South Korean police boost crypto team in fight against drug trade

The South Korean Financial Services Commission (FSC) made an official announcement on Friday (KST) stating that "domestic securities firms brokering spot bitcoin ETFs that are listed on overseas markets may be considered a violation of the government's stance on virtual assets and the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act." This stance refers to a press release published on Dec. 13, 2017 that outlined the government’s conclusion that virtual assets must be dealt with carefully.Photo by Lauren Seo on UnsplashFuture possibilityHowever, this statement is not to be interpreted as a complete dismissal of the possibility that South Korea could adopt the ETF. The agency added that it would look into the issue thanks to a more stable regulatory landscape sweeping the country following the implementation of regulations on virtual assets like the Virtual Asset User Protection Act. Authorities are also taking into consideration the fact that other countries like the U.S. are adopting a more open stance. Market downturnFollowing the announcement, stocks related to the ETF in the South Korean market – which had surged on the news of a spot bitcoin ETF listing on the U.S. stock market a day ago – saw share prices drop within a day. As of 10:04 a.m. on Friday, Woori Technology Investment was trading at KRW 7,650 ($5.82), down 4.61 percent from the day before, and Hanwha Investment & Securities was down 9.09 percent to KRW 4,000. Both of these firms hold stakes in Dunamu, the operator of South Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchange Upbit.

Japan is preparing to shift oversight of crypto assets from its payments rulebook to its main securities law, a move that would treat digital tokens more squarely as investment products rather than payment tools, according to a new report from the country’s financial regulator. In a working-group paper on crypto asset regulation released Dec. 10, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) said it plans to bring “crypto assets” under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) instead of the Payment Services Act (PSA), as reported by local outlet CoinPost. The agency framed the change as an effort to strengthen investor protection as more households buy digital assets for investment purposes.Photo by Alessio Ferretti on UnsplashCrypto distinct from traditional securitiesThe regulatory perimeter itself would not expand. The FSA intends to keep using the PSA’s existing definition of “crypto assets,” while leaving non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and stablecoins outside the scope of the new framework. Under FIEA, crypto assets would be carved out as a distinct class separate from traditional securities, reflecting the fact that they generally do not confer legal claims such as dividends or interest payments. That distinction is already shaping how firms attempt to expand the economic utility of crypto assets. The move toward a clearer rulebook also arrives as market participants look for ways to construct return-generating mechanisms for assets that do not produce steady income on their own. Hong Kong–based Animoca Brands has partnered with Solv Protocol to provide Japanese institutions access to a Bitcoin-backed wrapper, according to Cointelegraph. The product is structured to generate returns in the 4% to 12% range for large holders, effectively layering yield on top of a token that otherwise provides no ongoing income. Rising retail demandThe regulator's report also details how deeply crypto has penetrated Japan’s retail market. As of October 2025, accounts at domestically registered crypto-asset exchanges had climbed past 13 million, with user deposits topping 5 trillion yen (about $32 billion). Roughly 70% of account holders fell into annual income brackets below 7 million yen (around $45,000), and more than 80% of individual accounts held less than 100,000 yen (about $640). The FSA said 86.6% of trading was driven by expectations of long-term price gains, indicating that most users view crypto primarily as an investment vehicle rather than a means of payment. Against that backdrop, the working group concluded that FIEA is a better fit than the PSA, which is geared toward payment services and anti-money-laundering (AML) controls. Shifting to the securities law would give regulators clearer authority to impose disclosure standards, govern conduct in the market, and levy penalties for unfair trading practices, the report said. The proposed framework would place heavier disclosure obligations on token issuances and initial exchange offerings (IEOs). Issuers or the listing exchanges would be required to provide key information to investors, and, in cases where an issuer does not have audited financial statements, offerings would be subject to investment limits. Crypto exchanges would face stronger due diligence requirements, tighter cybersecurity expectations, and broader insider-trading restrictions. Those rules would not only apply to employees at trading platforms but also to issuers and other insiders around listing events. Rules split for CEXs and DEXsCentralized exchanges (CEXs) would be supervised largely in line with securities firms. That would include requirements to maintain reserves or insurance to protect customer assets and expanded oversight of wallet-service providers connected to those platforms. Decentralized exchanges (DEXs), which have no central operator, would not be brought under the same regime. Instead, the FSA is proposing lighter, perimeter-based rules focused on disclosures by wallet providers and interface operators, coupled with efforts to warn users about the specific risks of trading on DEXs.  Industry participants, meanwhile, have raised concerns that licensed exchanges may face higher compliance costs in the near term as they adapt to the new regime.  Moving forward, the FSA is expected to refine the framework with an eye toward submitting a bill to the ordinary Diet session in the new year. 

DBS Bank, a key player in Singapore's banking sector, has unveiled a substantial reorganization of its operational framework, which includes its digital asset exchange business, DDEx. Global Financial Markets (GFM)Effective March 1 DBS will consolidate its equity capital markets, brokerage arm DBS Vickers and the DBS Digital Exchange (DDEx) into its Treasury Markets division. In doing so, it will form a unified entity known as Global Financial Markets (GFM). This amalgamation underscores DBS's intention to merge conventional financial services with the burgeoning digital assets landscape, contributing towards a new era of financial integration and innovation. DDEx, a members-only exchange facilitating exposure to digital assets for accredited investors, financial institutions and family offices, will now operate under the umbrella of GFM. This strategic integration aims to leverage the synergies between traditional and digital financial spheres, positioning DBS at the forefront of transformative financial solutions.Photo by Meriç Dağlı on UnsplashDDEx founder retiresThe announcement of this restructuring coincides with the retirement of Eng-Kwok Seat Moey, a revered figure within DBS, whose 36-year tenure has left an indelible mark on the bank's trajectory. Eng-Kwok's contributions to DBS's equity capital markets and the development of Singapore's REITs industry are widely recognized, as is her pivotal role in spearheading the DBS Digital Asset Ecosystem (DAE) and the founding of DDEx. Under her stewardship, DBS has consistently ranked atop regional league tables, driving innovation and excellence in Singapore's financial landscape. Eng-Kwok's legacy extends to her instrumental role in establishing the DBS Digital Asset Ecosystem (DAE), a pioneering initiative offering a spectrum of digital asset services, including origination, distribution, custody and trading. Andrew Ng, the current head of Treasury Markets, assumes leadership of the newly formed GFM group. His expertise will be instrumental in navigating the complexities of global finance, blending traditional market mechanisms with the innovative potential of digital assets. Clifford Lee, renowned for his proficiency in fixed income, will expand his purview to encompass investment banking, overseeing both debt and equity capital markets alongside his responsibilities at DBS Vickers. Capitalizing on complementary strengthsThe consolidation of DBS's financial arms not only aims to streamline operations but also seeks to capitalize on the complementary strengths of traditional and digital financial domains. Piyush Gupta, CEO of DBS, expressed confidence in the merger's ability to unlock greater synergies, enabling the bank to deliver a comprehensive suite of financial solutions to its clientele. DDEx has been at the forefront of digital asset trading in Asia, witnessing significant growth in bitcoin and ether transactions in recent years. Notably, DDEx has explored avenues such as security token offerings (STOs) and it has ventured into the metaverse realm with investments in projects like The Sandbox. Additionally, DBS's Chinese subsidiary launched a digital yuan merchant solution, facilitating payments in the new currency for mainland enterprises. As DBS embarks on this latest transformation, the integration of digital assets into its core financial operations underscores its interest in innovation within a rapidly evolving financial landscape.