockchain for the Financial Sector
One of China's major banks, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has released its white paper on blockchain-based applications in the financial sector. The document is the first white paper related to blockchain technology in the financial industry. The paper also highlights the present challenges faced by the banking sector.
China’s Central Bank Official Urges the Acceleration of Digitization of the Chinese Economy with Blockchain
China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) Financial Technology Committee held its first meeting of the year this week, after months of delay due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fan Yifei, the PBoC’s deputy governor echoed President Xi Jinping’s call for the acceleration of the country’s blockchain development adoption. The president pointed out that it is necessary to strengthen fundamental research of blockchain technology and enhance innovation, enabling China to take a leading position in the blockchain field. The bank’s deputy governor met with the central bank’s officials as well as the heads of their affiliated financial institutions. Fan emphasized the importance of blockchain and financial technology (FinTech) industries and wanted to ensure China’s adoption plan would be laid out and implemented by 2021 to be in line with the deadline they have set out.
Global UAE Bank Building Blockchain Architecture for Federated and Sovereign Digital Identity
A global UAE bank is creating a federated and sovereign blockchain architecture for digital identity via HashCash Consultants, to propel its financial and banking operations and prepare for the future of finance.
Wiki Finance Expo Sydney 2023 Is Coming Soon!
The Wiki Finance Expo, Sydney 2023, is Australia's largest fintech event, attracting over 3,000 attendees from various sectors. Supported by 200 institutions, media, and companies, it promotes regulatory security of cryptocurrencies and FX at the Fullerton Hotel Sydney.
Metis Launches The First-Ever Community-Minted NFT
Blockchain company Metis has announced today a launch of the first-ever community-minted non-fungible token (NFT), called “Rebuilding the Tower of Babel.”
Understanding the Profound Impact of Stablecoins on Traditional Finance
Stablecoin is a compromise on absolute money issuance power and the adoption of disruptive blockchain technology. Stablecoin will have a profound impact on the infrastructure of future financial systems.
Crypto Trading in India Soared by 400% During COVID-19 Lockdown
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, India’s cryptocurrency trading industry has seen an increase of 400 percent over the last few months.
DeFi Growth Outlook for 2021: From $18.71B to $258.58B
According to data from DeFiLlama, the DeFi ecosystem, encompassing the top blockchain networks saw a massive growth surge from $18.71 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL) as of Jan 1, 2021, to $258.58 billion it is pegged at as of today.
What Is Chainlink?
The Chainlink network has made a name for itself by providing reliable tamper-proof data for complex smart contracts on any blockchain.
Japan’s Finance Minister Says No Plans to Lower Taxes for Cryptocurrencies Amid Call for Tax Rate Cut
Japan’s finance minister stated that there is no need to lower crypto tax rates.
SushiSwap (SUSHI) Token Price Surges Over 15% After Merger with Yearn.finance
SushiSwap’s SUSHI token has become the best performing asset in the past 24 hours, and the DeFi token has been able to climb nearly 60 percent in a week.
Signature Bank Launches New Digital Payments Technology Platform—Signet
In a press release disclosed with Blockchain.news, New York-based Signature Bank announces that it is planning to launch Signet, its digital payments platform, on the Fireblocks network.
Blockchain Finance Forum: Europe 2021
The Forum will count on 30+ expert speakers from well-known organisations like the European Commission, Swiss National Bank, European Banking Federation, the British Blockchain Association, European Blockchain Partnership, Deutsche Bank, Aviva and many more
Babel Finance Reaches Agreement on Modalities for Repayment of its Loans
Following the halt of its withdrawals amidst its inability to pay its creditors as the crypto market meltdown took a bearish turn in the past few days, Babel Finance has announced measures to ease off its immediate operational burdens.
DeFi Protocol Ref Finance Completes $4.8M Financing Led by Jump Crypto
NEAR's blockchain ecological DeFi project- Ref Finance announced the completion of $4.8 million financings led by Jump Crypto.
Euler Finance Suffers Flash Loan Attack, Loses Millions in Multiple Cryptocurrencies
Euler Finance, an Ethereum-based noncustodial lending protocol, suffered a flash loan attack on March 13, resulting in the loss of millions in Dai, USD Coin, staked Ether, and wrapped Bitcoin. The attacker stole nearly $196 million in multiple transactions, making it the largest hack of 2023. On-chain data indicates that the attack is related to a deflation attack that occurred one month ago, and the attacker used a multichain bridge to transfer funds from the Binance Smart Chain to Ethereum.
