Japan's National Pension Fund to Allocate 1% of Assets to Crypto in 2026
Japan's National Federation of Small Business Retirement Funds, covering about 1,200 SMEs, plans to invest 1% of its managed assets into cryptocurrencies starting fiscal 2026. The shift will reduce yen allocations from 80% to 70%, adding 10% in developed-market currencies and carving a 5% slice for emerging-market currencies, gold, and crypto. The fund will invest via passive funds managed by large hedge houses, aiming to diversify currency risk rather than chase speculative returns. This move arrives as Asian institutional players increasingly explore digital assets, signaling deeper integration into traditional retirement portfolios.
Malaysia Overhauls Civil Servant Investment Rules, Sets Digital Asset Guidelines
Malaysia has revised its code of conduct for public officials, tightening shareholding limits and explicitly addressing digital asset ownership. Civil servants can now hold up to 5% of a locally incorporated company's paid-up capital, with the value cap raised from 100,000 ringgit to 300,000 ringgit (about $64,000). Any excess requires approval from the prime minister or chief secretary. The rules include digital asset provisions, a response to growing crypto adoption among public servants and a 2023 scandal involving the anti-corruption chief's undisclosed stock holdings. The move aims to balance personal investment freedom with integrity safeguards.
South Korea Crypto Tax Repeal Petition Gains 58,571 Signatures, Heads to National Assembly
A South Korean petition to scrap the planned 22% crypto tax has garnered 58,571 signatures, enough to trigger a mandatory committee review under the National Assembly Act. Under current law, starting January 1 next year, crypto gains above 2.5 million won (roughly $1,800) would be taxed as other income with a combined rate of 22%. The petition's progress reflects fierce retail opposition, as Korean traders view the tax as punitive and poorly timed given market volatility. The Assembly's deliberation could delay or derail the levy, a test of Seoul's willingness to accommodate its vocal crypto constituency.
Osaka Police Bust Billion-Yen Crypto Money Laundering Ring
Osaka police have arrested three men for laundering investment scam proceeds through stablecoins, part of a network suspected of washing tens of billions of yen. The suspects, operating as unlicensed OTC crypto dealers, converted about 14 million yen ($89,000) from ten victims into stablecoins to sever the paper trail. The case highlights Japan's tightening scrutiny of crypto-linked crime, as peer-to-peer trades bypass regulated exchanges. Authorities believe the group handled far larger volumes, underscoring the challenge of policing decentralized finance channels.
Thai Police Seize 315 Crypto Mining Rigs in Power Theft Crackdown
Thai authorities confiscated 315 bitcoin mining machines across five northeastern provinces in a coordinated raid, uncovering an alleged power theft scheme that cost the state about 40.38 million baht ($830,000). The operation targeted 14 locations where miners tampered with meters or illegally tapped electricity grids. Combined penalties and unpaid bills totaled approximately 35 million baht, with fines adding another 5.38 million baht. The crackdown signals tighter enforcement in Southeast Asia, where cheap power has drawn miners but provoked a regulatory backlash.
Philippines SEC Ready for Real-World Asset Tokenization
Philippine SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo declared the country's readiness for real-world asset tokenization, citing existing legal and regulatory frameworks. He argued tokenized products could help overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) access legitimate investments and avoid scams. The statement signals Manila's ambition to become a Southeast Asian hub for blockchain-based capital markets, a trend gaining traction across the region as regulators see tokenization as a way to modernize financial infrastructure.
