Infinite Block Receives Certification for Information Security Management System of Blockchain…

Recognition of Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 6 has led to many crypto proponents in Asia foreseeing a positive outcome for crypto within the Asian region, and globally.Photo by Kevin Lanceplaine on UnsplashBright future for cryptoAccording to a report published by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), crypto proponents in China are expectant of a bright future for crypto both on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong. The mindset seems to be that a pro-crypto stance in the U.S. will lead to other jurisdictions taking a similar approach. HashKey CEO Livio Weng expressed such a view, stating:“Trump’s pro-crypto stance is expected not only to invigorate the US virtual-asset industry, but also to encourage Hong Kong to further relax its own virtual-asset policies in its quest to become a global Web3 hub.”  Prior to being elected, Trump had promised to fire Gary Gensler, who as Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has pursued a strategy of regulation by enforcement, a course of action that has been broadly criticized by crypto market participants in the United States. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse wasted no time in calling on Trump to act, and to fire Gensler. Influencing regulatory attitudesThere seems to be a consensus among commentators that the regulatory approach to crypto in the U.S. is going to become crypto-friendly. Crypto analyst Miles Deutscher suggests that “a Trump victory is a WIN for US tech innovation, as it would solidify [the United States’] status as a crypto powerhouse.” Weng believes that “this shift could also positively influence regulatory attitudes toward virtual assets in mainland China.” That view is mirrored in South Korea by KP Jang, head of Xangle Research. Jang asserts that “if Trump implements bold virtual asset policies while improving existing regulations, it is expected to accelerate regulatory reforms in Korea as well.” Sumit Gupta, CEO and co-founder of India’s largest crypto exchange, CoinDCX, outlined on X that Trump’s victory is a pivotal moment for global crypto, adding:”The direct effects of Trump’s policies might not alter India’s regulatory environment right away. However, global sentiment and investor behaviour will be influenced, eventually reaching India.” The CoinDCX CEO believes that should Trump now appoint regulatory leadership that’s crypto-positive, any resultant crypto regulatory framework adopted by the U.S. could become a blueprint for use by other nations. Gupta identified further potential upside insofar as the implementation of positive crypto policies by Trump would lead to a more attractive environment for crypto, “potentially opening up enhanced funding opportunities and partnerships for Indian startups as investors seek global growth.” Bitcoin price surgeAt the time of writing, the Bitcoin unit price is up 0.64% over the course of the past 24 hours, at $74,884. American business news channel CNBC reported that Bitcoin could reach $100,000 before Trump even takes office.  Matthew Hougan, chief investment officer (CIO) at crypto asset fund manager Bitwise, said that Trump’s election victory could herald in a “golden age of crypto,” with a friendlier regulatory environment leading to greater institutional investment and mainstream adoption.

Japan’s largest bank is stepping deeper into digital assets at a moment of political change. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and its securities arm Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities (MUMSS) have launched a blockchain-based business, according to CoinDesk Japan. The move puts the country’s biggest lender at the center of a fresh push to bring regulated finance onto distributed ledgers while retail investors gain a new way to buy and trade tokenized products. MUMSS has begun offering bond security tokens, marking its formal entry into the security token market. At the same time, the firm introduced ASTOMO, a trading venue for retail investors built with Japanese fintech company Smartplus. The system will debut with real estate-backed security tokens. Individuals can invest from 100,000 yen (about $655) through a smartphone app. Under the partnership MUMSS will select and source the digital securities. Smartplus will run account management and build and operate the trading system using its Brokerage as a Service (BaaS) platform. MUFG also revealed that it has started preparing a public offering of subordinated bonds in token form. The bank intends the instruments to qualify as Tier 2 capital under international rules. The offering is expected to be the first of its kind for Japan’s banking sector. MUFG has submitted an amended securities registration statement to the Director General of the Kanto Local Finance Bureau in advance of the sale.Photo by Asm Arif on PexelsTakaichi’s victory sparks interest in Japan’s crypto pathThe corporate steps arrive as conservative lawmaker Sanae Takaichi rises to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. She won the party election on Oct. 4 and is set to become Japan’s first female prime minister, with lawmakers expected to make the formal choice in the middle of this month.  Several industry voices see her leadership as supportive of digital assets, according to Cointelegraph. Elisenda Fabrega, general counsel at tokenization platform Brickken, said Takaichi’s victory might reshape how Japan perceives and regulates digital assets, reinforcing the country’s commitment to clear and reliable crypto laws. Maarten Henskens, chief operating officer at Startale Group and head of the Astar Foundation, chimed in to say that a looser monetary stance under Takaichi could keep liquidity flowing and drive greater investor interest in alternative assets such as cryptocurrencies. That optimism has already spilled into Japan’s equity markets. The Nikkei index has continued to soar since the leadership vote, reaching a record high of 48,580.44 on Oct. 9. Not all signals point in the same direction. A BeInCrypto report published before the election noted market predictions that Takaichi might also back tighter oversight. The report cited her March proposal to build a framework that lets financial institutions, including crypto exchanges, share information on suspicious transactions. That system would support faster account freezes. Nikkei 225 Index Source: Google FinanceLoose fiscal tone brings new pressures for BitcoinFrom a broader economic view, the picture looks more complex. CoinDesk reported that Takaichi’s preference for easy Abenomics-style policies could weigh on Bitcoin in the short term. Expansionary fiscal measures tend to increase bond supply and drive yields higher, which often curbs risk appetite by raising borrowing costs and making assets like stocks and cryptocurrencies less appealing. Her stance has also reduced expectations for a Bank of Japan rate hike, weakening the yen and strengthening the U.S. dollar. The stronger dollar has cooled Bitcoin’s momentum, while gold has continued to attract investors seeking stability. MUFG’s blockchain venture arrives at a turning point for Japan. The bank’s push into tokenized assets shows how traditional finance is adapting to digital change just as new leadership tests the balance between innovation and control. Whether this marks the start of a broader transformation will depend on how policy, regulation, and investor confidence evolve together in shaping Japan’s financial future. 

Turkey, a significant player in the global cryptocurrency market, has been anticipated to introduce comprehensive crypto-related legislation in 2024. Despite initial announcements suggesting an early rollout, the specifics of the anticipated regulatory framework remain pending, leaving stakeholders in anticipation. Currently, Turkey operates with limited crypto regulations. While some measures exist, such as those imposed by the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance’s financial intelligence unit, others remain informal, such as guidance from the Capital Markets Board. These regulations primarily focus on prohibiting certain activities and implementing anti-money laundering (AML) measures.Photo by Dima Rogachevskiy on UnsplashAnticipated reforms and their purposeThe forthcoming legislation is expected to address various aspects of the crypto market, including licensing requirements for exchanges, investor protection measures and taxation. The aim is to align with international standards, potentially aiding Turkey in exiting the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) "gray list." The regulations aim to enhance investor protection, especially in light of past incidents like the collapse of the Thodex exchange, while also providing a legal framework for crypto taxation. Timing of implementationDespite expectations for an early introduction, the exact timeline for the enactment of the crypto legislation remains uncertain. Industry observers speculate potential connections between the legislation's timing and Turkey's efforts to exit the FATF's "gray list." While some anticipate a release by mid-year, others suggest a delay until later in the year, underscoring the complexity and importance of the regulatory reforms for Turkey's crypto ecosystem.