Asia’s weekly crypto news digest

As Asia continues to be a dominant force in the global cryptocurrency market, this week’s developments across the continent have been both groundbreaking and indicative of the dynamic nature of the crypto industry. From regulatory changes in Japan to innovative measures in South Korea, and significant movements in Hong Kong and China, the region is bustling with activity that could shape the future of finance and technology. Here’s a comprehensive dive into the latest happenings.

Japan Embraces Crypto with Open Arms

On February 16th, Japan made a significant leap towards fostering innovation within the cryptocurrency and Web3 sectors. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry announced a pivotal decision by the Japanese Cabinet to include cryptocurrencies in the asset classes that local investment limited partnership companies can engage with. This move is set to dramatically lower the hurdles for venture capital firms in Japan, allowing them direct investment opportunities in purely virtual currency projects, a possibility that was previously off-limits. The policy revision aims at boosting the growth and global competitiveness of Japan’s burgeoning Web3 and crypto enterprises.

South Korea’s Crypto-Friendly Political Promises and Tax Innovations

South Korea’s politicians are becoming friendlier to the cryptocurrency sector. As part of their April election campaigns, both the ruling and opposition parties promised to support improvements in the crypto market. They said a lot of different things, like putting off crypto taxes, making Bitcoin ETFs available, and easing limits on investing by institutions. In addition to legal improvements, Gyeonggi-do county has put in place a digital tracking system to catch people who don’t pay their cryptocurrency taxes. This is a big step toward using technology to improve tax compliance and recovery.

Hong Kong Sets New Standards in Digital Asset Management

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has recently released comprehensive guidance for digital asset custody services by authorized institutions. This guidance encompasses a broad spectrum of standards related to governance, risk management, and the protection of customer assets. Additionally, the HKMA has outlined regulatory expectations for the sale and distribution of tokenized products, ensuring that recognized institutions adhere to robust consumer protection measures. These developments reflect Hong Kong’s commitment to establishing a secure and regulated environment for crypto activities.

China’s Crackdown on Cybercrime and Innovation in Crypto

China has been proactive in addressing the challenges posed by the rapid evolution of technology, as evidenced by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate’s recent press conference. The authority highlighted a surge in cybercrimes facilitated by emerging technologies like virtual currencies, the metaverse, and blockchain. In response, China is intensifying its legal and regulatory frameworks to combat these crimes effectively. Meanwhile, the collaboration between Bright Dairy and the Shanghai Data Exchange marks a milestone in the integration of cryptoasset issuance and trading platforms, demonstrating an innovative approach to brand marketing through crypto.

Hong Kong and Myanmar: Expansions and Exposures

Hong Kong’s financial scene witnessed the withdrawal of Huobi HK’s application for a virtual asset trading platform license, signaling the challenges and stringent standards set by the Securities and Futures Commission. On the expansion front, FalconX’s entry into Hong Kong aims to cater to the professional investment sector with specialized OTC brokerage and cryptocurrency derivatives services. In a striking revelation, Chainalysis, in partnership with the International Justice Mission, uncovered a scam operation in Myanmar, highlighting the misuse of cryptocurrencies in financial crimes.

Asia’s crypto scene remains dynamic thanks to smart agreements like the one between Japan’s Oasys and South Korea’s Metabora SG. The goal of this agreement is to make it easier for game producers to get into the Japanese market, using blockchain technology to change the way people play games. These kinds of partnerships show how working together across borders can help the digital economy grow.