In 2020, the Japanese crypto industry seems to have entered its maturation phase. With new crypto laws established in May, large exchanges have solidified their leading positions, while crypto startups and unregulated businesses have exited the market. However, it seems that a winner has not yet been declared. There are already more than 25 registered exchanges in the small nation with a population of over 100 million, but global crypto giants are just starting to enter the market. Some believe a significant industry reorganization is coming through buyouts of licensed exchanges. And with the current bull market expected to continue, …

Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has officially announced it will hire Ryozo Himino as its next leader. In a July 20 update to the Financial Services Agency’s executive directory, Himino is now listed as the commissioner of the watchdog group. The regulator was formerly the agency’s International Financial Deputy Counselor and the first Japanese Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Financial Stability Board (FSB). Himino will be replacing outgoing commissioner Toshihide Endo, who Bitcoin bull Anthony “Pomp” Pompliano described in his role with the FSA as “a big proponent of Bitcoin and Lightning Network.” However, the new commissioner may …

This week’s headlines from Japan included real estate player Tosei and Tokyo Financial Holdings listing an asset-backed digital financial product, Cointelegraph Japan interviewing a former Japanese central bank staffer, Coinage registering as an exchange with Japan's financial services agency, and a life insurance company testing digital asset billing transaction. Check out some of this week’s crypto and blockchain headlines, originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. Tosei and Tokyo Financial Holdings launch a digital securities product Real estate outfit Tosei and Tokai Tokyo Financial Holdings, hold plans for a digital securities product. The pair "will list digital securities backed by the rental …

A crypto-sympathetic official has been named as the next leader of Japan`s Financial Services Agency. Jiji Press reported on July 7 that the Japanese government has decided to appoint Ryozo Himino to the next commissioner of Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA). The official announcement will be made this month. Cointelegraph has reached out to FSA to confirm the news but has not received replies yet. Himino, currently the International Financial Deputy Counselor, is known on the international stage. Last September, he became the first Japanese Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Financial Stability Board (FSB). FSA’s new leader and …

This week’s headlines from Japan included SBI announcing a digital asset investment fund, Bitflyer Holdings using blockchain for shareholder meeting voting, Japan's Financial Services Agency warning two unregistered crypto exchanges, a Japanese digital asset exchange self-regulatory group changing chairmen, and Coincheck announcing launch details for its digital shareholder meeting platform. Check out some of this week’s crypto and blockchain headlines, originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. SBI unveils a crypto investment fund As an option for individual participants, Japanese financial services entity SBI Holdings expects to form and open Japan's first digital asset fund at some point over the next few …

This week’s headlines from Japan included research company Xangle releasing a report on Japanese crypto regulation, Binance supporting Japan's language but not its residents, SBI Holdings turning gift certificates digital with blockchain, and Nomura Holdings opening a crypto custody service with Ledger and Coinshares. Check out some of this week’s crypto and blockchain headlines, originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. Research outfit details Japanese crypto regulation A new report surfaced last week from research outfit Xangle regarding Japanese digital asset regulation. Citing multiple examples of already-approved assets listed on exchanges, the report "analyzes the conditions necessary for listing a new virtual …

This week’s headlines from Japan included the country’s Financial Services Agency revealing feedback from the public on recent regulation, the Cabinet Office Ordinance announcing regulatory changes, Zaif exchange removing three crypto assets, Bitbank’s COO predicting crypto exchange mergers, and Nomura Research Institute issuing Japan’s first blockchain-based bond. Check out some of this week’s crypto and blockchain headlines, originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. Japanese FSA receives comments on new regulations The Japanese Financial Services Agency, or FSA, unveiled 172 comments from citizens and groups, pertaining to recent crypto asset laws taking effect on May 1. The fresh laws span several areas, …

Japan’s financial regulator announced the launch of its global Blockchain Governance Initiative Network (BGIN) on March 10. The BGIN intends to foster the “sustainable development of the blockchain community." The Financial Services Agency Japan (JFSA) announced the new initiative during the “BG2C - Special Online Broadcasting Panel Discussion,” which the JFSA hosted in partnership with Nikkei Inc. BGIN to develop “common language” for blockchain sector The BGIN will encourage sustainable development of the distributed ledger technology (DLT) sector by establishing “an open and neutral sphere for all blockchain stakeholders to deepen common understanding” between DLT stakeholders. The initiative also hopes …

This past week in Japan, native exchange Bitpoint released data showing a massive deficit from 2019, Japan’s Financial Services Agency mentioned upcoming tightened regulations, Japanese and European central banks researched distributed ledger technology, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party chairman expressed fears of Libra and the Chinese digital yuan, and the GMO Coin exchange hit 300,000 users. Check out some of this week’s crypto and blockchain headlines, originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. Japanese exchange operates in deficit for most of 2019 Japan-based exchange Bitpoint recently publicized its monetary records for Q2, Q3 and Q4 2019, revealing a 62.9% decline in sales. The …

Licensed crypto exchange Huobi Japan has raised 5 million yen ($4.6 million) from Financial Products Group (FPG), a financial instruments business operator. The development was revealed in a press release shared with Cointelegraph on Oct. 25. Future cooperation on digitized securities Huobi Japan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of major Singapore-based crypto exchange Huobi, which serves traders across over 130 countries. The platform launched this January as a fully compliant entity after a merger with BitTrade — one of only 16 crypto exchanges at the time to have secured a license under the aegis of Japan’s national financial regulator, the Financial …

Japan, one of the leading markets for cryptocurrencies, has seen a series of important developments for the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries this week. The country’s financial regulator, the Financial Services Agency (FSA), has licensed crypto-related businesses. Japanese Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso noted that regulators need to find new approaches to address emerging technologies like cryptocurrencies and blockchain. Here is the past week of crypto and blockchain news in review, as originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. Deputy Prime Minister addresses regulation approaches On Sept. 5, Minister Aso was the keynote speaker at the FINSUM fintech conference in …

Japan’s financial regulator, the Financial Service Agency (FSA), has issued a business improvement order to Japanese investment firm and Zaif crypto exchange operator Fisco. According to Cointelegraph Japan, the FSA has identified shortcomings in Fisco’s internal control systems — such as anti-money laundering measures — and found it to be insufficiently compliant with local laws and regulations. As previously reported, Fisco assumed ownership of Japanese exchange Zaif in fall 2018, shortly after the platform was hacked to the tune of ~$59.7 million. The FSA’s action has reportedly been taken under the provisions of the country’s Act on Settlement of Funds. …