Cryptocurrencies

A Digital Yen would be another tool for the Japanese central bank to boost economic growth.
Opinion

Japanese banks should embrace a Digital Yen

A central bank-issued digital currency would boost their businesses

23 June 2020
At a meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing in May, members proposed a plan to create an East Asia digital currency based on a basket of Asian currencies.
Comment

China takes battle for cryptocurrency hegemony to new stage

Beijing backs private-sector-led East Asia digital money in challenge to US

14 June 2020
JR East's Suica card, and its accompanying app, are a popular contactless payment method in Japan. (Photo courtesy of JR East)
Cryptocurrencies

Japanese banks to link e-money with popular Suica transit card

JR East's large user base gives digital latecomers a potential edge

3 June 2020
An ice rink for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. (Photo courtesy of the International Olympic Committee)
Cryptocurrencies

China aims to launch digital yuan by 2022 Winter Olympics

Opening seen for Alipay and WeChat Pay rival as virus further dims cash's shine

27 May 2020
One of the world's largest institutional investors, Temasek's decision to join the Libra Association is a major boost for the Facebook-backed cryptocurrency.
Cryptocurrencies

Singapore's Temasek joins Facebook-backed Libra currency

State investment firm expected to help currency expand Asia footprint

15 May 2020
Demand for bitcoin is surging in emerging markets as the value of their own currencies continue to decline.
Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin shines in emerging markets plagued by falling currencies

From Bueno Aires to Beirut, investors embrace cryptocurrency as safe haven

15 May 2020
Some investors expect bitcoin to buck the inflation trends affecting global currencies during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin halving to boost its appeal as inflation hedge

Reduction of cryptocurrency's supply comes as central banks open money spigots

12 May 2020
Bitcoin has fallen sharply as equity markets have tumbled (Photo by Wataru Ito) 
Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin falls 30%, smashing 'haven' expectations

Holders reel as cryptocurrencies fall in tandem with other asset classes

13 March 2020
The Bank of Japan is under growing political pressure to speed up the digitization of the yen. (Photo by Kei Higuchi) 
Currencies

Japan's ruling party and BOJ squabble over digital yen

Ruling party lawmakers want to push forward, but central bank seeks more time

10 March 2020
Facebook's plan to create a virtual currency called Libra has prompted some emerging nations to consider developing their own.
Cryptocurrencies

Libra threat spurs small nations to create own digital currencies

Cambodia and Marshall Islands look to safeguard monetary sovereignty

16 February 2020
Euros on display at a central bank. The European Central Bank is one of the institutions exploring the idea of issuing its own digital currency.
Cryptocurrencies

Central bankers to forge ahead on digital currencies in April

Chiefs from Japan, Canada and Europe will meet and focus on cross-border transfers

6 February 2020
The Bank of England, pictured here, is launching a joint research group into digital currencies with European, Japanese and Canadian central banks.
Cryptocurrencies

Central banks in Japan and Europe explore digital currencies

Anxiety over Libra and digital yuan prompts joint research

22 January 2020
The Japanese company hopes to carve out a significant portion of the global quantum cryptography market, which is forecast to top $5 billion by 2025.
Technology

Toshiba to launch quantum cryptography services this year

Tamper-proof data encryption method targets financial and medical sectors

21 January 2020
The apparent gap between currency share and GDP share is not a new phenomenon.
Opinion

China's growth does not guarantee yuan’s outsize influence in markets

Fragmented world means currency will struggle to become truly liquid

10 January 2020
Bitcoin will undergo a "halving" in May that reduces payouts for mining -- performing the computations needed to circulate the cryptocurrency.
China tech

China's Bitmain looks to cut half its staff: reports

Maker of cryptocurrency mining hardware faces dip in demand due to lower payouts

8 January 2020
Cryptocurrencies are viewed with suspicion by some, but they also provide a way for honest savers to safeguard assets in a crisis. (Photo by Akira Takemura)
Iran tensions

Iran crisis triggers surge in cryptocurrencies

Migrant workers and investors turn to "digital gold" as financial conduit and safe haven

7 January 2020
The digital yuan will depend on blockchain technology to prevent fraud, and the continued development of blockchain demands advances in encryption. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Currencies

China's digital yuan takes shape with new encryption law

Beijing enhances control over tools crucial to developing blockchain

31 December 2019
European Central Bank policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau takes a cautious view of Libra. (Source photos by Reuters)
Interview

'We cannot sacrifice safety' for Libra: ECB's Villeroy

French central banker says Facebook must play by the rules with digital currency

4 December 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping appears intent on using the digital yuan to bolster the currency's presence globally
Currencies

Digital yuan nears launch as China sweats over Libra

Sovereign virtual coin lets Beijing bolster oversight and boost currency abroad

3 December 2019
Beijing is forging ahead with plans to develop a digital currency in a bid to secure financial sovereignty and enhance the global role of the yuan. (Nikkei montage/source photo by Reuters)
Cryptocurrencies

Beijing embraces cryptocurrency, but only its own

Expected 2020 launch to protect financial sovereignty, unlike 'fraud' bitcoin

21 November 2019
A blanket ban is more effective than regulation only if the ban creates sufficient deterrence.
Opinion

Governments should regulate, not entirely ban, cryptocurrencies

System of rules best way to deter money-laundering and support central banks

15 November 2019
Most of the 297 illegal fintech applications were from inside Indonesia, but several were hosted on servers outside the country.
Business trends

Indonesian finance body blocks 297 unregistered P2P lenders

Number of unlicensed platforms charging excessive interest rates is growing fast

1 November 2019
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has warned that China's threat to U.S. global financial leadership will grow if Washington blocks the social network's Libra cryptocurrency plan.
Cryptocurrencies

Zuckerberg warns of China threat if US blocks Libra

Facebook chief says American financial leadership and values are in jeopardy

24 October 2019
The number of cryptocurrency accounts in Japan topped 3 million in July, rising from 2.8 million in January.
Cryptocurrencies

Blockchain wins backing in Japan as Libra tips scales

Nomura and Daiwa pursue online rivals Rakuten and Monex in new digital race

3 October 2019
Blockchain is used to verify ownership of security tokens, which can be traded like stock and bonds.
Cryptocurrencies

Nomura and Daiwa join effort on blockchain-based fundraising

Security token offerings to debut in Japan starting next year

1 October 2019