Ownership of crypto in Singapore dropped to 26% in 2024 from 30% in 2022, according to a recent survey. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Akira Kodaka)
Cryptocurrencies

Singapore's crypto ownership falls amid selloffs, regulatory chill: poll

Nearly half of nonowners and past owners cite regulatory concerns as a barrier

10 September 2024
All six ETFs, which made their market debuts in Hong Kong at the end of April, have posted negative returns as of the end of August. (Source photos by AP and Getty Images)
Market Spotlight

From Hong Kong to Singapore, crypto ETFs face chill

Market turbulence ahead of U.S. election weighs on digital asset funds

9 September 2024
Virtual assets and finance are not the only areas where blockchain applications require regulation.
Opinion

Blockchain needs tailored rules for applications beyond finance

Global companies are shifting the focus from cryptocurrency to other diverse uses

9 August 2024
The dollar dropped to a four-month low on Friday after a weaker-than-expected employment report for July raised expectations for a September rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
Economy

Dollar hits four-month low as weak U.S. jobs data boosts rate cut bets

Japanese yen strengthens to 146.42 against greenback at one point

3 August 2024
Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin 2024 event in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 27. 
U.S. elections 2024

Who in Silicon Valley is supporting Trump -- and why?

Backers concentrated in cryptocurrency community and defense tech sector

1 August 2024
SBI, one of Japan's biggest financial services group, will partner with Franklin Templeton, the world's seventh-largest asset manager. (Source photos by Nikkei)
Cryptocurrencies

Franklin Templeton and SBI team up to bring bitcoin ETFs to Japan

New joint venture will prepare for Japanese approval of cryptocurrency funds

26 July 2024
“Increased” numbers of suspicious transaction reports have been filed in Singapore involving digital tokens, according to a report from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Cryptocurrencies

Singapore flags crypto for 'higher risk' in money laundering

Enforcement agencies put financial sector on digital currency crimes alert

20 June 2024
The U.S. securities regulator approved the first bitcoin ETFs in January. Among them, an ETF managed by BlackRock has amassed bitcoins worth a total of $16.5 billion.
Cryptocurrencies

Japan's path to bitcoin-linked ETF trading pocked with obstacles

Tax policies, financial laws and regulators all stand in the way

30 May 2024
Hong Kong is the first place outside mainland China to use digital yuan services. (Photo by Kenji Kawase) 
Currencies

Hong Kong opens digital yuan wallets in a first for non-mainlanders

City's government supports People's Bank of China's effort to spread e-CNY

17 May 2024
Hong Kong is positioning itself as a hub for cryptocurrency trading, although regulators have stressed they "are not meant for every investor."
Cryptocurrencies

Hong Kong's first crypto ETFs go public in milestone for hub ambitions

Products to challenge U.S. counterparts as focus shifts to Chinese investor access

30 April 2024
Topp Jirayut Srupsrisopa said a listing of Bitkub Capital Group’s cryptocurrency exchange would create a proxy stock for Thailand’s digital services economy, in an April 19 interview with Nikkei. (Nikkei montage/Photo by Kenya Akama and Getty Images)
IPO

Thailand's Bitkub aims for ASEAN expansion with 2025 listing

Crypto exchange founder Topp hopes to create regional digital champion though IPO

26 April 2024
An advertisement for bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in Hong Kong. The city is on a mission to make itself a hub for trading the digital assets.
Cryptocurrencies

Hong Kong crypto hub takes shape with approvals, hiring

Binance-backed platform's former CEO has joined securities commission, sources say

25 April 2024
The reward for mining a new bitcoin is set to be cut in half in several days.
Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin 'halving' approaches, raising uncertainty

Money flows into cryptocurrency's ETFs, but some bearish on risk assets

18 April 2024
A woman stands at the counter of a Crypto HK office in Hong Kong in January. The city looks set to welcome bitcoin exchange-traded funds.
Cryptocurrencies

Chinese fund managers apply to launch Hong Kong's first bitcoin ETFs

City aims to boost appeal by expanding access to crypto assets

11 April 2024
The Singapore financial regulator’s announcement on Tuesday on tightened rules for crytocurrency providers came as the city-state continues to investigate the biggest money laundering case in its history.
Cryptocurrencies

Singapore tightens anti-money laundering rules for crypto players

Financial regulator MAS demands digital payment token services get licensed

2 April 2024
Binance CEO Richard Teng was in Bangkok to launch the company's new Thailand exchange with its partner Gulf Energy, an influential conglomerate. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca) 
Cryptocurrencies

Binance CEO touts 'compliance focused' culture after U.S. plea deal

Richard Teng says third-party monitor, shortlist for physical HQ are on the way

19 March 2024
Bitcoin's share of the entire crypto market currently sits at close to 54%. (Photo by Wataru Ito)
Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin market cap approaches silver with latest rally

SEC approval of ETFs and safe-haven demand among factors spurring rise

7 March 2024
Cryptocurrencies are drawing more interest from younger, affluent individuals.
Finance

Japan's Daiwa takes stake in Singapore cryptocurrency startup

Financial group weighs expanding digital asset-related offerings via Penguin

6 March 2024
OneDegree CEO and co-founder Alvin Kwock is looking to take his digital insurer far beyond Hong Kong. (Photo by Pak Yiu)
10 February 2024
Han Chang-joon, chief financial officer of the cryptocurrency startup Terraform, conceals his face upon arrival in Seoul on Feb. 6 after being extradited from Montenegro. (EPA/Yonhap/Jiji)
Cryptocurrencies

Associate of cryptocurrency fugitive Do Kwon extradited to South Korea

Former Terraform CFO under investigation for alleged fraud, Justice Ministry says

6 February 2024
North Korea-linked cryptocurrency hacks increased to 20 cases in 2023, according to blockchain company Chainalysis.
Cryptocurrencies

North Korean crypto hacks hit record in 2023, report says

But attackers made less money due to digital asset market downturn

25 January 2024
Bitcoin exchange traded funds were approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in early January.
Cryptocurrencies

Singapore and Thailand keep bitcoin ETFs at arm's length

Financial regulators dampen market expectations for crypto-linked funds

17 January 2024
Bangkok prohibits the use of cryptocurrency for payments, limiting exchanges to investment purposes.
Cryptocurrencies

Binance launches Thai crypto exchange, wading into crowded market

Competition set to heat up in country where 20% of people own digital currency

17 January 2024
Axie merch IRL. The Axie blockchain game triggered a play-to-earn NFT boom but was criticized as a pyramid scheme. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Business Spotlight

How Axie's loss changed the battle against North Korean crypto hackers

After FBI probe of biggest coin heist ever, can Vietnamese startup reinvent gaming?

29 December 2023