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Taiwan to review crypto ETFs amid developments overseasThe Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) in Taiwan has disclosed its close examination of foreign cryptocurrency futures products and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), signaling a potential shift in its regulatory approach.According to a report in Chinese-language financial newspaper, Taiwan’s Commercial Times, the FSC aims to gradually ease restrictions, aligning its stance with global market conditions.Photo by bordercollie 1712 on UnsplashResponding to crypto ETF activity internationallyThe Taiwanese regulator is carrying out this exploration against the backdrop of significant global developments. The possibility of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates and the upcoming review by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the spot bitcoin ETF in January next year are key factors influencing the FSC’s considerations.The anticipation surrounding the Bitcoin halving in April, combined with speculation that a spot bitcoin ETF approval is imminent in the U.S., have contributed to a 145% surge this year in Bitcoin’s unit price, adding momentum to that regulatory contemplation in Taiwan. There has been speculation that BlackRock, the world’s largest fund manager, is already preparing for the approval of its iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF.Recognizing the potential impact of a Bitcoin index stock fund, contingent on SEC approval and subsequent public investment permission, the FSC is closely monitoring global trends.Closer to home, it emerged last month that Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) is actively exploring the possibility of permitting retail participation in a spot crypto ETF. Domestic investment banks in Taiwan, attuned to these developments, have expressed longstanding interest in introducing similar crypto products.The FSC draws parallels with global counterparts, citing the proliferation of cryptocurrency futures products and ETFs in various markets.Cautious regulatory reviewAdopting a phased approach, the FSC emphasizes self-discipline and standards in relaxing regulations around crypto ETFs. This cautious strategy aligns with Taiwan’s historical prudence, previously observed in the delayed approval of cryptocurrency ETFs and blockchain ETFs due to concerns over volatility and speculative nature.As Taiwan contemplates a significant move into the cryptocurrency ETF domain, industry players remain cautiously optimistic. While some had considered private placements for overseas cryptocurrency ETFs, challenges such as tightened regulatory supervision and concerns over errors and price lags prompted a reevaluation.Earlier this month, ETF issuer ProShares launched its short Ether-linked ETF product on the New York Stock Exchange’s Arca, using the ticker symbol SETH. Spot bitcoin ETFs have been launched in Canada, Germany, Australia and Brazil. The products have also been made available via tax havens such as the Cayman Islands, Jersey, Liechtenstein and Guernsey.The regulator in Taiwan hints at a potential strategy involving “cryptocurrency concept ETFs.” These funds could invest in cryptocurrency-related software and hardware vendors, offering investors exposure to the industry without direct linkage to cryptocurrency price fluctuations.

Yunfeng Financial Group has purchased 10,000 Ethereum (ETH) on the open market for $44 million, the Hong Kong–listed fintech said in a Sept. 2 statement. The company described the move as part of a broader plan to increase exposure to digital assets, joining firms such as Bitmine Immersion Technologies and SharpLink Gaming that have incorporated ETH into corporate treasuries.Photo by DrawKit Illustrations on UnsplashETH backs RWA strategy, inflation hedgeThe acquisition follows Yunfeng’s July outline to expand into Web3, real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, artificial intelligence, and ESG-linked assets aimed at net-zero goals. Yunfeng said ETH could support its Web3 and RWA businesses, help optimize assets, and provide a hedge against traditional currencies. It is also exploring ways to incorporate ETH into insurance products. The RWA market has grown in recent months, with on-chain RWAs totaling $28.19 billion at the time of publication, up 7.37% from a month earlier, according to data from RWA.xyz. Yunfeng noted it may adjust the size of its ETH reserves in line with market conditions, regulation, and its financial position. The company said the purchase falls below Hong Kong Stock Exchange disclosure thresholds: all five percentage ratios—assets, profits, revenue, consideration, and equity capital—remain under 5%. It stated it will meet disclosure requirements if future transactions push holdings beyond the relevant limits. Institutions drive ETH momentumThe announcement comes amid heightened interest in ETH. CryptoRank data show a 30% year-to-date price increase, and Tom Lee, Fundstrat’s head of research and chair of BitMine, has forecast a near-term range of $4,000 to $5,450. He argued that Ethereum is well placed to serve institutional use cases, pointing to its role in hosting more than half of the roughly $250 billion stablecoin supply and its prominence in asset tokenization. Hong Kong continues to position itself as a regional hub for blockchain and digital assets despite Mainland China’s 2021 ban on crypto trading. In a separate development, Fosun Wealth Holdings launched tokenized shares of Sisram Medical, an Israeli med-tech company listed in Hong Kong. The tokens, representing about $328 million in market value, were deployed across Vaulta, Solana (SOL), Ethereum, and Sonic. Fosun said it plans to tokenize additional corporate bonds and shares, without naming issuers or setting a timeline. Other local companies have also disclosed crypto exposure. Linekong Interactive Group reported holdings of 92.07 BTC, 943.63 ETH, and 6,091.7 SOL as of June 30 after purchases in the first half of the year, with cumulative unrealized gains of roughly $7.5 million. Linekong said it views crypto as a long-term investment and may increase its holdings pending board and shareholder approval. 

Assemble Protocol’s Native Token Now Supported by Ceffu’s Custody SolutionAssemble Protocol, a blockchain-based global point integration platform headquartered in Hong Kong, has announced a partnership with Ceffu, previously known as Binance Custody, according to South Korean blockchain news outlet Bonmedia.Ceffu serves as the sole institutional custody partner of Binance Exchange, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange based on trading volume. It started as a custodian platform in 2021 and underwent a rebranding from Binance Custody to Ceffu in February. Ceffu offers support for a diverse range of digital assets, including BTC, ETH, BNB, LTC, and XRP.Photo by rc.xyz NFT gallery on Unsplash$1M minimum depositThrough this collaboration, ASM, the native token of Assemble Protocol, has been included in the list of Ceffu’s supported assets, enabling ASM holders to securely store their tokens in the custodian’s cold storage. The custody service imposes a minimum deposit requirement of $1 million worth of digital assets.Reward points to ASM tokenAssemble Protocol offers users the ability to unify their reward points obtained from various debit and credit cards into ASM. By integrating these scattered rewards, users can conveniently manage and utilize their points through a unified digital currency. The platform also rewards participants within its ecosystem with tokens based on their contributions. The more participants contribute, the greater their rewards. Moreover, advertisers can pay fees to Assemble Protocol to promote their products within the ecosystem.Park Kyu-do, CEO of Assemble Protocol, expressed his appreciation for Ceffu’s support of ASM, emphasizing the security and transparency it offers for storing assets. Park also mentioned that the collaboration with the Binance ecosystem will lead to further expansion of the protocol.Meanwhile, Assemble Protocol plans to launch mobile and desktop versions of Assemble 2.0 later this year.