Japan’s Financial Services Agency is moving to ease restrictions on cryptocurrency investments, signalling a major shift in regulatory policy. The agency is preparing to lift the existing ban on crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bringing Japan in line with markets like the United States and Hong Kong. In addition, cryptocurrencies may soon be treated similarly to traditional securities, paving the way for wider institutional adoption.
The regulator is also considering significant tax cuts, potentially lowering the maximum rate from 55% to 20%. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to strengthen investor protections by requiring virtual asset firms to provide greater transparency. A closed-door study session with market experts will assess whether Japan’s existing regulatory framework can support these changes.
Despite the easing stance, Japan’s financial authorities remain cautious, enforcing strict compliance measures to clamp down on unlicensed crypto operations. Recently, the FSA ordered Google and Apple to remove unregistered exchanges from their platforms. As Japan adapts to the global shift towards Bitcoin, its evolving policies could reshape the country’s crypto landscape in the coming years.
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Hong Kong has officially recognised cryptocurrency as proof of assets for investment immigration, approving two cases where applicants used Bitcoin and Ethereum to meet the HK$30 million requirement. The latest approval, confirmed on 7 February, marks a significant step in integrating digital assets into the region’s financial and immigration policies.
The first case occurred in October 2024, when a Bitcoin holder successfully proved their wealth for residency. An Ethereum holder has followed suit, with both applicants coming from mainland China. Reports indicate that Invest Hong Kong, the government agency overseeing investment immigration, took a month to review the first case before approving it.
Despite this recognition, it remains uncertain whether direct cryptocurrency investments or crypto ETFs will count towards the required HK$30 million investment within six months of approval. Officials have specified that applicants must store their digital assets securely in cold wallets or on major exchanges such as Binance. With two more applicants under review, Hong Kong appears to be paving the way for broader crypto acceptance in its financial landscape.
Russia’s telecoms watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has blocked access to BestChange, one of the largest crypto over-the-counter aggregators in Eastern Europe. While the regulator has not provided an official reason, the platform has been added to the list of banned websites. BestChange’s legal team is already working to restore access, though no details on the ban’s cause have been disclosed.
It is not the first time BestChange has faced restrictions. It was first blocked in 2017 when a court in St Petersburg ruled that Bitcoin was a monetary surrogate, making enforcement difficult due to the blockchain’s irreversible transactions. Although that ban was lifted in 2018, Roskomnadzor imposed restrictions again in 2019, only to remove them months later.
The latest ban follows Russia’s recent law restricting crypto mining and digital asset advertisements. Under these new rules, advertisements for exchanges, mining, smart contracts, and wallet-tracking services are prohibited. Major platforms such as Yandex have already adjusted their policies, tightening restrictions on crypto-related promotions.
The University of Austin is making history as the first US university to establish a dedicated Bitcoin investment fund. With a $5 million allocation from its $200 million endowment, the university sees Bitcoin as a long-term asset alongside traditional investments like stocks and real estate.
Chad Thevenot, senior vice president for advancement, confirmed the university’s commitment to holding Bitcoin for at least five years. The initiative, first announced in May, is being managed in partnership with Bitcoin financial services firm Unchained, which is responsible for securing the fund’s holdings.
While Austin is the first to launch a dedicated Bitcoin fund, other universities have already shown interest in crypto. Emory University recently disclosed a $15.1 million Bitcoin investment, while Stanford’s Blyth Fund allocated 7% of its portfolio to Bitcoin and later invested in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF. As institutional adoption grows, Bitcoin’s role in university endowments appears to be expanding.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has saved US taxpayers $36.7 billion, sparking fresh calls for blockchain technology to bring transparency to government spending. According to Doge-tracker data, this represents just a fraction of Musk’s goal to cut $2 trillion in spending. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong praised the initiative, arguing that a blockchain-based treasury could provide real-time oversight of financial transactions.
In a recent breakthrough, DOGE identified a $100 billion loophole in government spending linked to entitlement payments to individuals without valid identification. Musk described this as ‘utterly insane,’ estimating at least half of these payments could be fraudulent. A new agreement with the US Treasury aims to close these gaps by enforcing stricter payment tracking and updating the “DO-NOT-PAY” list more frequently.
Crypto experts believe adopting blockchain for the US Treasury could position the country as a leader in financial transparency and innovation. Jean Rausis of Smardex stressed that any such system must remain decentralised to be truly effective. DOGE’s work is expected to conclude on 4 July 2026, with a plan to deliver a leaner, more efficient government in time for the US’s 250th Independence anniversary.