Margin Trading And Lending On The Crypto Market
In recent years, many of you who are interested in crypto, probably have noticed the continuous growth of the number of new exchange products that help earn from lending and margin trade.
Japanese Financial Giant SBI Group to Borrow from Bitcoin Holders at Annual Rate of 1%
SBI Group has rolled out a cryptocurrency rental service dubbed “VC TRADE LENDING” aimed at borrowing Bitcoin from customers in return for 1% annual interest.
Circle's 2024 USDC Economy Report Reveals Significant Growth in Stablecoin Adoption
Circle's 2024 report on the USDC economy highlights significant growth in stablecoin adoption and usage, with a 59% increase in USDC wallets and over $12 trillion settled in blockchain transactions since its inception.
Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce Signs a Blockchain Alliance Proposal to Foster Trade And Finance
Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce had signed a written proposal giving the Shanghai government departments and six financial companies an opportunity to establish an E-port area blockchain alliance with the sole aim of fostering international trade and financial services.
Goldman Sachs Explores Development of its Own Digital Token
Leading global investment bank Goldman Sachs is examining options of creating its own cryptocurrency. The bank has appointed Mathew McDermott as the worldwide head of digital assets to spearhead the realization of this dream.
What is Sushiswap (SUSHI) and Why it Enabled Uniswap’s Trading Volume to Surpass Coinbase
The decentralized finance (DeFi) industry has surpassed $9 billion in total value locked (TVL) recently resulting from the latest surge in popularity.
Digital Currency and the Financial Inclusion Drive: The Journey So Far
With the digital currency ecosystem running toe-to-toe with traditional finance, here is a brief look into the journey thus far on the industry's financial inclusion drive.
Bitcoin Mining in China Dropped before the Latest Crackdown
New research conducted by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) shows that Bitcoin mining in China has already nosediving even before the government started cracking the whip on crypto mining in May.
ASIFMA: Tokenized Securities Might Bridge the Current Mainstream Finance with the New Digital World
ASIFMA (the Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Associations) has availed a new white paper that reveals a roadmap for regulators and market participants on tokenized securities.
Crypto-financial Lender Babel Finance Secures $80m in Series B Funding, Valuated up to $2Bn
Hong Kong-based crypto-financial lender Babel Finance has raised $80 million in Series B funding at a valuation of $2 billion.
DeFi TVL Drops below $200Bn, Reflecting General Bearish Market Slump
The Total Value Locked (TVL) in DeFi platforms has slumped below $200 billion down from the $230 billion towards the end of April.
Investment Funds for 2020 | Index Funds Centralized Decentralized and the Blockchain
On the outset, this article has been written to put in perspective Index Funds as we know them, which new kind of Index Funds are developing with Cryptocurrencies (Digital Assets) and what developments are taking place in the Global Capital Markets with Blockchain developments.
Mainstream Adoption of DeFi and DLT Is Coming, It Will Replace Banks, Says US Currency Comptroller
The US acting Comptroller of the Currency disclosed that roles played by banks will soon change due to cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance (DeFi).
DeFi Market Recovers as Sushiswap (SUSHI) Migration Resulted in 225% More in Total Value Locked
Decentralized finance projects recently witnessed its tokens plummet, crashing up to 50%. The DeFi industry has slightly recovered, rebounding 19% today.
DeFi Projects Continue to Generate Huge Returns as a Decoupling from Bitcoin is Observed
DeFi projects continue to be lucrative, as their market cap has ballooned to $19.7B (+135% in the past month), according to on-chain data provider Santiment.
Will Crypto Assets Have a Future in Russia After All? State Duma Passes DFA Bill
The State Duma of Russia passed a law regarding digital financial assets (DFA) in the financial bill’s third reading, which determined the fate of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
US Federal Regulator Says Banks Can Offer Cryptocurrency Custody Services to Customers
The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has announced that states and national banks and federal savings associations can provide crypto custody services to customers.
Exclusive: Deloitte Blockchain Lab on the Three Areas of Collaborations with HKMA
We were delighted to interview Dr. Paul Sin, leader of the Deloitte Asia Pacific Blockchain Lab, who shared with us its development goals and the collaborations with HKMA across the Greater Bay Area and Europe.
