Category: China

  • HSBC Closes 2 Branches Following New Protests in Hong Kong

    HSBC Closes 2 Branches Following New Protests in Hong Kong

    HSBC had two of its Hong Kong branches closed on Jan. 2, the first working day of the year, following attacks by protesters during the latest anti-government demonstrations on New Year’s Day. The banking giant also closed seven indoor ATM clusters and announced on Friday it will suspend overnight services at 19 other ATM locations…

  • BTC’s Hashrate Touches 120 Exahash, But the Price Has Not Followed

    BTC’s Hashrate Touches 120 Exahash, But the Price Has Not Followed

    On January 1, the BTC network hashrate touched an all-time high at close to 120 exahash per second (EH/s). Despite the crypto market lull and lower BTC prices, the 2020 milestone happened just before the blockchain’s 11th anniversary. BTC’s curious jump in hashrate has the cryptosphere wondering whether or not the price truly follows hashpower.…

  • Regulatory Roundup: China Blockchain ETF, France New Crypto Rules, Tokens Like Money in Russia

    In this roundup, we cover Russia’s supreme court recognizing tokens as assets like money and property, France’s new crypto regulatory framework, and several industry developments in China, including a blockchain ETF filing. We also cover Japan’s world conference for decentralized financial governance, Uzbekistan’s crypto ban, and four countries’ central bank digital currency updates. Also read:…

  • Authorities in Sichuan Go After Miners to Save Electricity in the Dry Season

    Regional authorities in the province of Sichuan are reportedly pressuring bitcoin miners to scale down operations amid electricity shortages during the dry season in Southwest China. A meeting has been scheduled with regulators, the state run grid operator and mining companies. Two hydropower stations have been fined already for powering bitcoin farms without authorization. Also…

  • Shenzhen Stock Exchange Launches Index of Top 50 Blockchain Public Companies

    Shenzhen Stock Exchange Launches Index of Top 50 Blockchain Public Companies

    The Shenzhen Stock Exchange has launched a blockchain index comprising 50 of the largest publicly listed companies with blockchain ventures by market capitalization. Blockchain-related stocks in China have been gaining value since President Xi Jinping openly advocated for the technology. Also read: Regulatory Roundup – New US Crypto Bill, France’s 1st Approved ICO, Muslim Crypto…

  • Chinese Police Seize Thousands of Miners, Arrest Dozens of Scammers

    Chinese Police Seize Thousands of Miners, Arrest Dozens of Scammers

    In the last couple of days, Chinese media have reported on police forces in one province of the vast Asian country seizing close to 7,000 mining rigs using stolen electricity and in another province arresting 72 multi-level marketing scheme operators for alleged fraud. Also Read: Chinese Regulators Question 8 Crypto Companies in Shenzhen Police Seize…

  • Regulatory Roundup: New US Crypto Bill, France’s 1st Approved ICO, Muslim Crypto

    Regulatory Roundup: New US Crypto Bill, France’s 1st Approved ICO, Muslim Crypto

    In this roundup, we cover a wide range of regulatory developments in the crypto space. Much has transpired in the U.S., including a new crypto bill, SEC’s proposal, lawmakers seeking answers from the IRS, and the state of Michigan signing several crypto bills into law. We also cover France’s first-approved initial coin offering, a proposal…

  • PBOC Official: China’s Digital Yuan Won’t Be a Speculative Currency Like Bitcoin

    PBOC Official: China’s Digital Yuan Won’t Be a Speculative Currency Like Bitcoin

    According to recent statements by People’s Bank of China (PBOC) official Mu Changchun, the country’s digital yuan is ready for trials. The central bank digital currency (CBDC) will decidedly not be a speculative asset like bitcoin or stablecoins, and will not need a currency basket for backing, Changchun affirmed. Reactions to the announcement are varied,…

  • Bybit CEO Ben Zhou on Crypto Derivatives and Market Predictions for 2020

    Bybit CEO Ben Zhou on Crypto Derivatives and Market Predictions for 2020

    12 months ago, crypto derivatives platform Bybit officially launched. The Singapore exchange, which also has offices in Hong Kong and Taiwan, has enjoyed a fruitful first year, attracting users from North America, Europe, Russia and Asia. With products including BTC, ETH, XRP and EOS perpetual contracts, and a matching engine capable of handling 100,000 tps,…

  • Chinese Regulators Question 8 Crypto Companies in Shenzhen

    Chinese Regulators Question 8 Crypto Companies in Shenzhen

    Authorities in Shenzhen have started pressuring crypto businesses operating in China’s tech capital. Eight companies, two suspected operators of trading platforms, and six entities allegedly associated with coin offerings, have been placed under inquiry, Chinese media revealed, with authorities reportedly questioning their representatives at a meeting hosted by Shenzhen Financial Regulatory Bureau. Also read: Crypto…