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    Cryptocurrencies

    1 November 2026
    Binance co-CEO Richard Teng said on X, "Our users will not bear the financial impact of this incident."
    Binance said it could freeze additional funds as it works with law enforcement agencies, token issuers, blockchain intelligence firms and other industry partners to trace and freeze additional assets.
    Cryptocurrencies

    Binance suspends withdrawals and freezes funds after $6.3bn hack

    Bitcoin price tumbles on what may be biggest cryptocurrency theft ever

    31 October 2026
    The launch of Upbond's platform coincides with a change to Japan's tax-free shopping rules in November. (Photo by Yuri Fukino)
    Cryptocurrencies

    Japan's Upbond to offer tax-free shopping refunds in JPYC stablecoin

    Wallet platform to speed repayments to foreign travelers after move away from exemptions

    30 October 2026
    Containers seen at an industrial port in Tokyo.
    Finance

    Japan banks, fintech step up digital currency push for trade settlements

    Shoko Chukin, top banks develop systems ahead of adoption of digital documents

    28 October 2026
    Circle, which listed on the NYSE in June 2025, is the issuer of the world's second-largest stablecoin, USDC.
    Cryptocurrencies

    Circle exec urges room for banks, startups in Asian stablecoin regimes

    World's second-largest issuer hopes for cross-border regulatory harmonization

    27 October 2026
    Hong Kong-founded crypto exchange CoinEx says it is shutting down, citing a market slump and other factors. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)
    Cryptocurrencies

    Hong Kong-founded crypto exchange CoinEx to shut down

    Platform recently flagged for Iran traffic blames weak trading, regulatory scrutiny

    15 September 2026
    Citi moves about $6 trillion in funds each day, with the total for tokenized deposits alone reaching roughly $1 billion.
    Finance

    Citi to offer instant cross-border payments for Japan firms via blockchain

    US bank says service would be first for Japanese clients by a foreign financial institution

    9 September 2026
    A sign indicating that bitcoin payments are accepted is displayed during the Bitcoin Asia conference in Hong Kong on Aug. 27.
    Cryptocurrencies

    Hong Kong bitcoin event sparks 'ego' check after bearish run

    City's tightly regulated exchanges struggle to meet shifting investor interest

    29 August 2026
    SBI has also invested in companies in Singapore to promote cross-border settlement and securities trading. (Photo by Nikkei)
    Business deals

    Japan's SBI to take stake in Indonesian digital broker Ajaib in crypto push

    Tokyo-based financial group bolstering operations through Southeast Asia

    28 August 2026
    Tech groups and Japanese authorities and businesses launched the Japan Anti-Scam Alliance in Tokyo on Aug. 26. (Photo by Tsubasa Suruga)
    Cybersecurity

    Google, OpenAI, Meta, TikTok team up with Japan to fight scams

    Public-private initiative targets fraud linked to Cambodia, Myanmar, other hubs

    26 August 2026
    Money has flowed into precious metals such as gold, as well as bitcoin, which some investors view as an alternative store of value, as the dollar has weakened. (Photo by Takanobu Aimatsu)
    Markets

    Gold and bitcoin jump as investors shift capital away from dollar

    US debt concerns fuel debasement trade, all eyes on Fed chair Warsh's speech

    25 August 2026
    Chinese humanoid developer Unitree and memory chip producer CXMT were popular targets of 'perp' bets before their recent IPOs, heralding big pops. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images)
    Markets

    Global investors use 'perp' bets to chase China tech stocks like Unitree

    Risky derivatives offer way for traders outside country to catch hottest IPOs

    21 August 2026
    MUFG looks to use tokenized money market funds and a stablecoin to carry out blockchain-based JGB repo trades. (Photo by Jo Miyaguchi)
    Cryptocurrencies

    Japan's MUFG to launch instant JGB transactions via blockchain

    Step will eliminate current repo settlement cycle of 1 day or longer

    13 August 2026
    U.S. authorities shut down Hubei Amarvel Biotech's website, but that doesn't mean the end of the game. (NIKKEI montage)
    Fentanyl’s Hidden Routes

    Money mules and couriers: How a Chinese fentanyl ring traps ordinary people

    Members move among web of shell companies while cutting loose expendable players

    25 July 2026
    AZ-COM Maruwa, which works with 2,300 subcontractors, is undertaking what is expected to be the first large-scale corporate use of JPYC in Japan. (AZ-COM Maruwa)
    Cryptocurrencies

