Digital Assets

Cryptocurrency

Hong Kong Pushes Ahead with Strict Crypto Tax Reporting Rules

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/02/2026

Legislative proposals confirm per-account penalties and personal liability for directors, despite industry warnings of unworkable compliance burdens.

CBDCs

BOJ and Private Sector Engage in Talks on Digital Yen Design

By Editors | 04/02/2026

A new committee has begun tackling practical issues like interoperability and costs, as the BOJ continues its CBDC pilot programme.

Custody & Infrastructure

SFC Seeks Budget Increase to Boost Headcount for Digital Assets, IPOs

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/02/2026

Six of 18 new positions are designated for digital assets licensing and supervision work as well as the SFC's "ASPIRe" virtual asset roadmap.

Stablecoins

Japan Proposes Rules for Handling Foreign-Issued Stablecoins

By Manesh Samtani | 04/02/2026

The proposals would bring certain foreign trust-based stablecoins into Japan's regulatory framework, imposing strict equivalence and due diligence rules on local handlers.

Stablecoins

Hong Kong to Issue First Stablecoin Licences in March

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/02/2026

Eddie Yue said the HKMA plans to grant a "very small number" of stablecoin issuer licences under its new regulatory regime.

PEPs & Sanctions

Australia, UK, US Target Iran with Sanctions Over Protester Crackdown

By Manesh Samtani | 03/02/2026

The coordinated measures impose asset freezes and travel bans on officials and entities for human rights abuses and sanctions evasion.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

India Dismantles Cybercrime Rings Laundering Millions via Crypto, Real Estate

By Editors | 03/02/2026

Indian agencies, with FBI and Interpol support, have raided networks using call centres and crypto to defraud international victims.

Cryptocurrency

Philippines Bans Banks From Dealing with Unregistered Crypto Firms

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/02/2026

New rules prohibit dealings with unlicensed virtual asset service providers and restrict retail customer access to offshore platforms.

Tokenisation

KOFIA Restructures to Support Capital Market, Digital Assets

By Mark Johnston | 03/02/2026

KOFIA is establishing a new “K-Capital Market Division” and a new Digital Strategy Team, while moving to strengthen its influence on policy and regulation.