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What Crypto insiders are reading on Asia.

Yesterday, we released our 2019 In-House Predictions on Crypto in China, US and the rest of Asia, sharing our thoughts from a global lens on what’s going to happen to the crypto around the world.

We highlight the realities of a China digital currency, outlook on the largest exchanges and US projects, the important cities you shouldn’t miss in 2019, and more. Be sure to check it out and share with your friends.Share with Friends

Top News in Asia from this Week

Do you recall repeatedly seeing articles about China’s crypto rankings? Well, apparently, it doesn’t appear to be coming from the regulators themselves, but a private consulting entity under China’s MIIT. According to a Vechain101 article, the author directly contacted the CCID and learned that China’s CCID Ranking Report is actually a private, and biased ranking that we should not rely on.

After ETC 51% attack, Ethereum Miner Linzhi Calls Out Project Coders for Proposed ASIC Ban:http://bit.ly/2Rf2he1

Japan’s financial regulator is considering allowing Bitcoin ETFs, an anonymous source told Bloomberg: http://bit.ly/2Fhy5rA

State of Blockchain in South Korea?—?a comprehensive report by OneAlpha.http://bit.ly/2RgN50b

Beijing-based bitcoin mining giant Bitmain was reportedly monitoring its employees at work via a self-developed app before its much-publicized layoff: http://bit.ly/2FjeMOw

The team at RelayNode has started a new newsletteron the latest crypto event happenings in Hong Kong and Singapore under Jason Choi. Be sure to check it out before you make your travel plans to Asia.

Most Clicked on From Last Newsletter

EOS is a DAO. http://bit.ly/2C0OGMZ

Alibaba predicts 10 tech trends for 2019 including faster deployment of blockchain applications and specialized AI chips: http://bit.ly/2C513ro

Funding news

Lightspeed China partners raises $560m to invest in China tech companies; http://bit.ly/2C2T3r5

Exchange News

Binance adds stablecoin pairs- PAX/TUSD, USDC/TUSD and USDC/PAX Trading Pairs.http://bit.ly/2RgOhAH

Regulation News 

Five cryptocurrency exchanges join the Japan Virtual Currency Exchange Association to protect investors in the industry: http://bit.ly/2FiOAUs

Business News

Blockchain Water Purifier? New China Mobile Appliance Earns You Tokens.http://bit.ly/2RcFlMy

China’s analysts say cryptos may not make a big comeback in 2019: http://bit.ly/2Fm2JQu

Hong Kong investors claim they lost HK$3 million in venture of cryptocurrency promoter thought to be behind ‘money falling from sky’ stunt’: http://bit.ly/2FizCO3

Four cryptocurrency hotspots that saw tremendous growth in 2018- Malta, Japan, Korea andHong Kong: http://bit.ly/2FiPuA

Police in Harbin, capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, has arrested five men suspected of stealing electricity worth over about $0.15 million to mine cryptocurrencies:http://bit.ly/2FfU2Ye

China and Others

China Internet watchdog launches crackdown on harmful information. http://bit.ly/2Re1zhg

How Is the definition of money changing in Asia?: http://bit.ly/2FiEtPo

January/February 2019?—?MIT Technology Review?—?The China Issue

From Peppa Pig to giant babies, these memes took over China’s internet in 2018.http://bit.ly/2RflCMd

DON’T MISS IT

If you happen to be at Binance blockchain week, use the code “MissBitcoin” 4 discounted tickets, courtesy of Miss Bitcoin Mai. You will have $49 off when they register atwww.binancefair.com/registration

Our Podcast is Out! with Alex Shin, Co-Founder?and Partner at Hashed

Hashed is a Korean blockchain project accelerator and also the largest pure play crypto investment fund in Korea. Alex Shin is a cofounder and partner of the fund. Founded in 2017, Hashed has shaped the Korean blockchain industry through its unique approach to finding and nurturing nascent projects. It has helped accelerated projects such as Terra and ICON.

When I spoke to Alex, I found him to be extremely skillful at bridge building between east and west, and he along with his partners are committed to put Korea on the global crypto map. In this upcoming podcast episode, we discuss Hashed and its investments, Alex’s view on crypto markets now, and Korea’s crypto regulator and the conglomerate participants there.