Major Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten has announced the launch of its own nonfungible token (NFT) trading platform dubbed Rakuten NFT. The firm initially revealed its plans to launch a proprietary NFT marketplace in 2021 amid the growing popularity of non-fungible tokens worldwide. According to Rakuten, the NFT marketplace also hosts a platform that allows IP owners to create their own websites for issuing and selling NFTs. Cointelegraph contacted the Rakuten team for further information on the development, and this story will be updated as more details become available. With a population of over 126 million and a renowned pop culture …

Dolce & Gabbana knocking on the Dior of NFTs Luxury Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana is entering the nonfungible token (NFT) sector with a nine-piece collection of tokenized fashion items in collaboration with the Polygon-based UNXD marketplace. The firm was founded by designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in 1985 and has since evolved into a multinational giant that offers high-end fashion items for eye-watering prices. Dubbed “Collezione Genesi,” the collection consists of nine one-of-one NFTs that are up for auction starting Sept. 20. The NFTs depict illustrations and digital art of garments designed by Dolce and Gabbana, which …

According to research by Messari, the top three online brokerage firms in Japan are experiencing surging revenue from their cryptocurrency exchange services. In its Asian Crypto Landscape report, Messari noted the operating revenue and net worth of exchange platforms operated by Japan’s top securities brokers is quickly catching up to that of their crypto-native rivals. Messari researcher Mira Christanto tweeted that Japan’s three-largest brokers by customer deposits — SBI, Rakuten, and Monex — all operate crypto exchange platforms. Christanto also noted that many large asset managers are lobbying Japanese lawmakers to allow them to offer expanded cryptocurrency services and products, …

This week’s headlines from Japan included Bitbank adding smartphone compatibility for identity verification, Fobi Japan announcing leverage trading, Coincheck announcing order limits, Rakuten Wallet announcing margin trading, and product trading company Marubeni testing blockchain for tracing steel pipes. Check out some of this week’s crypto and blockchain headlines, originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. BitBank launches smartphone ID verification Japan-based crypto exchange, BitBank, recently added smartphone compatibility for its Know Your Customer, or KYC, practices. Using their smartphone cameras, customers can now snap pictures themselves and related required paperwork for verification. At present, BitBank is only compatible with Apple’s iOS, although …

This week’s headlines from Japan include crypto exchange Zaif reopening account registrations, government agencies meeting on crypto, the Federation of Economic Affairs submitting a national Blockchain proposal, Coincheck adding Qtum, and Rakuten Wallet opening leverage trading account registration. Check out some of this week’s crypto and blockchain headlines, originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. Zaif crypto exchange reopens account registration after hack Japanese crypto exchange Zaif opened its doors once again for new account registrations, starting on March 6. Hackers pilfered more that $63 million in crypto from the platform in 2018. After the hack, the company announced deposit and withdrawal …

Japanese retail giant Rakuten now lets its customers convert its Rakuten Group loyalty points to major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC). According to an official announcement on Dec. 24, this capability is immediately available for Rakuten users in Japan who have an account with Rakuten Wallet, a crypto exchange subsidiary of Rakuten. The company says its clients can convert their loyalty points to three different cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether (ETH), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH). The minimum crypto purchase is $0.90 With one Rakuten Super Point worth one Japanese yen (approximately $0.009), users need to have at least 100 such points to …

Security token offerings, or STOs, have more or less taken the mantle from their semi-defunct counterpart, the initial coin offering (ICO). Still, the extreme rise and subsequent fall of the ICO has left quite an impression on the cryptocurrency industry. At its peak prevalence in 2017, this novel fundraising prototype accumulated a total of $6.2 billion — but it wasn’t set to last. Come December of the same year, ICOs had become a shadow of their former selves, plummeting in demand. So far, a mere $366 million has been raised via ICOs in 2019, a retrace of 94% from their …

Six major Japanese brokerage firms such as SBI Securities and Rakuten Securities officially established Japan Security Token Offering (STO) Association. The four other members of the new association include Nomura Securities, Daiwa Securities, Kabu.com Securities and Japan’s financial giant Monex, who officially announced the news on Oct. 1. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan STO Association launches in order to support the development of STO fundraising by consolidating expertise in the industry, ensuring compliance with laws and protecting investors. Development of self-regulations Chaired by Yoshitaka Kitao, CEO and representative director of SBI Holdings and an exec at Ripple Labs, the general incorporated …

Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Rakuten Wallet has launched trading a year after acquiring Everybody’s Bitcoin. Three trading pairs go live Confirmed in a press release on Aug. 19, Rakuten Wallet, which is a subsidiary of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, said spot trading of three cryptocurrencies — Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) — was now live. In future, developers plan to release an app for iOS and Android, use of which will be mandatory for deposits and withdrawals. “Customers who already have a bank account with Rakuten Bank will be able to easily open a Rakuten Wallet account simply …

The growing popularity of cryptocurrency has led to a revolution in the digital currency industry. Enterprises that were of noncrypto origin now have or plan to have their own crypto product. The 10 years of cryptocurrency’s existence has led to an unprecedented ease of transactions. It has also brought transparency into the e-commerce world. This article discusses 10 of the biggest enterprises in the world, without a cryptocurrency background, that have already created or are in the process of investing resources to develop a digital currency they can call their own. 1. Facebook Facebook is reportedly completing efforts to release …

The Japanese transportation industry is leading the country’s long-standing efforts to go cashless. Earlier this month, two major players from the archipelago’s e-commerce and transport industries partnered up to simplify and promote payments that do not require hard cash. Homegrown e-commerce giant Rakuten plans to incorporate its services into Japan’s premier railway firm, the East Japan Railway Company or JR East to provide electronic support for its “Suica” cards. The cards are used to access trains as well as to pay for goods and services at certain kiosks in train stations and select stores around the country. If all goes …

Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten has partnered with Japan’s biggest railway firm, the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), to promote cashless payments. The news was reported by Cointelegraph Japan on June 5. The partnership will enable commuters to charge and use their rechargeable smart fare card — JR East’s “Suica” — via the Rakuten Pay mobile app. As Cointelegraph Japan notes, the integrated service will bring cashless transport payments via the mobile app to commuters at 5,000 train stations and approximately 50,000 buses, in addition to around 600,000 stores across Japan. According to an official press release published today, the …