Welcoming the Future of Finance with Blockchain
Blockchain is not limited to creating cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. In fact, it has the potential to entirely remodel every industry out there, including the financial institutions.
Google Finance Pushes Crypto Further into Mainstream with Bitcoin, ETH, LTC Tabs
Crypto prices may be falling but mainstream interest is certainly rising as Google Finance adds a dedicated "Crypto" tab to monitor Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash.
DeFi to Reach $20 Billion in Total Value Locked by the end of 2020
The decentralized finance (DeFi) industry recently reached over $15 billion in total value locked before dropping back to $14 billion in TVL.
The Nascent Primary Market of Security Token Offerings
Now that the ICO market bubble ebbed away security token offerings (STOs) have emerged, allowing investment in regulated securities recorded on a blockchain according to new research from the Oxford Faculty of Law
Crypto Lets Anyone Invest in Early-Stage Ventures Previously Only Meant for the Rich, says Bitcoin Analyst
Market analyst Lark Davis sees cryptocurrencies as game-changers as they enable anyone to participate in early-stage financial ventures previously only reserved for the rich.
Zipmex Files for Bankruptcy Protection, Seeking Moratoriums from Third Party Creditors
Singapore-based crypto trading platform Zipmex has filed a moratorium for seeking bankruptcy protection from the local court. Some of its core activities have been suspended.
Lido Launches Layer-2 Ethereum Staking And 150,000 LDO Tokens In Rewards
Lido is now live on layer-2 solutions, Arbitrum, and Optimism, and would allocate 150,000 LDO tokens in rewards per month from Oct 7 for wstETH across each network.
Crypto Popularity to Spur Growth in Blockchain-Powered Banking, Financial Services
The surging use of cryptocurrencies is expected to enhance the development of blockchain in the banking and financial services market, according to The Business Research Company.
Stablecoins Hit $20 Billion by Market Cap Milestone, More Investors Favouring Tether as Hedge
Stablecoins have made incredible crypto gains, achieving a milestone of $20 billion per market capitalization in September.
DeFi Tokens Surge as Bitcoin and Ethereum Hover Around Support Levels due to the Coinbase Effect
Following Coinbase’s announcement, AAVE, BNT, and SNT tokens all surged, rallying from 10% to 24%.
DeFi's Yearn.Finance Protocol Suffers $2.8 Million Flash Loan Attack
Yearn.Finance decentralized finance protocol suffered a $2.8 million loss after a flash loan attack, a scheme frequently seen in the fast-rising DeFi sector.
Islamic Development Bank to Create Blockchain Smart Credit Platform with Samsung's Blocko
The Islamic Research and Training Institute partnered with Samsung backed Blocko to develop a functional Credit Management System for Saudi Arabia.
Crypto Industry Continues to Experience Hacks and Exploits: Can Increased Security Measures Help?
Despite recent recoveries, $4bn was lost to hacks, fraud, and scams in 2022. Increased security measures, such as DeFi and multi-signature wallets, can help.
Binance CEO Warns Traditional Institutions Against Reducing Exposure to Crypto
Investors steadily recovering from 2022 backed CZ's long-term bet on crypto sceptics.
Sean Patrick Maloney's OECD Role Amidst Crypto Advisory Background
Sean Patrick Maloney, after serving in the U.S. House and on Coinbase's Advisory Council, faces scrutiny over potential conflicts in his OECD ambassador role, signaling a pivotal moment for crypto regulation.
Is Bitcoin Currently Overvalued? JPMorgan Foresees Selling Pressure Ahead
JPMorgan strategists acknowledged Bitcoin's latest bullish momentum on the market but said that the asset may face "modest headwind" in the near future.
Ethereum and DeFi Tokens Plummet Amid High Selling Pressure
Popular DeFi tokens, including Yearn.finance (YFI), and Uniswap (UNI) have also witnessed strong corrections in the past few days.
Tokenize the Future: What Tokenization Means For Financial Access
Thanks to advances in financial and blockchain technology, any tradeable asset can be digitally represented as a token and issued onto a blockchain creating greater access.
Central Banks Could Monopolize Commercial Banking Sector via CBDC, Says Federal Reserve
A new working paper from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia indicates that the development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) may create a fundamental shift in the way banks operate.
