Bithumb achieves top score in FIU anti-money laundering compliance evaluation

Crypto.com unlocks regulated expansion through UK FCA licensing awardSingapore’s Crypto.com has obtained an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom. The approval complements the platform’s existing status as a registered crypto-asset business, a milestone achieved in August 2022.Photo by Robert Tudor on UnsplashSet to expand product offeringIn a press release published to its website on Monday, the company outlined that the EMI license represents a pivotal step for the firm, empowering the exchange to issue and manage electronic money. This expansion goes beyond its initial crypto-asset business focus, which concentrated primarily on compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) regulations.The regulatory nod came after Crypto.com underwent a comprehensive examination of its business and compliance practices, ensuring alignment with the stringent AML and CTF requirements in the UK.With this authorization in hand, Crypto.com is poised to introduce a range of e-money products tailored for the UK market. This move aligns the company with other cryptocurrency firms like Coinbase and Gemini, which have previously secured similar licenses.Notwithstanding that, while some other well-known platforms have struggled with recently introduced rules related to the marketing of crypto products and services in the UK, Crypto.com’s UK subsidiary company, FORIS DAX UK LIMITED, had successfully registered with the FCA in October.Building out global expansionWhile a trend has emerged in 2023 for crypto platforms to expand within regional markets around the world beyond the United States, Crypto.com has been following a global strategy for some time already. Last month, CRO DAX Middle East, a subsidiary company of Crypto.com, secured a license from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai to offer regulated virtual asset services.Earlier this year, Patrick Yoon, General Manager of Crypto.com’s Korean business outlined plans for expansion within that market, including the aspiration to obtain the banking relationship required in order to conduct virtual asset trading business in South Korea.Dutch licensing successEarlier in July, Crypto.com received approval from the Dutch central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), to extend its cryptocurrency services in the Netherlands.This recognition places Crypto.com among the 36 cryptocurrency-related businesses approved by the Dutch central bank, joining major industry players like Coinbase Europe, eToro and Bitstamp. Notably, this approval followed Binance’s inability to secure registration in the Netherlands, leading to its exit from the country.Expressing enthusiasm about this achievement, Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com, emphasized the importance of the UK market for their business. He stated:“The UK has and continues to be a hugely important market for our business and the greater industry. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with a global regulatory leader in the FCA in our collective pursuit of responsible innovation for crypto.”Crypto.com’s global expansion strategy includes regulatory approvals in Singapore, France, Italy, Dubai and Australia. However, in a strategic shift, the platform discontinued its institutional exchange service for professional customers in the United States in June. Citing a decline in demand, this move aligns with the broader market conditions in the U.S., influenced by ongoing legal actions against major exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase.

Japan’s financial authority has decided to regulate cryptocurrencies under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, classifying them as financial instruments. According to a report by The Asahi Shimbun, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) intends to include this reclassification in an amendment scheduled for submission during next year’s regular Diet session. Under the revised framework, local crypto exchanges will be required to provide detailed disclosures on the 105 tokens they handle. This includes the existence of issuers, underlying technologies such as blockchain, and price volatility risks. The proposed regulations will also subject these classified cryptocurrencies to insider trading rules. Issuers and individuals affiliated with exchanges will be prohibited from trading based on material non-public information, such as the suspension of trading or an issuer’s potential bankruptcy.Photo by Karola G on PexelsToken coverage in JapanAlthough the regulatory list contains 105 tokens, data from the Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association (JVCEA), cited in a New Economy report, indicates that Japanese exchanges currently list 119 cryptocurrencies, leaving unclear how the remaining digital assets will be regulated.  To enhance investor protection, the FSA will mandate specific disclosure requirements for issuers that use token launches for fundraising. These entities will be required to report on their latest business activities and future issuance plans annually. This legislative push follows a discussion paper published by the FSA in April, which proposed dividing crypto assets into two distinct categories. The first category includes tokens issued for raising capital, while the second comprises established cryptocurrencies that are not primarily used for issuer fundraising, citing Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as primary examples. Tax cut from 55% to 20%In parallel with these regulatory changes, the FSA plans to request tax reforms similar to those applied to traditional stock trading. Under Japan’s current tax code, taxes on cryptocurrency gains can reach as high as 55%. The agency proposes reducing this rate to a flat 20% in next year’s tax reform. Responding to the news on X, Changpeng Zhao, the founder and former CEO of Binance, welcomed Japan’s initiative to lower crypto taxes. However, he noted that the proposed 20% rate remains high compared to other jurisdictions, many of which do not levy capital gains taxes on crypto at all. Crypto ETF CFDs set to closeThe government’s move to tighten regulations is already reshaping the financial product landscape. One immediate impact is visible in contracts for difference (CFDs) linked to crypto ETFs. As reported by FinanceFeeds, IG Securities, the Japanese subsidiary of the London-listed IG Group, announced changes to its offerings. The firm will stop accepting new orders for CFDs tied to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust and its Ethereum equivalent on Dec. 1. Open positions are scheduled to be automatically closed on Jan. 31 of next year. If clients do not settle their holdings prior to this date, the final settlement will be calculated based on the official closing price of that final day. This discontinuation adheres to an FSA decision that derivatives referencing Bitcoin or Ether ETFs must be regulated as crypto-related derivatives rather than standard ETF products. These instruments, now under the crypto-related derivative classification, fall under stricter rules regarding investor protection, operational oversight, and licensing. Japan’s latest regulatory and tax initiatives reflect a broader effort to bring clarity and investor protection to the country’s growing crypto market. As the framework evolves, the industry will be watching how the new rules influence participation and market structure. With lower taxes and stricter oversight on the horizon, both investors and exchanges may need to adjust, potentially reshaping liquidity and Japan’s overall appeal while prompting trading platforms to rethink their product offerings. 

Duncan Chiu, a member of Hong Kong's Legislative Council, has expressed concerns over the stringent regulations imposed on cryptocurrency exchanges by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). In an opinion piece for the Hong Kong Economic Journal, Chiu argued that these rigorous standards have deterred major global exchanges from entering the Hong Kong market, undermining confidence in the region's commitment to developing Web3 technologies. He highlighted the recent withdrawal of license applications by prominent exchanges such as OKX, Gate.io and HTX as indicative of the flaws in the current regulatory framework.Photo by Chapman Chow on UnsplashLicensing system and industry developmentChiu criticized the fragmented approach to policy development for Hong Kong’s virtual asset market, noting that various aspects like VATP (Virtual Asset Trading Platforms), stablecoin issuance and virtual asset over-the-counter trading are managed by different departments without strategic industry consideration. He also mentioned feedback from license applicants who feel that the authorities lack a forward-thinking vision for fintech and are applying traditional financial principles too rigidly to the dynamic and innovative sector of Web3. Furthermore, Chiu pointed out the disconnect between the industry and regulators, particularly in the experience required of management in licensed crypto operations versus the practical experience of regulators in Web3, complicating effective communication and progress.