Crypto / Digital Assets

Crypto / Digital Assets

Japan: FSA Guidance Prompts Termination of Crypto ETF Derivatives Offering

By Mark Johnston | 19/11/2025

Japanese brokerage IG Securities will withdraw Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF contracts after the FSA deemed offering derivatives on overseas crypto products ‘undesirable’.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Citi, Swift Demonstrate Hybrid Fiat-Digital Settlement Model to Mitigate FX Risk

By Mark Johnston | 19/11/2025

The pilot demonstrates how existing infrastructure can support synchronised payment-versus-payment settlement across traditional and distributed ledger networks.

Crypto / Digital Assets

The Great Bitcoin Freeze: How the DOJ Snatched $15bn from a Cambodian Crypto Empire

By Nathan Lynch | 19/11/2025

Amid the excitement about the DOJ's record $15bn bitcoin seizure from Prince Group one question still remains unanswered: how did US authorities obtain assets held in cryptographically secure cold storage wallets?

Enforcement

Korea Customs Service Targets Crypto, Trade Finance in New Crackdown

By Mark Johnston | 19/11/2025

KCS launches special taskforce to block illicit funds from transnational crime, focusing on crypto and TBML.

Crypto / Digital Assets

SGX to List Bitcoin, Ethereum Perpetual Futures

By Nithya Subramanian | 19/11/2025

The new SGX contracts, tied to established crypto indices, aim to meet rising institutional demand in Asia for regulated tools to trade and hedge digital assets.

Enforcement

Taiwan FSC Fines Six Virtual Asset Firms for AML Breaches

By Manesh Samtani | 18/11/2025

Regulatory inspections of virtual asset providers uncovered widespread failings in customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, and data security.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Alibaba Explores Bank-Backed Deposit Token to Streamline Cross-border Payments

By Mark Johnston | 18/11/2025

The tech giant seeks a compliant path for cross-border payments as Chinese regulators increase pressure on private digital money.

Crypto / Digital Assets

ICMA Releases DLT Settlement and Custody Guidance under Project Guardian

By Nithya Subramanian | 18/11/2025

The two reports published as an addendum to the Guardian Fixed Income Framework outline DvP settlement approaches and custody insights for tokenised debt markets.

AML / KYC

Hong Kong SFC Mandates Stricter AML Controls to Combat 'Layering'

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 18/11/2025

The SFC expects firms to implement bank account registration, withdrawal holding periods, and enhanced monitoring to counter a new money laundering trend.