JAPAN

Enforcement

Mizuho To Pay $1.25mn Fine To US SEC

By Manesh Samtani | 26/07/2018

SEC alleged that Mizuho failed to prevent traders sharing stock buyback information pertaining to its issuer clients with each other and with hedge fund clients.

Market Infrastructure

BOJ Forms Benchmark Reform Committee

By Editors | 24/07/2018

Committee to discuss developing recommendations on JPY interest rate benchmarks, the challenges arising from each and proposals for other solutions.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Japan FSA Reorganises to Meet Fintech Challenge

By Editors | 19/07/2018

Newly created Strategy Development and Management Bureau responsible for financial policy, fintech, cryptocurrencies, money laundering, as well as administraitive duties and inspections at financial institutions.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Bank-backed Crypto Exchange Opens to Retail Investors in Japan

By Garima Chitkara | 19/07/2018

Following limited launch by SBI Holdings in June, cryptocurrency exchange VCTRADE has now begun accepting retail investors; no applications allowed from corporate or institutional investors.

Enforcement

MUFG Brokerage Unit Primary Dealer Status Suspended

By Manesh Samtani | 17/07/2018

Dealer found to be manipulating prices in JGB futures trading, resulting in one-month suspension of the firm’s primary dealer status for one month.

Enforcement

Japan’s Higashi-Nippon Bank Under Fire for Lending Misconduct

By Manesh Samtani | 16/07/2018

The bank falsified customers’ financial records to boost loans, illicitly charged fees on loans in addition to interest, and used inappropriate financing methods involving over-lending to customers.

Market Infrastructure

Japan FSA Issues Revised Report on Supervisory Overhaul

By Manesh Samtani | 08/07/2018

Report was revised following consultation on proposed move to ‘dynamic supervision’ model; FSA says existing supervisory approaches deter focus from priority issues and may not prevent next crisis.

Fintech / Regtech

Japan’s Line Corp To Launch Crypto Exchange in Singapore

By Garima Chitkara | 02/07/2018

Cryptocurrency exchange will be launched outside Japan, with application with Japan FSA still pending; Line Corp looking to capitalise on user base for payments, transfers and asset management services.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Japan to Use Credit Scores to Monitor Crypto Trading

By Emma Zhou | 29/06/2018

The Japanese government plans to use personal credit information and social media IDs to monitor suspicious crypto trading activities and accounts.