Blockchain tech in the news
January, February & March 2021
The blockchain headlines below each link to the news article, report or download behind it. Items featured are from January, February and March of 2021 – first quarter 2021 – and are a collection of Asia’s blockchain news headlines primarily, but also including ‘wider world’ blockchain news as additional points of reference.
Startup News Asia’s first quarter 2021 blockchain news collections pull news from across 17 primary jurisdictions across South & Southeast Asia, and including Australia and New Zealand, with the aim of providing our readers with an at-a-glance overview of each location’s developments in blockchain and associated technologies. We gather news with a ‘wide angle’ view of blockchain tech, covering implementations rather than focusing on an industry.
Click through on any of the blockchain news headlines below and you’ll go directly to the free-to-read online article behind it – no middleman service, no interstitial ads, no time wasted.
We also produce quarterly startup news collections as downloads – PDF format via MagCloud – and to order for delivery in full-colour hardcopy, also via MagCloud.
And you can also get Asia’s tech news, daily
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- “Blockchain is transforming everything from payments transactions to how money is raised in the private market. Will the traditional banking industry embrace this technology or be replaced by it?” via CB Insights
- Download: Blockchain and distributed ledger technology items in the news – a brief 2-page snapshot of recent headlines and info items, hyperlinked and QR coded
- Revolution Populi: “…allowing other platforms to survive and thrive based on their merits or lack thereof, rather than having other people have total control over what is said on a platform.”
- ICYMI: Brave web browser integrates InterPlanetary File System decentralized peer-to-peer protocol, boosting access to information and side-stepping censors
- ICYMI: Brave web browser integrates InterPlanetary File System decentralized peer-to-peer protocol, boosting access to information and side-stepping censors
- ICYMI: UK National Health Service working with Hedera Hashgraph blockchain platform to monitor COVID-19 vaccine temperature while in cold storage
- ICYMI: A look at the World Food Programme’s Building Blocks pilot, testing blockchain technology in financial access and transactions for refugees
- Can blockchain help beat fake news?: “…the majority of individuals in developed economies will consume more false than true information by 2022.”
- ICYMI: Blockchain-based mortgage platform Figure closes $100M financing facility for its products from JPMorgan investment bank
- A brief look at decentralization focusing on social media, aiming to remove big tech from the equation
- ICYMI: LO3 Energy gains $11M Series B led by Shell energy giant with blockchain-based energy marketplace
- “Food fraud is a huge problem, costing up to $40 billion per year. Blockchain allows us to ensure our produce and products are legitimate, and safe.”
- Microsoft to launch public preview of Azure Active Directory verifiable credentials platform, digital wallet-like platform for identifiers – transcripts, diplomas, professional credentials
- EDGE196 Blockchain & Fintech Asia Competition applications close tomorrow, Jan 15th – virtual elevator pitch showcasing business ideas to experts, entrepreneurs and investors
- Video: Algorand Asia Accelerator Demo Day – the 10 blockchain-based projects that presented
- Australia: Au$6.9M allocated to Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources to explore feasibility of blockchain use, specifically in regulation
- ICYMI: Argo Blockchain inks MOU with blockchain and crypto firm DMG Blockchain Solutions to launch bitcoin mining pool completely powered by clean energy
- China: Blockchain-based Service Network, state-backed blockchain infrastructure firm, to offer financial auditing for Ethereum developers via Ernst & Young auditor partnership
- China: Hospital of Chengmai County in Hainan commences issuing invoices using blockchain-based invoice management platform
- Consensus, online event from CoinDesk, set for May 24-27, looking at all aspects of the evolution of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology
- So, what exactly are ‘stablecoins’? CB Insights takes a look
- An overview of how blockchain tech may help combat ongoing fraud in Southeast Asia’s Halal food industry
- India: Government-owned State Bank of India becomes the first Indian bank to join JPMorgan’s blockchain network, Liink, for cross-border payments
- India: Lobby groups Global Impact FinTech and Government Blockchain Association press for a light touch from gov’t on blockchain industry regulation
- India: National Strategy on Blockchain available to download in pdf format
- Japan: SBI Holdings reportedly partnering with Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group to launch blockchain-driven digital stock exchange, expected in spring 2022
- A look at why 2021 may be the year of Non-Fungible Tokens – NFTs – tokenized versions of assets like artwork, real estate or collectibles
- Singapore’s Zilliqa blockchain company launches $5M fund for ZILHive Incubator and ZILHive Ventures, looking at backing 15 firms building on its platform
- Singapore: dltledgers fintech firm completes Series A round, raising $7M with blockchain-based platform for trade and supply chain finance digitisation
- A brief intro to the 3 Singaporean blockchain startups selected for showcasing at the Algorand Asia Accelerator demo day on January 22nd
- Taiwan: ITM blockchain firm partnered by Microsoft and MediaTek to develop solution for country’s largest energy provider, recording solar power data from smart meters
- Thailand: Siam Commercial Bank VC arm, SCB 10X, launches $50M fund to invest in blockchain, digital asset and decentralized finance startups
- Vietnam: An intro to Kardiachain, blockchain firm allowing businesses to build transparent, secure applications, most recently helping HCMC Youth Union manage 10K members
- Japan: A look at the 9 startups showcased at the recent Startupbootcamp Scale Osaka Demo Day, working in edge AI applications, blockchain and more
- Download: Digital transformation and the rise of fintech – Blockchain, Bitcoin and digital finance 2021, from JP Morgan (pdf)
- India: Legislation coming to ‘prohibit all private cryptocurrencies in India’ but allow ‘for certain exceptions to promote the underlying technology of cryptocurrency and its uses’
- Non-Fungible Tokens 101: A Primer On NFTs For Brands And Business Professionals, from Forbes
- “In December 2020, Deadmau5 sold 6K collectables as NFTs with collective value estimated at $96,940. Grimes auctioned 10 NFTs for $6M, including unique images and short videos…”
- Download: DappRadar 2020 Dapp Industry Report – an overview of the year in decentralized finance and decentralized exchange apps
- ICYMI: Facebook-backed Diem, formerly Libra, clears regulatory hurdles to finally launch a dollar-backed stablecoin in Q1 2021
- Hong Kong: Hex Trust digital assets and blockchain firm raises $6M with focus on digital custodian services for banks, exchanges and corporates
- ICYMI: Kings of Leon to release new album as a non-fungible token on Yellowchain blockchain platform, with tokenized tickets, perks and exclusives
- Australia’s Webjet airline takes 51% rights stake in LockTrip blockchain startup, in part allowing customers to pay for bookings using the LOC token
- Australia: Au$6.9M allocated to Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources to explore feasibility of blockchain use, specifically in regulation
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