The Central African Republic made waves on 10 February by announcing the launch of its meme coin, CAR. The news came directly from President Faustin-Archange Touadéra’s official X account, presenting the token as an experiment to unite people and boost national development. The meme coin, launched on the Solana-based Pump.fun platform, saw its value surge rapidly as traders rushed to invest in what was described as the first-ever national meme coin.
However, excitement soon turned to scepticism. AI detection tools flagged the president’s announcement video as potentially AI-generated, raising concerns about its authenticity. The project’s official X account was swiftly suspended, and further scrutiny revealed that its domain had been registered just days before the announcement using Namecheap, a budget-friendly provider. Shortly after, Namecheap took the website offline, citing it as an ‘abusive service.’
Despite these red flags, the CAR token initially reached a peak valuation of $527 million before dropping to $460 million. The controversy comes amid a rise in fraudulent memecoin launches, with recent cases involving hacked X accounts of high-profile figures. While there is still no clear confirmation on whether CAR is an official government-backed initiative or an elaborate scam, the crypto community remains on high alert.
Tether and Reelly Tech have joined forces to integrate USDT into real estate transactions across the UAE. Their collaboration aims to enhance efficiency in property deals while educating real estate agents on the benefits of stablecoins. Reelly Tech, which connects over 30,000 agents globally, will work with Tether to launch an interactive educational series on USDT’s role in the market.
The initiative comes as the UAE’s real estate sector experiences record growth, with off-plan sales value reaching 283 billion AED in 2024, a 27.5% increase from the previous year. By positioning USDT as a reliable financial tool, the partnership seeks to provide seamless and secure property transactions for buyers, developers, and agents.
Tether has been expanding its presence in the region, supporting blockchain education and digital asset adoption through partnerships like its collaboration with RAK DAO. CEO Paolo Ardoino highlighted the UAE’s leadership in digital assets, calling it the ideal hub for innovation. In August 2024, Tether also announced plans to launch a stablecoin pegged to the UAE dirham, further strengthening its role in the region’s evolving financial landscape.
Potential candidates for Donald Trump’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets have emerged, with leading crypto executives vying for spots on the advisory council. Figures such as Ripple’s Brad Garlinghouse, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, and Circle’s Jeremy Allaire are reportedly in the running, though the final list remains uncertain.
Trump’s executive order establishing the council was seen as a major shift in the US government’s stance on digital assets. The order also calls for research into a strategic digital asset reserve—potentially including Bitcoin—while explicitly banning the development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
The advisory group will include officials from key government agencies, such as the Treasury and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, but will exclude personnel from the Federal Reserve and the FDIC. The decision was welcomed by crypto advocates, who have accused these institutions of stifling the industry. Meanwhile, the FDIC recently released hundreds of pages of documents revealing its scrutiny of crypto firms, further fuelling debate over regulatory policies.
Czech President Petr Pavel recently signed a bill that exempts cryptocurrency users from paying taxes on long-term gains. Under the new legislation, crypto assets held for over three years will not be taxed when sold, and transactions up to CZK 100,000 (around $4,136) annually won’t require reporting on tax declarations, similar to securities.
The reform is part of the Czech Republic’s Digitalization of the Financial Markets Act, which is nearing its final stages. The bill will be officially published within the next week or two. As a member of the European Union, this move is seen as a significant step for the country’s crypto sector.
In a related development, the Czech National Bank recently approved a proposal by its governor to consider adding assets like Bitcoin to its reserves. However, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde expressed her opposition, stating that she doesn’t foresee Bitcoin entering the reserves of EU central banks.
Coinbase is calling on US regulators to remove barriers preventing banks from offering crypto services, urging them to confirm that state-chartered banks can provide and outsource crypto custody and execution. The exchange sent letters to key regulatory bodies, including the Federal Reserve and the FDIC, requesting clear guidance on banks’ ability to work with crypto firms. Coinbase argues that current laws already permit such partnerships, but regulatory uncertainty is stopping banks from fully engaging in the sector.
The request comes amid an ongoing legal battle between Coinbase and US agencies, with the exchange accusing regulators of deliberately blocking banks from serving crypto businesses. Last year, Coinbase sued the SEC and the FDIC over alleged efforts to cut off essential banking services to the industry. Some reports even suggest the FDIC pressured banks to pause their crypto activities, despite institutions such as BNY Mellon moving forward with digital asset custody services.
With Donald Trump now in office, the crypto community is watching closely for potential regulatory shifts. Coinbase, which has been strengthening ties with the new administration, sees this as an opportunity to push for a more open banking environment for crypto firms. The exchange remains a major player in the market, serving as the primary custodian for US-based Bitcoin ETFs.
