Japan
Japan reclassifies crypto as a financial asset, paves way for tax cuts
Lawmakers said crypto has outgrown its role as a payment method and requires rules designed for investment products.
Japan’s biggest card network taps Circle to bring stablecoins to 40 million merchants
JCB and Circle will explore using USDC for cross-border payments and merchant transactions as Japan ramps up efforts to bring stablecoins into everyday commerce.
SBI Holdings' blockchain initiative pivots to Solana for tokenization, stablecoin issuance
The SBI Solana Global joint venture now includes the Solana Foundation, the Swiss organization that oversees the layer-1 network.
Metaplanet explores bringing bitcoin-backed digital credit to Japan
The bitcoin treasury company is working with JPYC and Progmat to explore tokenized credit products backed by bitcoin, aiming to create efficient, 24/7 credit markets in Japan.
Bank of Japan may speed up rate hikes, pushing borrowing costs above 2%, ex-BOJ official warns
Former BOJ official issues interest-rate warning as yen continues to slide against the dollar.
SBI's $289 million Bitbank deal is symptomatic of Japan's crypto consolidation: Architect Partners
The investment bank said the purchase of Japanese crypto exchange Bitbank is a bet on regulated scale as sweeping reforms reshape the country's digital asset market.
Japanese financial services giant SBI Holdings to buy Bitbank for $289 million
SBI said the purchase of the crypto exchange is set to close in October.
Circle and Nomura join forces to target a $440 billion daily foreign exchange market in Japan
The stablecoin giant and the Japanese financial corporation plan to deploy cross-border foreign exchange settlements as early as next year.
Japan’s parliament poised to pass sweeping bill to regulate crypto like stocks
The new rules, which are expected to come into effect in 2027, aim to foster innovation and crypto market growth to meet internal and external demand for digital asset services.
