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In a global effort to bolster regulatory control over the cryptocurrency sector, Asian nations feature prominently among 17 jurisdictions globally, who have implemented tighter cryptocurrency regulations in 2023. That’s the view expressed by blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs in a report published on Monday.Photo by CARTER SAUNDERS on Unsplash2023 notable for regulatory tighteningThe increased scrutiny comes on the heels of several crypto meltdowns in 2022, including the collapse of major platforms like Terraform Labs, Celsius, BlockFi and FTX, resulting in a market rout that wiped out trillions of dollars in value. The subsequent year witnessed an extraordinary surge in regulatory measures globally, with governments prioritizing consumer protection in the volatile crypto space. TRM Labs' report indicates that the jurisdictions strengthening consumer protection measures accounted for 80% of the 21 studied, representing 70% of global exposure to cryptocurrencies. As the crypto ecosystem grappled with the aftermath of the FTX collapse at the beginning of 2023, regulatory actions surged, shaping a transformative year for the industry. The TRM Labs report emphasizes that nearly half of the jurisdictions tightening crypto regulations in 2023 prioritized increasing consumer protection measures. Additionally, international organizations, including the G20, Financial Action Task Force, Financial Stability Board, International Monetary Fund and the International Organization of Securities Commissions, played a role in shaping global frameworks and policy recommendations for cryptocurrency regulation. While prominent regulatory moves included the European Union's implementation of the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA) in June, Asian countries were particularly active in rolling out regulatory controls and measures relative to digital asset markets.  Stronger measures in SingaporeSingapore, recognized as an early adopter of crypto regulation, took significant steps in November to curb retail speculation in cryptocurrencies. The city-state’s central bank and financial regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), brought in these restrictions following a year-long public consultation process, together with a review of cryptocurrency platforms. The country set itself apart from other jurisdictions by becoming one of the first to finalize rules governing stablecoins. That regulatory action included the establishment of a comprehensive framework relative to stablecoin operations. South Korea and Australia increased scrutiny of the cryptocurrency sector, contributing to the global trend of regulatory tightening. Hong Kong licensingHong Kong introduced a new licensing regime for centralized crypto exchanges, aligning with its goal to become a global hub for virtual asset businesses. Following its major initiative in October 2022 to support the virtual asset sector, it has since implemented a mandatory licensing regime for centralized crypto exchanges, allowing them to accept retail investors. Eleven companies, including OKX, one of the largest exchanges by trading volume, have submitted applications for the license in the city. In December, Hong Kong followed Singapore’s lead, by proposing stringent rules for stablecoin issuers, prohibiting unlicensed companies from selling stablecoins to the city's retail investors through regulated channels or actively marketing their tokens within the city. These rules are considered challenging for stablecoin issuers and may potentially deter major stablecoin operators like Tether and USDC from entering the city, according to experts. As Hong Kong solidifies its regulatory stance, it positions itself alongside other major players, contributing to the global evolution of cryptocurrency oversight.

UK-headquartered decentralized mobile network project World Mobile has teamed up with PT Professional Telekomunikasi Indonesia, better known as Protelindo, to launch a blockchain-based 5G mobile network. Founded in 2003, Protelindo is an Indonesian digital infrastructure firm that specializes in fiber optic networks and telecommunications towers. It owns and operates a large network of these towers in Indonesia, leasing them out to various mobile service operators.  The two firms acquired Combined Space Technologies (CST) earlier this year as a joint venture. CST had been originally founded in Cambridge in the UK, backed by Deutsche Telekom to the tune of $70 million. Successful demos of its proprietary technology had been completed in conjunction with British Telecom (BT) and Deutsche Telekom before World Mobile and Protelindo decided to purchase the company.Photo by Alessio Soggetti on UnsplashWorld Mobile StratosphericIn a press release published on Aug. 8, World Mobile outlined that through CST, the two companies have launched World Mobile Stratospheric.  World Mobile asserts that the establishment of this stratospheric connectivity platform is “unprecedented.” The project implicates the use of fixed-wing drone aircraft, which it proposes to use to host 500,000 simultaneous 5G handset connections while flying at altitudes of up to 20,000 meters. World Mobile Group Chief Business Officer (CBO), Charles Barnett, told Cointelegraph that each drone can provide wireless network coverage over an area of 15,000 square kilometers. Each aircraft will host 450 individually steerable beams in order to deliver the service within a defined geographical area. Low latencyBarnett outlined that the technology can achieve just six milliseconds of total latency with the service having the capability of providing 5G service up to 18 times cheaper per gigabyte by comparison with other similar technologies. It’s thought that the service will compete with space/satellite-based telecoms systems such as Elon Musk’s Starlink. While Starlink has brought internet to corners of the globe that were otherwise underserved, it has been criticized in terms of its interference with astronomy, increased space debris and the potential for atmospheric pollution. Additionally, the low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite-based service has much higher overheads. In comparison with World Mobile Stratopheric’s six millisecond latency, Starlink is much higher at 47 milliseconds. The system delivers directly to the consumer’s device, whereas Starlink is delivered to a satellite dish with significant cost implications for the user. Stratomast, the hydrogen-powered drone aircraft, can stay up for between six and nine days and produces zero emissions. While Starlink and World Mobile Stratospheric may compete, Barnett believes that Starlink is the better choice when delivering service to remote areas that lack any cellular connectivity at all, whereas Stratospheric is the best option in areas with a higher density of mobile users. Micky Watkins, CEO of World Mobile, said that the partnership proves how blockchain can unlock new models for global connectivity. He added:“It aligns infrastructure deployment with community participation and makes decentralized telecom not just possible, but scalable.” Watkins believes that by combining advanced aerospace technology with token-driven economics, the project is building a network that connects more people, faster, in an economically efficient and environmentally sound manner. 

Non-Fiat Crypto Exchanges in Korea Urge Banks for Real-Name AccountsThe Virtual Asset Exchange Association (VXA) made an announcement today regarding its recent due diligence request sent to 12 South Korean banks, as reported by local news outlet Digital Today. These banks have not yet entered into contracts to provide real-name deposit and withdrawal accounts to cryptocurrency exchanges.VXA is a group comprised of representatives from ten non-fiat crypto trading platforms in the country. Among its members, eight exchanges–Aprobit, Probit, BTX, Foblgate, GDAC, Flata Exchange, Flybit, and High Block (previously known as Huobi Korea)–participated in the request.Photo by Eduardo Soares on UnsplashPartnerships with banksThe objective of the request is to urge the banks to consider establishing partnerships with competent non-fiat exchanges. The requesters argued that such collaborations would promote fair trading in the market and provide customers with more options. They highlighted the growing presence of the virtual asset trading sector in the capital market.Uneven crypto marketAn official from VXA emphasized the key role played by real-name bank account issuers in creating a healthy environment that addresses the existing monopoly in the Korean crypto market. According to a March report published by the Financial Services Commission, non-fiat crypto trading platforms accounted for only 3 percent of the total Korean crypto market capitalization during the second half of 2022. The remaining 97 percent was attributed to fiat-supporting crypto exchanges.The official further explained that allowing more exchanges to support the trading of the Korean won currency would contribute to shaping a free market while bolstering transparency and investor protection.Legal requirementsEarlier this month, VXA also sought fair due diligence from five Korean banks that have already formed partnerships with fiat-supporting crypto exchanges. In Korea, crypto trading platforms are required by law to obtain real-name accounts from banks in order to provide cash deposit and withdrawal services.