Asia Express | Crypto

Viral “U cards” are quietly onboarding Chinese users to crypto, and the digital yuan can now earn depositors interest at banks. Asia Express. Stablecoins are finding an indirect path into China via payment cards going viral on social media. Locally referred to as U cards, overseas Visa or Mastercards linked to stablecoin balances such as USDT, have surged in popularity on Chinese social platform Xiaohongshu, also known as Little Red Book. Posts explain how to obtain the cards with ease and use them for everyday overseas payments, such as subscriptions to services. Such cards allow users to spend dollar-denominated stablecoins while merchants receive fiat currency, meaning Chinese businesses never directly touch crypto. Conversion is handled by overseas banks or licensed payment institutions, placing the transaction outside Chinas domestic financial rails. Read more

Companies that pivot to Bitcoin treasuries face crackdown in Asia, China doubles down on crypto ban. Asia Express 2025 in review. With the end of the year in sight, Asia Express looks back at some of the most significant developments for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in the region in 2025. The rise of Bitcoin treasury firms was a major development in Asia in 2024, after Japan-based Metaplanet adopted the blueprint popularized by Michael Saylor’s Strategy. In 2025, the model gained a formal label with the firms now known as digital asset treasury companies, or DATs. But for many DATs, the embrace of Bitcoin was really just a last-ditch attempt to revive moribund share prices. Several had little to do with crypto prior to their pivots, and DAT announcements often triggered short-lived stock rallies before prices normalized. Read more

Metaplanet might be underwater, but it’s doubling down on Bitcoin — plus a new survey shows 6 in 10 Singaporeans hold crypto. Asia Express. Japans largest corporate Bitcoin holder, Metaplanet, plans to raise around $135 million to accumulate more BTC, even as the assets price continues to trade below $90,000. The company is choosing to raise capital through issuing preferred shares instead of common stock, which seems to be largely to protect the stock price from tanking any further. Metaplanets share price has already plummeted nearly 60% in the past six months, now standing at 387 JPY (approximately $2.46 USD), according to Google Finance. To avoid further volatility, the company will issue preferred shares with a 4.9% dividend instead of common shares, as per a statement published on Thursday. Read more

Metaplanet might be underwater, but it’s doubling down on Bitcoin — plus a new survey shows 6 in 10 Singaporeans hold crypto. Asia Express. Japans largest corporate Bitcoin holder, Metaplanet, plans to raise approximately $135 million to accumulate more BTC, despite the assets price currently trading below $90,000. The company is choosing to raise capital by issuing preferred shares instead of common stock, which appears to be aimed mainly at protecting the stock price from further decline. Metaplanets share price has already plummeted nearly 60% in the past six months, now standing at 387 yen (approximately $2.46), according to Google Finance. To mitigate further volatility, the company will issue preferred shares with a 4.9% dividend yield instead of common shares, as announced in a statement published on Thursday. Read more

Taiwan’s central bank studying Bitcoin’s inclusion in national reserve, Sony launches DeFi super app for its Ethereum layer 2. Asia Express. Taiwans government will complete an inventory by year-end detailing how much Bitcoin it currently holds through confiscations, Premier Cho Jung-tai said Tuesday during a finance committee.  The central bank will also deliver a formal assessment on whether Bitcoin should be considered as part of Taiwans national reserves. The move comes as lawmakers press the government to clarify how seized crypto is handled and whether Taiwan should follow a growing global trend of treating Bitcoin as a strategic reserve. Read more

Taiwan’s central bank studying Bitcoin’s inclusion in national reserve, Sony launches DeFi super app for its Ethereum layer 2. Asia Express. Taiwans government will complete an inventory by year-end detailing how much Bitcoin it currently holds through confiscations, Premier Cho Jung-tai said Tuesday during a finance committee.  The central bank will also deliver a formal assessment on whether Bitcoin should be considered as part of Taiwans national reserves. The move comes as lawmakers press the government to clarify how seized crypto is handled and whether Taiwan should follow a growing global trend of treating Bitcoin as a strategic reserve. Read more

