Cryptocurrencies

Japan's taxation of cryptocurrency holdings is unusual compared to other countries.
Cryptocurrencies

Japan weighs ending tax on some corporate crypto holdings

Move aims to stem flow of startups choosing Singapore, Dubai over Tokyo

6 December 2023
Binance launched in Thailand in November, gaining its first foothold in Southeast Asia.
Cryptocurrencies

Philippines moves to block embattled crypto giant Binance

Follows exchange chief resigning in wake of U.S. money-laundering case

29 November 2023
SBI Holdings' businesses include banking, online securities trading and crypto assets. (Photo by Tokuyuki Matsubuchi)
Cryptocurrencies

USDC stablecoin to make Japan debut in SBI tie-up

Move follows law paving the way for legal-tender-backed digital coins

28 November 2023
Singapore is putting in place measures to protect cryptocurrency retail investors.
Cryptocurrencies

Singapore to enforce more crypto rules to protect retail investors

Central bank to ban incentives for customers and limit credit card purchases

23 November 2023
Binance partner Gulf Energy Development says it has received approval from Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission to begin operations. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and screenshot from Gulf Group's website)
Cryptocurrencies

Binance launches Thailand digital asset exchange with Gulf Energy

Crypto giant wins Southeast Asia greenlight amid U.S. legal woes

16 November 2023
Standard Chartered's new blockchain unit Libeara is partnering with fund platform solutions player FundBridge Capital to create the first tokenized Singapore-Dollar Government Bond Fund for professional investors.
Finance

StanChart launches blockchain unit, eyes Singapore bond fund

Bank's wholly-owned 'Libeara' platform comes on heels of Asian crypto push

14 November 2023
Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission is allowing regulated intermediaries to issue tokenized securities -- "blockchain-based tokens that represent or aim to represent ownership in an investment product." 
Cryptocurrencies

Hong Kong greenlights tokenized securities in further digital push

Regulators demand is there for blockchain-based trading of real-world assets

2 November 2023
A sign at a shopping mall in Shanghai indicates payments can be made in digital yuan.
Currencies

China's digital yuan struggle underscores challenges for central banks

Cambodia's Bakong overcomes initial barriers through private-sector cooperation

26 October 2023
A Standard Chartered branch in Singapore. The bank's venture into crypto reflects a trend of brand-name traditional finance houses muscling into the space.
Cryptocurrencies

StanChart muscles into Asian crypto space as established banking player

Bank's Zodia unit to face off against Binance in Singapore and Japan

17 October 2023
Hong Kong's ambitions to become a crypto hub are attracting interest from mainland China, where retail cryptocurrency trading is banned.
Cryptocurrencies

Two brokers with mainland ties apply for Hong Kong crypto licenses

Others wait for more clarity on city's rules before proceeding

16 October 2023
CFTC Commissioner Caroline Pham: "I would like to see how we can create a U.S. regulatory sandbox to launch pilot programs." (Photo by Natsumi Kawasaki)
Cryptocurrencies

U.S. CFTC commissioner calls for digital innovation 'sandbox'

Derivatives chief wants to speed up discussion on cryptocurrency regulation

12 October 2023
Digital currencies, backed by deposits, can be instantly sent and settled using blockchain technology. (Nikkei montage)
Cryptocurrencies

Japanese bank GMO Aozora to debut digital currency next year

Blockchain-based money to be used for trading of renewable energy certificates

12 October 2023
Investors Whampoa Group and Saison Capital see promise in the tech sector as global crypto trading volumes improve. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Whampoa Group and Saison Capital's website)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore-based Whampoa, Saison Capital ramp up Web3 focus

Investors keen to place tech bets as crypto trading shows renewed promise

4 October 2023
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commissions has accused crypto platform JPEX of suspicious practices and misleading promotions.
Cryptocurrencies

JPEX investigation to test Hong Kong's crypto approach

Suspected $180m fraud leaves questions over enforcement and oversight

27 September 2023
Binance is among the players looking at Japan's fledgling stablecoin market.
Cryptocurrencies

Orix Bank, Binance eye stablecoin offerings in Japan

Currency-linked tokens hold promise for slashing business transaction costs

26 September 2023
ZA Bank Alternate CEO Devon Sin, left, and CEO Ronald Iu are helping Hong Kong with its goal of becoming a cryptocurrency and blockchain hub.
Cryptocurrencies

Hong Kong virtual bank ZA bets on city's blockchain goals

Company offers Web3 firms hard-to-get financial services

21 September 2023
Hong Kong's financial regulators warned investors about JPEX, a cryptocurrency trading platform, over alleged fraudulent activity last week.
Cryptocurrencies

Six arrested in Hong Kong in JPEX crypto fraud investigation

Police say at least $128m in virtual assets and 1,400 users likely involved

18 September 2023
Three Arrows Capital ran into difficulty after cryptocurrency prices plunged in 2022.
Cryptocurrencies

Singapore bans founders of Three Arrows crypto hedge fund

Zhu Su and Kyle Davis barred from capital market participation for nine years

14 September 2023
Two of Japan's megabanks will work together implementing a digital currency platform that could debut next year.
Cryptocurrencies

Japan's megabank Mizuho joins MUFG's stablecoin platform

Digital platform to be launched next year promises lower trade finance costs

5 September 2023
New rules governing stablecoins highlight Singapore's efforts to improve regulatory oversight while spurring innovation in the Asian financial hub.
Cryptocurrencies

Singapore to label regulated stablecoins in transparency push

Issuers must meet criteria on value stability, minimum capital, others

15 August 2023
People check their phones in Phnom Penh. Cambodia's central bank digital currency seeing growing use for cross-border transactions.
Cryptocurrencies

Japan blockchain startup seeks to build Asian digital payment network

System would link Japan, India, China and Southeast Asia using Cambodia's digital currency

8 August 2023
Hong Kong is allowing cryptocurrency exchanges to offer trading services to retail investors. (Source photos by Getty)
Cryptocurrencies

Hong Kong approves first retail cryptocurrency exchanges

The exchanges widen clientele as city positions itself as a crypto hub

4 August 2023
Binance will require users in Japan to open accounts on its new Japanese exchange.
Cryptocurrencies

Binance Japan launches crypto services with 34 virtual currencies

Trading platform pivots toward acquiring licenses to comply with regulators

2 August 2023
The U.N. and others say stealing cryptocurrencies is North Korea's latest international criminal enterprise to support the hermit regime and facilitate its arms programs.  (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Cryptocurrencies

South Korea asks cyber firms for advice on North's crypto crimes

Pyongyang known for flashing sharp computer skills to boost weapons program

20 July 2023
Bitkub Capital Group CEO Topp Jirayut Srupsrisopa, right, announces a partnership with Asphere Chairman Pramoth Sudjitporn, center, in July. (Photo by Francesca Regalado)
Cryptocurrencies

Thai crypto exchange Bitkub looks to gaming to build market

CEO Topp says Bitkub wants to give Thailand a chance as its future IPO site

18 July 2023