Partnerships enable AsiaNext to launch crypto derivative trading

Backpack Exchange, a crypto exchange that joined the Japan Virtual Currency Exchange Association (JVCEA) last December, has recently acquired FTX EU, the European arm of the failed crypto exchange business FTX. According to a press release, the business comes with a European MiFID II license, with the acquisition having been approved by the Cypriot regulator, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Furthermore, a Delaware bankruptcy court in the United States, which is dealing with the FTX bankruptcy, has also rubber-stamped the acquisition. Backpack Exchange was co-founded by CEO Armani Ferrante, alongside other former FTX executives. According to the firm’s LinkedIn page, it has established its headquarters in Japan. The company also has links to Dubai, having acquired a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license for its Backpack Wallet product from  Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in 2023.Photo by Christian Lue on UnsplashRebuilding trust As a consequence of having acquired FTX’s European arm, Backpack Exchange will now assume responsibility for the distribution of court-approved FTX bankruptcy claims to FTX EU users. In the company’s press release, Ferrante spoke of the importance of the distribution process in rebuilding trust. He stated: "Customer restitution is a crucial step to rebuild trust and confidence in the industry, and Backpack is committed to returning FTX EU customers’ funds as fast and as safely as possible." In response to a query from FTX creditor activist Sunil Kavuri on X, Ferrante outlined that FTX EU users “will only be able to claim their euro claims funds directly from Backpack EU.” Ferrante clarified that FTX EU customers who had pending crypto withdrawals at the time of the bankruptcy will have their crypto claims dealt with via the FTX bankruptcy estate. In a Series A financing round early last year, Backpack was valued at $120 million. Through FTX EU, it now acquires a MiFID II license, further facilitating the global expansion of the company. With FTX EU now forming Backpack’s EU arm, the company will offer crypto-derivative products, including perpetual futures. This product offering is scheduled to go live in Q1 2025. Bankruptcy process controversy The bankruptcy of FTX EU has been controversial, starting off with the European entity being illegally filed into a U.S. bankruptcy process. In early 2024, the FTX Debtors suggested that the entity was worthless. It later wanted to buy out the entity itself, outbidding a third-party bidder. A short time afterwards, the FTX Debtors reached a settlement with the former FTX EU team. It’s understood that Backpack has acquired FTX EU for $32 million.  The FTX Debtors’ attempt to buy the business itself has cast a cloud over the bankruptcy process. When it first emerged that the business had been sold, there was some speculation as to if this would mean a rebooted FTX within the European market, but Backpack’s acquisition confirms that this was not to be the outcome.  Japan could have offered another opportunity to reboot the business, but instead, FTX Japan was acquired by bitFlyer and absorbed into its existing business. With regard to the main FTX business entity, the FTX Debtors told the bankruptcy court that there was no interest in the business from buyers. 

Hong Kong Authorities Block Access to JPEX Amid Ongoing InvestigationDubai-headquartered crypto exchange JPEX has been under intense scrutiny in Hong Kong over the course of the past week due to issues experienced by Hong Kong users in withdrawing funds from the platform. In the most recent twist to the saga, authorities in the Chinese autonomous territory have now blocked access to the JPEX website and mobile application.Photo by Tao Yuan on UnsplashCutting off service accessThe firm published a statement on Wednesday, outlining this latest sanction, while protesting that the move had been unreasonable. It appears that the authorities requested local telecommunications providers to block access to the company’s online platform.The measure follows ongoing enforcement actions initiated by local law enforcement agencies, which have led to the detention of at least 11 individuals and the seizure of assets related to the case. The scandal has also had implications for the crypto sector as a whole, as local regulators are now looking once more at regulation and determining if there’s a need to tighten regulatory measures as a consequence of JPEX’s failings in Hong Kong.VPN recommendationIn its statement, JPEX stated:“Since September 13, 2023, the SFC [Securities and Futures Commission] has suddenly made a series of accusations against our platform’s operating model and promotional methods, which we vehemently resent as they were made without investigation or review.”In response to the blocking of their platform, JPEX has encouraged users to utilize virtual private network (VPN) services to access their services. The exchange sought to reassure its user base, stating: “Here, we strongly reiterate that, even in the face of such oppression and unfair treatment, our platform will continue to operate as usual. Users can log into our mobile application or operate on our web version using VPN applications like Surfshark.”The investigation into JPEX was initiated following warnings from the SFC regarding false or misleading statements made on social media by crypto influencers and the trading platform relative to a trading license application.On Sunday, JPEX announced that it had suspended certain operations and increased withdrawal fees due to an ongoing liquidity crisis, triggering an influx of complaints from users. As of Monday night, the police had received a total of 1,641 complaints, with claims amounting to approximately HK$1.19 billion ($152 million) in assets involved, as revealed during a police briefing on Tuesday.DAO Stakeholders Dividend PlanIn response to these developments, JPEX unveiled plans for a “DAO Stakeholders Dividend Plan.” Under this initiative, JPEX users will have the opportunity to convert their assets on the platform into DAO stakeholder dividends at a 1:1 ratio.The exchange intends to distribute 49% of the DAO Stakeholder dividends, with an estimated total value of approximately 400,000,000 USDT available for subscription and conversion. Additionally, JPEX plans to offer repurchase options one year and two years after the program’s launch.New users who subscribe to the DAO stakeholder dividends will enjoy double payouts, and they will not be required to bear all the operational responsibilities of the platform. This move is seen as an attempt by JPEX to address the concerns of its user base and navigate the challenges it currently faces.The situation surrounding JPEX remains fluid, with ongoing investigations and regulatory actions continuing to unfold.

Koscom, the technology subsidiary of the nation’s sole securities exchange operator Korea Exchange, has partnered with LG CNS, an information technology service provider, to launch a joint security token platform, according to a Koscom announcement. Task and tech allianceThe collaboration between Koscom and Korean conglomerate LG Group’s affiliate aims to gain a competitive advantage in the increasingly crowded security token market. On Monday, Koscom signed a memorandum of understanding with LG CNS in Seoul to form a task and technology alliance for security token projects.The partnership will combine Koscom’s expertise in building tech-based capital market infrastructure with LG CNS’s blockchain technology to produce fruitful outcomes. The joint project intends to provide distributed ledgers and a joint platform for the issuance and distribution of security tokens. Securities firms operating their own platforms can also choose to use its distributed ledgers. Koscom’s preparationSince last year, Koscom has been conducting research in security token offering and has formed a working group with eight securities firms that have their own security token teams. The working group has been hosting seminars regularly since the second half of last year, and on April 4, Koscom revealed its project plan to 25 other Korean securities firms. LG CNS’s readinessLG CNS has been conducting research and development of security token technologies since last year and has complied with the Korean regulatory framework. The company manages a consortium blockchain network and has completed the development of key technologies for security token services, such as highly secure wallets.Using its corporate blockchain platform Monachain, LG CNS has achieved success in developing multiple projects, such as a pilot for central bank digital currencies involving NH Bank and Woori Bank and a non-fungible token (NFT) trading system for Bithumb Meta, a subsidiary of the major Korean crypto exchange Bithumb.Meanwhile, Koscom will support security token projects of not only securities companies but also fractional investment firms and banks. Currently, Koscom is in talks with relevant entities about building infrastructure.