Crypto influencers charged for shilling “Hong Kong’s FTX.” Philippines senate considers putting government budget on blockchain. Asia Express. Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday formally charged influencers linked to the defunct crypto exchange JPEX. Among those charged are Joseph Lam Chok, a lawyer-turned-influencer, and Chan Yee, a prominent key opinion leader (KOI) in the cryptocurrency community. Prosecutors say they promoted JPEX while either knowing or ignoring that the platform had no approval to operate in Hong Kong. Under Hong Kongs Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance, it is an offense to fraudulently or recklessly induce others to invest in crypto. Six core members of the alleged JPEX group and seven operators of over-the-counter crypto shops were also charged, along with three individuals accused of serving as front account holders. Read more

Crypto influencers charged for shilling “Hong Kong’s FTX.” Philippines senate considers putting government budget on blockchain. Asia Express. Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday formally charged influencers linked to the defunct crypto exchange JPEX. Among those charged are Joseph Lam Chok, a lawyer-turned-influencer, and Chan Yee, a prominent key opinion leader (KOI) in the cryptocurrency community. Prosecutors say they promoted JPEX while either knowing or ignoring that the platform had no approval to operate in Hong Kong. Under Hong Kongs Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance, it is an offense to fraudulently or recklessly induce others to invest in crypto. Six core members of the alleged JPEX group and seven operators of over-the-counter crypto shops were also charged, along with three individuals accused of serving as front account holders. Read more

Crypto influencers charged for shilling “Hong Kong’s FTX.” Philippines senate considers putting government budget on blockchain. Asia Express. Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday formally charged influencers linked to the defunct crypto exchange JPEX. Among those charged are Joseph Lam Chok, a lawyer-turned-influencer, and Chan Yee, a prominent key opinion leader (KOI) in the cryptocurrency community. Prosecutors say they promoted JPEX while either knowing or ignoring that the platform had no approval to operate in Hong Kong. Under Hong Kongs Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance, it is an offense to fraudulently or recklessly induce others to invest in crypto. Six core members of the alleged JPEX group and seven operators of over-the-counter crypto shops were also charged, along with three individuals accused of serving as front account holders. Read more

Crypto influencers charged for shilling “Hong Kong’s FTX.” Philippines senate considers putting government budget on blockchain. Asia Express. Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday formally charged influencers linked to the defunct crypto exchange JPEX. Among those charged are Joseph Lam Chok, a lawyer-turned-influencer, and Chan Yee, a prominent key opinion leader (KOI) in the cryptocurrency community. Prosecutors say they promoted JPEX while either knowing or ignoring that the platform had no approval to operate in Hong Kong. Under Hong Kongs Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance, it is an offense to fraudulently or recklessly induce others to invest in crypto. Six core members of the alleged JPEX group and seven operators of over-the-counter crypto shops were also charged, along with three individuals accused of serving as front account holders. Read more

Crypto influencers charged for shilling “Hong Kong’s FTX.” Philippines senate considers putting government budget on blockchain. Asia Express. Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday formally charged influencers linked to the defunct crypto exchange JPEX. Among those charged are Joseph Lam Chok, a lawyer-turned-influencer, and Chan Yee, a prominent key opinion leader (KOI) in the cryptocurrency community. Prosecutors say they promoted JPEX while either knowing or ignoring that the platform had no approval to operate in Hong Kong. Under Hong Kongs Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance, it is an offense to fraudulently or recklessly induce others to invest in crypto. Six core members of the alleged JPEX group and seven operators of over-the-counter crypto shops were also charged, along with three individuals accused of serving as front account holders. Read more

Crypto influencers charged for shilling “Hong Kong’s FTX.” Philippines senate considers putting government budget on blockchain. Asia Express. Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday formally charged influencers linked to the defunct crypto exchange JPEX. Among those charged are Joseph Lam Chok, a lawyer-turned-influencer, and Chan Yee, a prominent key opinion leader (KOI) in the cryptocurrency community. Prosecutors say they promoted JPEX while either knowing or ignoring that the platform had no approval to operate in Hong Kong. Under Hong Kongs Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance, it is an offense to fraudulently or recklessly induce others to invest in crypto. Six core members of the alleged JPEX group and seven operators of over-the-counter crypto shops were also charged, along with three individuals accused of serving as front account holders. Read more

