Asia

Japan

Japan to Drop 8% Bitcoin Sales Tax

The government of Japan is reportedly planning to exempt bitcoin and other virtual currencies from a national sales tax.

Markets  ·  12 October 2016
Banking

R3 Adds Bitcoin Exchange Veteran to Research Lab

Former itBit client group director Antony Lewis has officially joined banking consortium R3.

Business  ·  3 October 2016
China

Regulators Block Sale of Bitcoin Miner Avalon

A planned acquisition deal between Chinese manufacturer Shandong Luyitong and bitcoin mining hardware company Canaan is no more.

Business  ·  29 September 2016
Japan

P&C Insurer Trials Blockchain for Catastrophe Coverage

One of Japan’s largest property insurers is co-developing a prototype blockchain system for insurance derivatives.

Markets  ·  26 September 2016
China

Blockchain Post-Trade Startup Juzhen Raises $23 Million Series A

China's Juzhen Financials has raised $23m (¥153m) to develop clearing and settlement solutions based on blockchain.

Business  ·  26 September 2016
China

Blockchain to Drive Wanxiang’s $30 Billion Smart Cities Initiative

Auto giant Wanxiang announced today that it will be using blockchain as part of its newly announced smart cities program.

Markets  ·  23 September 2016
Japan

Bank of Tokyo is Planning to Use Blockchain for Contract Management

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU) intends to begin managing its contracts on a blockchain-based platform.

Business  ·  16 September 2016
China

New Blockchain ‘Alliance’ Forms in Shanghai

A new group focused on promoting blockchain tech within the city of Shanghai’s business and technology sectors has been established.

Business  ·  15 September 2016
Banking

Blockchain Requires Radical Change, Not Compromise

A retro-fitted version of same-old system? That's what blockchain may become if financial firms aren't ready to be radical.

Markets  ·  9 September 2016
Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Central Bank to Test Blockchain

Hong Kong's de-facto central bank intends to launch an innovation hub that will test blockchain solutions.

Business  ·  7 September 2016
Exchanges

Japan Exchange Group: Distributed Ledgers ‘Better’ With Third Parties

A new report from Japan Exchange Group (JPX) contends that distributed ledgers will work 'better' if third parties are involved.

Markets  ·  31 August 2016
Regulation

Singapore Central Bank Proposes New Rules for Bitcoin Startups

Singapore's central bank has proposed a new regulatory framework for payments that could cover digital currency exchanges.

Policy & regulation  ·  29 August 2016
Japan

Bank of Japan: Blockchain Could Alter Financial Services

Japan's central bank issued remarks this week that found it forecasting that blockchain could come to have a fundamental impact on finance.

Policy & regulation  ·  23 August 2016
Japan

Japanese Firms Test Blockchain for E-Check Management

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and tech giant Hitachi are working on a blockchain proof-of-concept aimed at digitizing checks.

Business  ·  22 August 2016
Banking

Singapore Central Bank Adds Blockchain CEOs to Advisory Panel

Blythe Masters and 14 other financial leaders have joined a new tech advisory panel formed by Singapore's central bank.

Business  ·  5 August 2016