Cryptocurrencies

A cryptocurrency mining company's data center in Kazakhstan on Nov. 6: Such operations have fueled an "abnormal" rise in the country's energy demand.
Cryptocurrencies

Crypto influx from China pushes Kazakhstan toward nuclear power

Energy-rich nation, now the No. 2 currency miner, is suddenly thirsty for juice

24 November 2021
A Bitcoin sign in Bali, Indonesia, where a top Islamic body has told Muslims to steer clear of cryptocurrencies. 
Economy

Muslims cannot use crypto, Indonesia clerical council says

MUI cites uncertainty and potential for losses in its Islamic Law decree

18 November 2021
In their crackdown on cryptocurrency mining, Chinese authorities say they will prioritize the elimination of Bitcoin mining, in particular. 
Caixin

China sketches out next phase in crypto mining crackdown

Authorities focus on large miners, involvement of state-owned entities

17 November 2021
China has been testing its digital yuan, known as e-CNY, since 2019 and is preparing for a broader trial at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022.
Caixin

China to strengthen link between digital yuan and payment apps

PBOC head outlines plans to expand ecosystem of new currency

10 November 2021
This immersive art installation in Hong Kong, shown on Sept. 30, was converted into NFTs that were auctioned off by Sotheby's.
Business trends

Next stop for NFTs: Beijing Games and Washington regulators

2022 seen to pose even bigger opportunities and challenges for the digital asset

10 November 2021
Billboards in New York City's Times Square showcased different digital art featuring NFTs all week during the conference. (Photo by Jack Stone Truitt)
Technology

NFTs and their fans enjoy a coming-out party in Times Square

Buzzing NYC conference showcases rise of the blockchain-based phenomenon

6 November 2021
Bitkub has become Thailand's latest unicorn after a deal with SCB valued it at over $1 billion.
Finance

Thailand's oldest bank takes 51% stake in crypto exchange

SCB invests $535m as it revs up drive into fintech

5 November 2021
Bitcoin mining is an easy industry to decarbonize because the input is just electricity, and the output is data.
Opinion

Bitcoin mining is an easy industry to decarbonize

Cryptocurrency network does not need to be powered by fossil fuels

4 November 2021
China's crypto market has reached a stage of maturity where it needs regulatory clarity to attract more capital.
Opinion

China's self-defeating cryptocurrency ban is unnecessary

Beijing cannot be a blockchain champion while waging war on the thing that drives it

15 October 2021
Researchers found that the U.S. share of average monthly global hashrate -- the computational power used to mint new bitcoin and process transactions -- grew to 35.4% in August from 16.9% in April.
Cryptocurrencies

U.S. overtakes China in bitcoin mining after Beijing clampdown

Cambridge report shows Kazakhstan, Russia and Malaysia rising in rankings

13 October 2021
A night market in Laos: The country's central bank will study the possibility of issuing a digital currency.
Currencies

Laos enlists Japan startup for study on digital currency

ASEAN member is latest China-linked economy to seek new payment options

3 October 2021
The same relative anonymity that has led to the success of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is often also exploited by criminal organizations.
Cryptocurrencies

As China clamps down on crypto, Japan blind to personal transfers

Regulators struggle to keep up with crime in virtual game of cat and mouse

29 September 2021
China's central bank said it would crack down on cryptocurrency trading, banning overseas exchanges from providing services to mainland investors.
Cryptocurrencies

China declares all crypto transactions 'illegal' as digital yuan nears

Bitcoin falls by as much as 9% after Beijing's latest crackdown

25 September 2021
Faced with a shortage of gold and inflation, in 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon shocked the world by announcing the U.S. would suspend the exchange of gold for dollars.
Currencies

Currency adrift: 50 years after the Nixon shock

Floating exchange rate makes the global economy both more developed and more vulnerable

12 August 2021
Cayman Islands-domiciled Binance is trying to beef up compliance as oversight of the cryptocurrency sector increases.
Cryptocurrencies

Binance.US CEO Brian Brooks quits after just three months

Resignation of former regulator comes amid intense scrutiny of crypto exchange

7 August 2021
Cayman Islands-domiciled Binance is trying to beef up compliance as oversight of the cryptocurrency sector increases.
Cryptocurrencies

Crypto exchange Binance bows to pressure for physical headquarters

CEO Zhao vows to run 'most heavily regulated' cryptocurrency company in world

30 July 2021
An ethnic Tibetan woman in China's Sichuan Province carries components of cryptocurrency mining machines that were recently shut down. (Photo by Ding Gang, Caixin)
Caixin

In depth: the fall of China's last bitcoin mining haven

Government crackdown dooms nation's lucrative but energy-intensive sector

29 July 2021
Representation of Ethereum cryptocurrency: blockchain systems are often deployed alongside networks that employ tokens and digital currency.
Opinion

Cryptocurrency should be added to the US-Japan trade deal

Substantial economic equities are at stake for both sides

28 July 2021
Nearly 21 million personal digital-yuan wallets have been created so far.
Economy

China's digital yuan pilot tally reaches $5.3bn in six months

Central bank white paper notes plans for more trials but no rollout date

17 July 2021
Much of China's bitcoin mining capacity has shut down in response to tougher restrictions.
Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrency miners flee China as clampdown intensifies

G-20 finance chiefs warn against asset-linked 'stablecoins' without official oversight

13 July 2021
The Vietnamese central bank has been tasked with researching and developing a blockchain-based currency. (Source photos by Reuters)
Economy

Vietnam to pilot virtual currency as crypto thrives in gray zone

Central bank instructed to develop blockchain-based digital money

12 July 2021
The value of stablecoins is pegged to a reserve asset like the dollar or gold. They are attractive to investors because, in theory, their value is less volatile than bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Caixin

China warns stablecoins are a risk to global financial systems

Digital currencies tied to gold and dollar are used in crime, central bank says

9 July 2021
Bitcoin peaked at $64,289 in April but has recently traded below $30,000.
Cryptocurrencies

Asia crypto sector stays confident despite China regulatory curbs

Crackdown creates opportunity for better standards, some say

2 July 2021
A monitor at the headquarters of Upbit, South Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchange, in Seoul shows prices of various cryptocurrencies. (Photo by Sotaro Suzuki)
Cryptocurrencies

South Korea's 'kimchi coins' feel heat as crypto rules tighten

Cryptocurrency exchanges shed altcoins to prepare for stricter regulations

30 June 2021
An NFT is a unique digital asset, whose ownership and authenticity are tracked on a blockchain.
Caixin

NFT is not cryptocurrency, Ant Group says amid crackdown

Chinese giant says fungibility differentiates digital asset from altcoins

28 June 2021