Will the Impact of Yearn Finance's yETH Vault on the DeFi Space Last Long?
Yearn.finance, a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol, has recently launched yETH vault, enabling the process of seeking the best returns for yield farmers
Sui Foundation Allocates Over $1M to 17 Emerging Projects
The Sui Foundation has earmarked over $1.05 million for 17 new projects aimed at bolstering the development and adoption of Sui. This initiative encompasses a wide range of sectors within the Sui ecosystem, including DeFi, gaming, and on-chain solutions, showcasing the foundation's dedication to fostering innovation and expanding the decentralized platform.
Stakeholders in the Crypto Ecosystem Want US Regulator to Increase Bank's Crypto Capabilities
Stakeholders including the Silvergate Bank have responded to the OCC call recommending the regulator to improve US bank’s crypto capabilities.
Bexplus Launches Up to 30% Interest Wallet, 100% Bonus Activity
With Bitcoin retake $19,000, the crypto market has gone wild. While the recovery of the global economy is stalled, the crypto market has seen large influxes of capital and investors. By the end of November, the total market capitalization of cryptocurrency has surpassed $500 billion.
Ethereum’s DeFi Trades Skyrocketed in Q3 2020, but Bitcoin Volume Declined
A quarterly report from eToro indicated that while DeFi sector was bullish in 2020’s third quarter (Q3), Bitcoin trades decreased in contrast.
Yearn.finance (YFI) Plunges Again Amid Sell-Off Pressure from Strong Drop in yVault Yields
Yearn.finance (YFI) has faced a steep correction lately and has been one of the worst performers in the top 100 cryptocurrencies.
Offshore Tax Invasion Continues to be Investigated by OECD
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) thinks that cryptocurrency might be the solution in preventing large scale tax evasion activities that are ongoing all over the world.
Singapore Aims at Becoming the World’s Main Business Hub for Crypto
Singapore is striving to establish itself as a global key hub for crypto business activities. The city state's head of the financial regulator said the best way to regulate crypto is "not to clamp down or ban these things".
Samsung Adds New Crypto Feature to Their Devices with “Stellar” Blockchain
Samsung device users can now securely store the private keys of their cryptocurrency wallet on their phone, with a recent add-on feature by the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF).
Euler Finance Hacker Returns Majority of Stolen Funds
The hacker behind the $196 million exploit on lending protocol Euler Finance has returned the majority of the stolen assets, including 51,000 ETH and 7,737 ETH, worth a total of over $101 million at the time of writing. The hacker still controls some of the stolen assets, and the hack is considered the largest DeFi hack of 2023.
Synthetix Secures $20M Investment from DWF Labs
Synthetix has secured a $20 million investment from Web3 investment and quantitative trading firm DWF Labs. The partnership will see DWF Labs tasked with increasing SNX token liquidity and market making across centralized and decentralized exchanges, with Synthetix’ perpetual futures integrated into DWF Labs’ trading business.
Primex Finance Introduces Beta 0.3.0 App With Deployments to Polygon Mumbai and zkEVM Testnets
Cross-chain prime brokerage protocol Primex Finance rolls out a major update to its application. Launching in two stages, Beta 0.3.0 introduces a variety of new features, as well as improvements and fixes of existing functionalities.
Kokomo Finance Accused of $4M Exit Scam
Kokomo Finance, an open-source and noncustodial lending protocol on Optimism, is suspected of an exit scam worth $4 million. The protocol allegedly plucked user funds via a smart contract loophole, causing the Kokomo Finance token to plummet 95% in value. Blockchain security firm CertiK alerted its followers to the situation, noting that Kokomo Finance removed all social media accounts following the incident.
Curve Finance Announces Refund Plan Following $62 Million Hack
Curve Finance plans to refund users after a $62M hack on July 30. 79% of funds have been recovered, and the TVL has dropped to a 2-year low of $2.83B.
Risk or Opportunity: Uniswap's UNI Rose by 133% and SushiSwap by 143% in the Past 12 Days
Uniswap's UNI token has surged by 133% in the past week, with SushiSwap rallying and recording its own increase of 143%.
Lido Finance Community Votes on Critical Governance Proposal
Lido Finance community members cast their votes on a pivotal governance proposal, shaping the future direction of the staking platform.
