Tag: finance

8 Crypto Giants vs Newcomers: The Southeast Asian Edge They Lack

8 Crypto Giants vs Newcomers: The Southeast Asian Edge They Lack

• Commentary

Let’s face it, the crypto space can sometimes be a Silicon Valley bubble. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana – I get it, they’re big deals. To claim that they’re really tackling the issues that impact all of us, globally. Or are they just picking issues that appeal to rich white people? I'd...

Beyond Hype: The Brutal Truth About Crypto's 'Old Guard' vs. Innovators

Beyond Hype: The Brutal Truth About Crypto's 'Old Guard' vs. Innovators

• Commentary

We all agree that the crypto landscape is a wild west, dangerous minefield. Promises of gold paved roads, world saving technology and an anarcho-capitalist paradise are equally carelessly bandied about. Let’s be honest – how much of it is really providing what’s promised. We are always told that your “safe...

NFT Casino Regulation: A Global Wild West or Necessary Evil?

NFT Casino Regulation: A Global Wild West or Necessary Evil?

• Commentary

NFT casinos are becoming increasingly popular, producing a mesmerizing mix of blockchain innovation and the ancient human desire to play games of chance. This combination can be a little nerve-wracking. This isn’t simply your grandpa’s rusty old slot machine adapted for an online casino site. It’s a completely different world,...

UK Crypto Race: Can Armstrong's Push Make It a Global Hub?

UK Crypto Race: Can Armstrong's Push Make It a Global Hub?

• Facts

The UK’s effort comes as part of a competition among countries to be the leading global crypto hub. Industry leaders, from Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong to the Ripple influence on the overall enterprise climate. The road is not without hurdles, which includes a complicated regulatory environment and competition from other...

Armstrong Urges UK to Accelerate Crypto Regulation Amidst Industry Concerns

Armstrong Urges UK to Accelerate Crypto Regulation Amidst Industry Concerns

• Regulation

On the other side of the Atlantic, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong wants it to be so competitive that it competes directly with the United States on the global crypto playing field. Armstrong and other industry leaders have cautioned that sluggish licensing procedures, funding obstacles, and ambiguous policies could compel UK-based...

The UK's Crypto Gamble - Will Regulation Stifle DeFi Innovation?

The UK's Crypto Gamble - Will Regulation Stifle DeFi Innovation?

• Commentary

The UK, which was at first cautious, is now running full tilt into a crypto regulatory framework. Yet, is this embrace one of a warm hug or a suffocating grip? Are we about to witness the unintended consequence of good intentions: the death of DeFi innovation on British soil?Chasing Stability,...

UK's FCA Proposes Stricter Rules for Cryptoasset Trading

UK's FCA Proposes Stricter Rules for Cryptoasset Trading

• Regulation

The creation of the Cryptoassets Taskforce and the FCA’s move to regulate cryptoasset trading are positive developments. The goal of this action is to meaningfully convene the private sector to invest in innovative growth industries. The FCA is now seeking industry views on these proposed cryptoasset regulations through a new...

UK Crypto Regulation: FCA's Tight Grip & Market Integration

UK Crypto Regulation: FCA's Tight Grip & Market Integration

• Facts

Across the pond, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is taking aggressive actions against the burgeoning crypto market. This decision marks the beginning of a new chapter of regulation for crypto companies as well as investors. These changes aim to strike the right balance between promoting innovation and protecting consumers....

Trump's Crypto Loophole: Is Senate's GENIUS Act a Win for Artists?

Trump's Crypto Loophole: Is Senate's GENIUS Act a Win for Artists?

• Commentary

The Senate's GENIUS Act. Sounds impressive, right? "Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins." But beneath the shiny acronym lies a nagging question: Whose innovation are we really guiding? And perhaps most importantly, are we doing so at the expense of a whole generation of artists?Let's be blunt: the...

GENIUS Act: Senate Crypto Bill Ignored Trump's Millions. What's Next?

GENIUS Act: Senate Crypto Bill Ignored Trump's Millions. What's Next?

• Commentary

This month’s transportation funding in the Senate passage of the GENIUS Act to regulate stablecoins. Sounds responsible, right? Dig a little deeper. Sixty-eight senators, including some Democrats, gave the thumbs up, but the elephant in the room is glaringly obvious: Donald Trump's crypto dealings. Billions of dollars flow into his...

Japan's "New Capitalism 2025" Plan Signals Regulatory Embrace of Bitcoin and Web3

Japan is strategically positioning itself as a global leader in digital innovation with its updated "New Capitalism 2025" plan, released on April 13. Taken together, this plan represents a major regulatory turning point event toward welcoming Bitcoin and Web3 technologies. The initiative aims to leverage digital assets to solve social...

Japan's Bitcoin Revolution: A Boon for Artists and Web3 Creators?

Is Japan on the verge of accidentally unleashing a tsunami of creative destruction and financial liberation onto the rest of the emerging markets? I know this seems like a tall order, but hear me out. Japan’s regulatory change to officially recognize Bitcoin as a financial product. This step is a...

5 Ways This Crypto Bill Empowers Southeast Asian Artists, Not Wall Street

Let’s be honest, when you hear about crypto regulation, your first thought probably isn't Southeast Asian artists finding new avenues for creative expression. Surely visions of Wall Street honchos and inscrutable derivatives dance in your head. Well, what if I told you that the Senate’s Banking Committee just released their...

Trump Jr. at KBW2025: Web3's Mainstream Moment?

Donald Trump Jr.’s scheduled keynote address at KBW2025 is raising eyebrows and inspiring intense discussion across the Web3 ecosystem. He’s just a high-profile guy shaking things up in the crypto world. His presence further exemplifies the increasing importance of blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionize the traditional economy. Does...

Trump Jr. at KBW2025: Web3's Punk Rock Moment or Sellout?

Or I think about Nandar, a wonderful Burmese artist that I met in Yangon, sharing with me her latest NFT collection. Each work exploded with vivid imagery, bravely fighting back against the junta’s repressive hold. She began selling them directly to supporters around the world, allowing her to cleverly sidestep...

KBW2025: Is Trump Jr. Web3's Trojan Horse or its Savior?

Donald Trump Jr. at Korea Blockchain Week? It's a head-scratcher, isn't it? About as easy as locating a MAGA hat at a Burning Man soirée. Before we put this down as just another short-lived publicity stunt, let’s take a closer look at what this could IoTally Web3 means. Cynical ploy...

Immutable's Gamble: Will Gas-Free Trading Save Web3 Gaming?

Yet the hype around Web3 gaming is real, offering gamers true digital ownership and player-driven economies. Let’s get real: that promise usually meets a very different fate. High gas fees and a clunky user experience can quickly derail those intentions. Immutable is taking a big bet with its zkEVM and...

Civitas' Immutable Leap: A Win for Emerging Artists in Web3?

I think back to visiting a small art collective in Yangon just a few years ago. It was a time when the energy was electric, the talent readily evident, but the artists themselves were suffering. They were making amazing digital art and wanted to access the global NFT market. Those...