đź“° Table Of Contents
- 1 Japan’s Leading Role in Crypto Payments
- 1.1 Slash Facilitates Over $10,000,000 in Transactions
- 1.2 Compliance with Stringent Crypto Regulations
- 1.3 Future Plans for Crypto Adoption
- 1.4 Acceptance by Major Retailers
- 1.5 Government Support for Crypto Development
- 1.6 Regulation of Stablecoins and Virtualization Initiatives
- 1.7 Shift in Investment Rules and Tokenized Bond Launches
- 1.8 Partnerships for Stablecoin Listing
Japan’s Leading Role in Crypto Payments
Japan has emerged as a global leader in compliant crypto payment services, a recent report from independent finance news outlet FinanceFeeds has revealed.
Slash Facilitates Over $10,000,000 in Transactions
Japanese Web3 payments app Slash has facilitated over $10,000,000 in transactions among 3,000 merchants, underscoring its prominent position in the market.
Compliance with Stringent Crypto Regulations
Slash’s compliance with Japan’s stringent requirements for crypto service providers has solidified its position as a leading payments app in the country. The app allows only for crypto-to-crypto swaps, circumventing the prohibitive taxation policy on “miscellaneous income,” the current legal category regulating cryptocurrencies in Japan.
Future Plans for Crypto Adoption
Looking ahead, Slash is set to launch a credit card linked to users’ digital wallets, aimed at further facilitating large-scale compliant adoption of crypto throughout Japan.
Acceptance by Major Retailers
Several top retailers in Japan, including department store chain Marui, leading electronics retailer Yamada Denki, and e-commerce giant Mercari, have embraced Bitcoin as a form of tender, highlighting the widespread acceptance of cryptocurrency in the country.
Government Support for Crypto Development
Japanese lawmakers have demonstrated overall support for cryptocurrencies as a crucial component of fintech development. Both the central bank and the Financial Services Agency have provided clear guidance to businesses utilizing blockchain elements such as stablecoins and DAOs.
Regulation of Stablecoins and Virtualization Initiatives
Japan has implemented strict regulations on stablecoins, with only authorized financial institutions being permitted to issue them. Moreover, the virtualization of cities, such as the effort by the city of Kochi to virtualize on the Japanese Start Land metaverse application, demonstrates the country’s innovative approach to embracing new technologies.
Shift in Investment Rules and Tokenized Bond Launches
Recent developments also indicate a potential shift in investment rules, as hinted by the Ministry of Economy, regarding the ability of venture capital firms to hold crypto, signaling a crucial step in diversifying investment opportunities in the industry. Furthermore, major financial institutions in Japan, including Mitsubishi UFJ, Rakuten, and Mizuho, have announced the launch of tokenized bonds, representing an innovative form of loan that pays out interest in cryptocurrency, reflecting the evolving financial landscape in the country.
Partnerships for Stablecoin Listing
Yesterday, USDC issuer Circle announced a partnership with domestic exchange Coincheck to secure the stablecoin’s first listing in Japan, further expanding the availability and accessibility of cryptocurrency in the country.