Crypto Hacks in Q1 2023
In Q1 2023, hackers accessed over $320 million through 139 incidents on BNB Chain and losses of $221 million on Ethereum. While significantly lower than Q1 and Q4 2022, the quarter saw hundreds of millions lost, with 60% due to the Euler Finance hack. However, funds were recovered through negotiations with hackers, a trend increasingly common in the industry.
Ondo Foundation Unveils ONDO Points and Token Unlock Plan
The Ondo Foundation introduces Ondo Points to enhance community engagement and proposes an unlock plan for ONDO tokens, advancing its mission in the DeFi space.
DLT Finance Receives BaFin Licenses to Launch Trading Platform for Digital Assets
The new platform is now offering a variety of digital asset services to institutional clients after receiving nine new trading licenses.
Starknet Foundation Establishes DeFi Committee to Boost Ecosystem
Starknet Foundation has launched a DeFi Committee to bolster its DeFi ecosystem. Chaired by six experts, the committee will strategize and implement an on-chain liquidity incentive program, marking a strategic move for Starknet in the DeFi space.
Secret Network Validator Smart Stake to Shut Down Nodes
Smart Stake will no longer provide validator services to the Secret Network in light of an internal leadership conflict and transparency concerns.
Why is Blockchain Technology Revolutionizing the Banking and Finance Market?
As technology continues to evolve year after year, it becomes glaring that it is gradually sweeping every productive sector in the world, more importantly, finance and banking. This is so because the sector is about the most sensitive in every economy. It’s got to be, right? Money is important and needed by everyone – one way or another.
Chinese City Tests Blockchain-Powered Cross-Border Financial Platform
Nanning, a Southern Chinese City, located in Guangxi Region, has experimented with a blockchain-enabled cross-border financial platform.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Explains Why Bitcoin is "The Best Internet Currency"
Bitcoin (BTC) and DeFi tokens have been all the rage lately, with crypto investors anticipating BTC’s next bull run and the DeFi industry booming in growth.
UK Tax Authority Updates Its Guidelines for Crypto Taxation
HMRC updates its guidelines for crypto – taxation, relating to both individuals and businesses. The new guidelines explicitly state that crypto-currencies are not considered as ‘money.’
DeFi Hacker Returns $5.4M to Euler Finance
A hacker who drained $197 million from Euler Finance returned 3,000 ETH ($5.4 million) to the deployer address, following a $1 million reward announcement by Euler Finance. The attacker used a multichain bridge to transfer funds from the BNB Chain to Ethereum and moved the stolen funds into Tornado Cash before returning the funds.
Curve Founder Proposes Venus Protocol Deployment on Ethereum Mainnet
Michael Egorov of Curve Finance proposes launching Venus Protocol on Ethereum Mainnet, incorporating Curve's stablecoin crvUSD and CRV as collaterals, with community support for growth.
Euler Finance Hacker Returns Stolen Funds
Euler Finance has recovered most of the funds stolen in a flash loan attack that drained millions of dollars from various tokens, including Dai and USDC. After negotiating with the hacker, Euler Finance convinced the individual to return the majority of the stolen funds, resulting in the recovery of 12 million DAI and 10,580 ETH. The crypto community has applauded Euler Finance's efforts to recover the funds and restore investor confidence.
Ethereum Dominates DeFi with 96% of Transactions, Buterin Discusses ETH Gas Fees
Ethereum has set the tone for the DeFi boom this year, and it has dominated particularly during the third quarter of 2020.
Solana (SOL) Surges by 230% on a Year-to-Date Basis to Hit a New High
Solana, which has faster transaction speed and lower fees than Ethereum, has been favored by Defi users to run applications. Recently, its native token SOL set a new all-time high of $37.10.
BETA, BOND, WTC, and XEM Added to Binance's Monitoring Tag List
Binance has expanded its Monitoring Tag list to include Beta Finance (BETA), BarnBridge (BOND), Waltonchain (WTC), and NEM (XEM) as of October 4, 2023. The Monitoring Tag serves as a risk indicator for tokens with elevated volatility and risk.
KyberSwap's Response to $48.8 Million Hack: Workforce Halved and Victim Reimbursement Plans
KyberSwap, after a $48.8M hack, has halved its workforce and launched a reimbursement plan for affected users, showcasing the resilience of DeFi.
