Korea’s Virtual Asset User Protection Act to Take Effect in July Next Year

China Launches Digital Yuan ATMs in Hainan Resort City of SanyaThe latest in a long list of initiatives to bring about further use of China’s digital yuan has seen the introduction of e-CNY ATM machines within the resort city of Sanya on Hainan Island. That’s according to a recent report published by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).Photo by Monstera on PexelsInternational currency exchangeThe introduction of e-CNY foreign exchange machines aims to provide visitors with easy access to digital payments and enhance their experience in the local mobile payments ecosystem. Resembling traditional ATMs, these machines allow tourists to deposit 20 different currencies, including US dollars and euros, and receive a physical card loaded with e-CNY in return.The card can be used for seamless payments at participating merchants with a simple tap. Travelers can also use the machines to top up their e-CNY balance, check transaction records, and manage their funds.This initiative addresses the needs of tourists who often face challenges setting up Chinese mobile wallets, which have become essential for retail, dining, transportation, and shopping. These mobile wallets typically require real-name verification and a local bank account, posing difficulties for foreign visitors.While limited prepaid options have been available in recent years, the e-CNY card now offers a convenient digital payment solution without the need to download a separate app. The machines are currently available in two cities, with the Bank of China (BOC), one of 11 authorized banks for e-CNY, leading the development of these innovative devices.Earlier this year, BOC launched a similar foreign exchange machine at Yiwu International Trade City in Zhejiang province, emphasizing China’s efforts to promote digital currency and facilitate financial accessibility. Both Zhejiang and Hainan have been striving to become attractive destinations for foreign tourists and merchants. In May, administrators within the local government in Jiangsu Province confirmed that they would be launching an initiative to promote use of the digital currency within the local education system.The introduction of these machines aligns with Beijing’s mission to develop and promote its sovereign digital currency, known as the Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP). The project, which began trials in 2019, aimed to enhance financial inclusion and digital finance accessibility for unbanked individuals.Digital yuan internationalizationChina has been actively pursuing the internationalization of the digital yuan, seeking to facilitate yuan-denominated trade and investment, while reducing reliance on the existing global financial system. In May, the BOC entered into a partnership with French financial services firm BNP Paribas that will see the company promote e-CNY to its corporate clients.China’s efforts to promote cross-border use of e-CNY extend to regions like Hong Kong, a key offshore yuan center. A trial of the e-CNY for cross-border payments took place last year, facilitating more than 150 million yuan ($22 million) of cross-border e-CNY transfers in 160 payments, involving 20 commercial banks in Hong Kong, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).As China continues to make inroads where adoption and use of the e-CNY are concerned, these developments signal a significant shift in the way we can expect sovereign currencies to be made available globally.

Shares in Moon Inc. (formerly HK Asia Holdings Limited), a publicly listed Hong Kong-based firm that acts as an investment holding company while engaged in activities such as wholesale and retail sales of prepaid products such as SIM cards, have surged following the company’s symbolic purchase of one Bitcoin (BTC).Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash93% share price increaseThe stock (1723.HK), which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX), closed at HKD 5.50 following Monday’s trading. That represents a 93% increase compared to the closing share price following the previous day’s trading. The share price has settled somewhat following Tuesday’s trading, pulling back 16% to HKD 4.60. However, it jumped again on Feb. 21, closing at HKD 6.48. Bitcoin adoptionIt’s believed that the stock has been influenced by a decision taken by the company to adopt Bitcoin. The firm bought just one Bitcoin. However, the move has led to speculation as to whether Moon Inc. will become the MicroStrategy (now rebranded as “Strategy”) of China.  Michael Saylor’s Strategy has pioneered the use of Bitcoin as a corporate treasury asset. The company has positioned itself as the frontrunner in terms of the corporate adoption of Bitcoin. The company has amassed 471,000 Bitcoin within its reserves. This accounts for 2% of all Bitcoin. With Strategy’s Bitcoin playbook having been well documented, other companies now appear to be following its lead.  In recent weeks, Metaplanet, a Japanese Bitcoin treasury company, has demonstrated that it is pursuing the same strategy, outlining its ambition to build a reserve of 21,000 Bitcoin by 2026. On Feb. 18, it announced a 10-to-1 stock split in an effort to improve liquidity while executing on that overall Bitcoin treasury goal. Metaplanet shares have surged 3,900% over the course of the past 12 months on the back of its Bitcoin treasury pivot. On Feb. 16, Moon Inc. announced the purchase of its first Bitcoin at a unit price of $96,150. In a statement, the company said that the purchase was financed by way of the firm’s “internal resources.” An evolving global financial landscapeThe company’s board noted the increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies in the commercial world, with particular emphasis on the use of Bitcoin as an investment portfolio asset. It believes that Bitcoin acts as a dependable store of value. It added: “The Board believes that this initial investment is symbolic in scale, and marks a significant step toward aligning with the evolving global financial landscape, and would diversify the Group’s investment portfolio and enhance its asset value.” The company’s stock rose significantly last month when details emerged of a 70% stock position in the firm, taken by UTXO Management, in collaboration with Sora Ventures and other investors. Recently appointed board member John Riggins of BTC Inc. said that this recent Bitcoin purchase by Moon Inc. “is more than a transaction.” He stated, “It’s a bold step toward creating a vision for the future of the company.”

Korea Investment and Securities Completes the Construction of Security Token InfrastructureKorea Investment and Securities (KIS) recently announced that it has become the first securities firm in South Korea to successfully establish an infrastructure for security token offerings.Photo by Joshua Sortino on UnsplashReal-world assetsSecurity tokens are a new class of securities that are based on distributed ledger technology, allowing individuals to invest in real-world assets (RWAs) that can be tokenized. Such assets include real estate, ships, airplanes, and artworks.In March, KIS initiated a security token consortium named “Korea Investment ST Friends,” collaborating with Internet-only banks KakaoBank and Toss Bank, AI company Kakao Enterprise, and blockchain developer Open Asset. Since May, the consortium has been diligently working with the principal objective of constructing an infrastructure leveraging distributed ledgers. Consequently, the group has finalized the development and testing of a system that manages the entire trajectory of security token projects, from issuance to liquidation.Cloud systemSpecifically, KIS has built its infrastructure on a cloud network, bearing in mind that the regulatory framework for security tokens is still in development. This cloud system is capable of adapting to regulatory modifications and implementing improvement updates. Moreover, it utilizes an agile development approach to encourage rapid decision-making and productive collaborations, enhancing time efficiency.Compatibility with the traditional systemThe newly established security token infrastructure is also compatible with the traditional security trading system. Achieving this compatibility posed numerous technical challenges as the new system operates on distributed ledgers, whereas the existing one relies on centralized servers.KIS is preparing to file patents for some of the technologies incorporated into the new system. These technologies encompass the payment of dividends through smart contracts, assurance of immediate settlements using deposits on distributed ledgers, and the management and safeguarding of personal information. By demonstrating the infrastructure’s capability and stability, the securities firm aims to gain a technological edge.Choi Seo-ryong, the head of the platform division at KIS, expects the new infrastructure to mark a significant milestone as distributed ledger technology merges with traditional finance. He further mentioned that the securities company will discover blue-chip assets meeting investor needs while committing to the stable establishment of the regulatory framework and the protection of investors.Moving forward, ST Friends will continue to enhance the stability and functionalities of the infrastructure through a series of field tests related to the entire process of security token products. Aiming to construct a security token ecosystem, the group will also concentrate on developing products by collaborating with various firms, including Korean content investment platform Funderful and real estate trading platform Valuemap.