    Japan logistics provider for Amazon to use JPYC stablecoin in operations

    AZ-COM Maruwa hopes to attract contractors with prompt, fee-less payments

    20 July 2026
    JCB is looking to set lower transaction fees for stablecoin payments compared to credit cards. (Photo by Shogo Furuta)
    Cryptocurrencies

    JCB to test stablecoin payment service for tourists to Japan

    Visitors would be able to pay with USDC at participating shops

    14 July 2026
    SBI Holdings debuted the yen-denominated stablecoin JPYSC in June. (Photo by Ryuta Minamihata)
    Cryptocurrencies

    Japan's SBI Holdings takes stake in US crypto exchange EDX Markets

    Financial group looks to collaborate on yen-denominated stablecoin

    7 July 2026
    SBI and Daiwa are also considering providing their clients with access to investing in security tokens in Singapore in the future. (Source photo by screenshot from Daiwa Securities Group's website) 
    Finance

    Japan's blockchain-based security tokens to open to foreign investors

    SBI, Daiwa to initially tap clients in Singapore through jointly built platform

    7 July 2026
    Stablecoin transactions, which Circle and Nomura will offer, are expected to stimulate cross-border investment and trade. (Source photos by Yutaka Miyaguchi and Reuters) 
    Cryptocurrencies

    US stablecoin giant Circle to start settlement business with Nomura

    Partnership aims to enable instant foreign exchange for Japanese companies

    25 June 2026
    Crypto specialist Binance is expanding into stock trading as digital currencies slump.
    Equities

    Binance eyes Asian stock trading as Bitcoin slumps

    Crypto exchange plans to add equities from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong

    9 June 2026
    Criminal organizations prefer stablecoins like Tether to unpegged cryptocurrencies because they avoid volatility.
    Crime

    AI crypto scams soar in US as annual losses top $11bn

    Victims coaxed into transferring stablecoins to phony investment websites

    6 June 2026
    Investment products that involve cryptocurrency are already available in the U.S. and elsewhere. (Photo by Wataru Ito)
    Cryptocurrencies

    Japan's SBI, Rakuten to sell crypto investment trusts developed in-house

    Other major securities firms to weigh offering products when regulations settle

    17 May 2026
    The digital economy team at Moody's is trying to adapt its ratings and services to emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
    Cryptocurrencies

    Moody's readies stablecoin ratings as Asian market takes shape

    Credit agency aims to assess risk of different currency-pegged crypto offerings

    5 May 2026
    (Nikkei montage)
    Technology

    Vietnam prepares crypto market debut as players line up

    Strict rules and high capital thresholds may limit competition and early liquidity

    24 April 2026
    The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has issued the city's first two stablecoin licenses, after receiving dozens of applications. (HKMA website)
    Cryptocurrencies

    Hong Kong grants first stablecoin licenses to HSBC, StanChart-led group

    Announcement ends months of guesswork as financial hub pushes into growing field

    10 April 2026
    Okonomiyaki chain Chibo's Sennichimae flagship location in Osaka. (Photo by Nikkei)
    7 April 2026
    Hong Kong's monetary authority has delayed the first batch of stablecoin licenses, with one insider saying the authority has suggested changes to prospective licensees' applications. 
    Caixin

    Hong Kong delays issue of first stablecoin licenses

    Pause signals tighter risk controls crypto-linked payment instruments

    1 April 2026
    JPMorgan Chase looks to market its blockchain-based payment products to Japanese companies.
    Cryptocurrencies

    Mitsubishi to adopt JPMorgan blockchain service for fund transfers

    Trading house will be first Japanese company to use instant international fund transfer service

    31 March 2026
    Tumbling prices of digital assets have left many in ASEAN nursing nasty losses, but growing institutional adoption seems set to continue.
    Trading Asia

    Bitcoin resilience amid Iran war raises optimism about crypto adoption in ASEAN

    Digital assets might still be in 'winter,' but they have not gone as volatile as traditional assets

    30 March 2026
    Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City is a planned environmentally friendly special administrative region. (Gelephu Mindfulness City)
    Cryptocurrencies

    Bhutan seeks economic revival with special city backed by bitcoin mining

    Happiness-focused kingdom grapples with high unemployment and youth brain drain

    12 March 2026