Is Bitcoin Finally Decoupling from S&P 500? BTC Soars While Stocks Plunge
Bitcoin has been displaying bullish behavior lately, gaining about 2% in the past week and bringing the crypto closer to a psychological threshold of $12,000.
Goldman Sachs and Citigroup Perform the First Equity Swap on Blockchain
Traditional equity swaps have to be continuously updated for multiple variables. These include different interest rates, end-of-day market prices, and corporate actions like stock splits and dividend payments. Financial institutions need to hire many people to verify the process until the swap completion, which in some rare cases, could take months.
SEC’s Demand for Private Financial Information from Ripple Lead Executives in XRP Case – an “Inappropriate Overreach?”
The battle between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple over how XRP should be regulated continues to stretch on.
Nobel Laureate Prof Banerjee - Applying RCT to Financial Inclusion
Economists have long theorized on and sought to implement initiatives to increase financial inclusion. What are some of the policy initiatives developing countries should adopt to drive financial reform? What effect have initiatives had thus far in facilitating this financial transformation? Prof Banerjee will speak at the Asian Financial Forum on January 14th and explain his team's groundbreaking application of randomized control testing to inclusive finance.
Former FTX Executive Under Investigation for Potential Campaign Finance Violations
Ryan Salame, the former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets, is reportedly under investigation by U.S. authorities for potential violations of campaign finance law. Salame, along with his girlfriend Michelle Bond, who ran as a Republican candidate for New York’s 1st congressional district in 2022, are at the center of this investigation.
FinTech Remains as a High Priority Sector, Says Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam at the Asian Financial Forum 2020
The 13th Asian Financial Forum, taking place as a two-day event starting on Jan. 13, 2020, in Hong Kong, gathering the most influential leaders of the global financial, government, and business sectors, groundbreaking discussions on inclusiveness, innovation, and fintech.
AllianceBlock and Crunchbase Partner to Enhance Decentralized Business Data
AllianceBlock has partnered with Crunchbase to offer its business data to Data Tunnel users. The partnership will enable blockchain businesses and developers to create applications like default probability models, customer acquisition profiles, and untapped market maps using Crunchbase's investment, funding, and industry trends data. The AllianceBlock Data Tunnel is a public marketplace for standardized data that allows for the sharing and combination of information without intermediaries.
‘AML BitCoin’ Lobbyist Abramoff Pleads Guilty to ICO Fraud
AML BitCoin lobbyist Jack Abramoff has pleaded guilty to multiple accounts of fraud associated with the 2018 Initial Coin Offering (ICO) for AML BitCoin.
Analyst Believes Capital Flocks to Ethereum’s DeFi Sector
Market analyst Lark Davis noted that big money flow was piling in Ethereum’s decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, and that's bullish.
Babel Finance explores new restructuring opportunities with DeFi project
Babel Finance is considering a new restructuring opportunity that involves the creation of a new decentralized finance (DeFi) project called Hope. This project aims to generate revenue to repay debts owed to creditors, and will mint a new stablecoin using Bitcoin and Ether as collateral.
Beware Of Impostors: China Has Not Issued or Released A Date For Its Digital Currency
Owing to this, a statement released by the People's Bank of China on October 13, warned the general public to beware of such fake platforms and organizations as they are not related to the Bank of China.
Euler Finance Audited 10 Times Before $196 Million Attack
Euler Finance, an Ethereum-based lending protocol, underwent 10 audits from six different firms in two years before it suffered a $196 million flash loan attack. Despite this, the audits deemed the platform "nothing higher than low risk" with "no outstanding issues." The attack prompted Euler to launch a $1 million bounty for information leading to the hacker's arrest, only for them to move the funds through crypto mixer Tornado Cash.
Covid-19 and DeFi — TokenInsights Releases Q2 2020 Report on Decentralized Ecosystem
TokenInsights has released their Q2 2020 DeFi industry report to shed some light on the fast-moving Decentralized Finance (DeFi) ecosystem and how it withstood the onslaught of the COVID-19 market.
Top Executives Quit as Babel Finance Sees Financial Woes
Top employees are leaving Babel Finance as the firm has not reached an amicable solution to its accounting challenges. Meanwhile, thousands of customers are still unable to access their funds.
What Does the Japanese FinTech Landscape Look Like?
