Bitcoin Price Watch: A $300 Drop is in the Books

Bitcoin’s price incurred a slight fall during today’s early morning hours. After trading at just under $9,000 for most of yesterday, bitcoin is down to around $8,600 at press time. There appear to be several reasons for the drop. The first comes by way of the U.K. Authorities are laying out plans to implement a … Read more

Japan Punishes Seven Cryptocurrency Exchanges, Suspending Two

The Japanese financial regulator has punished seven cryptocurrency exchanges in the country, suspending the operation of two of them. “The agency fears another Coincheck-style hack,” it stated after recent inspections of all crypto exchanges in Japan revealed inadequate measures for customer protection. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies FSA Punishes … Read more

16 Government-Approved Crypto Exchanges Forming Self-Regulatory Body in Japan

16 cryptocurrency exchanges that have been approved by the Japanese government are teaming up to form a self-regulatory group, following the hack of one of the country’s most popular exchanges. Besides these exchanges, there are 16 “quasi-operators” for cryptocurrencies as well as about 100 firms seeking to enter the market in Japan. Also read: Japan’s DMM … Read more

Over 100 Firms Seek Licenses to Operate Cryptocurrency Exchanges in Japan

There are over 100 companies reportedly waiting for the Japanese Financial Services Agency to approve their registrations to operate cryptocurrency exchanges. While only 16 exchanges are fully licensed in Japan, the agency has allowed another 16 to operate without a license for the time being. However, going forward, only those with sufficient safety and customer … Read more

132 Customers File Class Action Lawsuit Against Coincheck

This week local Japanese news outlets report that the exchange Coincheck, who suffered from a $530Mn USD loss of the cryptocurrency NEM, is facing a class action lawsuit. Reports detail that 132 Coincheck customers have banded together asking for a refund of 228 million yen ($2Mn). Also read: Digital Currency Group Welcomes Bitcoin-Friendly Bank to the … Read more

Japanese Police Reveal 669 Money Laundering Cases Tied to Local Exchanges

Just recently Japanese investigators revealed they had obtained 669 reports concerning “suspected money laundering” tied to cryptocurrency transactions and domestic digital currency trading platforms. The linked data was derived from investigations spurred by the recent transaction reporting statutes licensed exchanges are required to follow. Also read: Bitcoin Is Finding Its Way into High Schools Japanese Police … Read more

Japanese Crypto Associations Merging to Restore Trust Across the Industry

Japan’s two cryptocurrency associations have reportedly decided to merge in order to restore trust in the industry and accelerate self-imposed rules. Once approved by the Japanese financial regulator, the new organization will have the power to set penalties for breaches of self-regulation. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies Two Crypto … Read more

Coincheck Produces Recovery Plan While Investors Flock to Withdraw Funds

Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Coincheck has submitted a report to the country’s financial authority outlining measures it will take following the hack that lost 58 billion yen worth of the cryptocurrency NEM from its platform. However, customers rush to withdraw 40.1 billion yen of their funds so far as the exchange resumes yen withdrawal service. Also … Read more

Japan Cracks Down on Foreign ICO Agency Operating Without License

The Japanese financial regulator will be issuing its first warning since the legalization of cryptocurrencies as a method of payment in Japan. An overseas initial coin offering agency has reportedly been attracting Japanese investors without a license, repeatedly ignoring the agency’s advice to cease operating in the country. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for … Read more

Japanese Financial Authority Inspecting 32 Cryptocurrency Exchanges

The Japanese Financial Services Agency has announced that it is inspecting all 32 cryptocurrency exchanges in Japan. This includes 16 exchanges that have not obtained a license but are currently under review by the agency and those that are already fully licensed. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies 16 Exchanges … Read more