China’s central bank boss really, really doesn’t like stablecoins and crypto, Japanese yen comes to DeFi: Asia Express. China has finally put rumors to rest following a speech by Peoples Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng at an annual financial conference in Beijing. After Hong Kongs stablecoin licensing regime took effect in August, several companies including some from mainland China reportedly lined up to apply for licenses in the city. The move had fueled speculation that Beijing might be preparing to ease its long-standing crypto ban. However, Pan made clear that no such shift is underway. Referring to the series of prohibitions rolled out since 2017, he said the existing policies remain in effect. Read more

China’s central bank boss really, really doesn’t like stablecoins and crypto, Japanese yen comes to DeFi: Asia Express. China has finally put rumors to rest following a speech by Peoples Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng at an annual financial conference in Beijing. After Hong Kongs stablecoin licensing regime took effect in August, several companies including some from mainland China reportedly lined up to apply for licenses in the city. The move had fueled speculation that Beijing might be preparing to ease its long-standing crypto ban. However, Pan made clear that no such shift is underway. Referring to the series of prohibitions rolled out since 2017, he said the existing policies remain in effect. Read more

China’s central bank boss really, really doesn’t like stablecoins and crypto, Japanese yen comes to DeFi: Asia Express. China has finally put rumors to rest following a speech by Peoples Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng at an annual financial conference in Beijing. After Hong Kongs stablecoin licensing regime took effect in August, several companies including some from mainland China reportedly lined up to apply for licenses in the city. The move had fueled speculation that Beijing might be preparing to ease its long-standing crypto ban. However, Pan made clear that no such shift is underway. Referring to the series of prohibitions rolled out since 2017, he said the existing policies remain in effect. Read more

China’s central bank boss really, really doesn’t like stablecoins and crypto, Japanese yen comes to DeFi: Asia Express. China has finally put rumors to rest following a speech by Peoples Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng at an annual financial conference in Beijing. After Hong Kongs stablecoin licensing regime took effect in August, several companies including some from mainland China reportedly lined up to apply for licenses in the city. The move had fueled speculation that Beijing might be preparing to ease its long-standing crypto ban. However, Pan made clear that no such shift is underway. Referring to the series of prohibitions rolled out since 2017, he said the existing policies remain in effect. Read more

China’s central bank boss really, really doesn’t like stablecoins and crypto, Japanese yen comes to DeFi: Asia Express. China has finally put rumors to rest following a speech by Peoples Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng at an annual financial conference in Beijing. After Hong Kongs stablecoin licensing regime took effect in August, several companies including some from mainland China reportedly lined up to apply for licenses in the city. The move had fueled speculation that Beijing might be preparing to ease its long-standing crypto ban. However, Pan made clear that no such shift is underway. Referring to the series of prohibitions rolled out since 2017, he said the existing policies remain in effect. Read more

China’s central bank boss really, really doesn’t like stablecoins and crypto, Japanese yen comes to DeFi: Asia Express. China has finally put rumors to rest following a speech by Peoples Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng at an annual financial conference in Beijing. After Hong Kongs stablecoin licensing regime took effect in August, several companies including some from mainland China reportedly lined up to apply for licenses in the city. The move had fueled speculation that Beijing might be preparing to ease its long-standing crypto ban. However, Pan made clear that no such shift is underway. Referring to the series of prohibitions rolled out since 2017, he said the existing policies remain in effect. Read more

China’s central bank boss really, really doesn’t like stablecoins and crypto, Japanese yen comes to DeFi: Asia Express. China has finally put rumors to rest following a speech by Peoples Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng at an annual financial conference in Beijing. After Hong Kongs stablecoin licensing regime took effect in August, several companies including some from mainland China reportedly lined up to apply for licenses in the city. The move had fueled speculation that Beijing might be preparing to ease its long-standing crypto ban. However, Pan made clear that no such shift is underway. Referring to the series of prohibitions rolled out since 2017, he said the existing policies remain in effect. Read more

China’s central bank boss really, really doesn’t like stablecoins and crypto, Japanese yen comes to DeFi: Asia Express. China has finally put rumors to rest following a speech by Peoples Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng at an annual financial conference in Beijing. After Hong Kongs stablecoin licensing regime took effect in August, several companies including some from mainland China reportedly lined up to apply for licenses in the city. The move had fueled speculation that Beijing might be preparing to ease its long-standing crypto ban. However, Pan made clear that no such shift is underway. Referring to the series of prohibitions rolled out since 2017, he said the existing policies remain in effect. Read more