Tokyo, the capital of Japan has been ranked as one of the top 12 FinTech hubs in the world by Deloitte’s A tale of 44 cities: Connecting Global FinTech: Interim Hub Review 2017. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) created policy outlines to form the city with the vision of an unrivaled global financial center.
DeFi Hackers Mint $11.6M in Stablecoins
Blockchain security firm PeckShield identified a hack that allowed an attacker to mint over 1 quadrillion Yearn Tether and then swap it for other stablecoins worth $11.6M. The attacker also managed to transfer 1,000 ETH to the cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash. DeFi protocols Yearn.finance and Aave have confirmed that their current contracts and protocols were not affected by the exploit.
Solid Bull Run: Why Ethereum Is Up 50% in 10 Days
Ethereum faced a flash crash on August 1, where it plummeted by approximately $90 from $415 in 5 minutes.
Winklevoss Twins Brief David Portnoy on Bitcoin, BTC Talks Continue
American internet celebrity David Portnoy officially hosted the Winklevoss Twins at his house for a long-due conversation regarding Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrencies.
BaaS Market Expected to Hit $15.8B by 2026, Driven by High Immutability & Secure Decentralization
The global blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) sector is anticipated to reach $15.8 billion by 2026 from the current $2.31 billion.
Uniswap (UNI) Price Recovers From Recent Sell-Off While the Rest of the Crypto Market is Still in the Red
While the rest of the cryptocurrency market has been plunging, Uniswap’s UNI token has fallen in tandem with the rest of the market.
Blockchain Devices Market to Grow by $1.285 Billion by 2024
Recent research by MarketsandMarkets shows a CAGR of 42.5% for blockchain devices market by 2024. The study was filtered through their report, “Blockchain Devices Market by Type (Blockchain Smartphones, Crypto Hardware Wallets, Crypto ATMs, POS Devices, & Others), Connectivity (Wired & Wireless), Application (Personal & Corporate), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2024.”
John McAfee Indicted for Tax Evasion and for Fraudulently Promoting ICOs Through Twitter
The DOJ is charging John McAfee with tax evasion and failure to file tax returns, according to an unsealed indictment that was revealed yesterday.
It’s the Age of the Micro Investor and this is Good for Bitcoin – SkyBridge Capital Founder Scaramucci
Anthony Scaramucci believes that it is the age of retail traders, as they have triggered bull runs in stocks like GameStop and this is positive for Bitcoin.
Top Four South Korean Banks Announce Plans to Provide Cryptocurrency Custodial Services
Two of South Korea’s top banks have recently announced that they were looking into providing cryptocurrency custodial services to their clients.
Thailand Finance Ministry Eyes Blockchain Technology to Revamp Service Delivery
Uttama Savanayana, Thailand’s Finance Minister, has revealed that his ministry wants to use blockchain technology for system upgrades intended for optimal service delivery to citizens.
Yearn.finance Takes Pickle Finance Protocol Onboard to Enhance DeFi Rewards
Leading DeFi protocol Yearn.finance has absorbed Pickle Finance to create a structure that will leverage shared expertise, boost specialization, and minimize work duplication.
French Finance Minister Praises Blockchain, but Condemns Cryptocurrency
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has once again made his stance on crypto clear – he is critical of it and does not support it.
BNY Mellon Joins Marco Polo Trade Finance Consortium
The Bank of New York Mellon, which boasts nearly $2 trillion under management, is the 28th bank to join the Marco Polo trade finance consortium. And according to CoinDesk, the bank is quite eager to go “live:”
Pickle Finance DeFi Protocol Loses $19.7 Million In DAI Stablecoin in “Massive” Hack
Pickle Finance becomes the latest DeFi Protocol to suffer from hacking, losing almost $20 million in DAI stablecoin.
WEF: Blockchain Can Drive Sustainable Digital Finance for a Low-Carbon Economy
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has highlighted Blockchain as a driver of sustainable digital finance for a low-carbon economy
India’s Finance Minister Says Crypto Ban May not Happen and Government May Experiment with New Technologies
India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has revealed that the government is not intending to completely ban cryptocurrencies.
Frankfurt Main Finance: Establishing Trust Between Continental Networks
Frankfurt Main Finance is one of the founding members of the World Alliance of International Financial Centres (WAIFC). The mission of the Alliance is to establish transparent networks that facilitate cooperation and sharing of best practices for financial centres globally in the face of breakthrough technologies and rapid social change.