Asian crypto developments moved fast this week. Markets reacted, governments acted, and investors followed. Japan’s financial agency proposed a major shift. It plans to include crypto assets under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
This move could open the door for Bitcoin ETFs. It also suggests a 20% separate tax rate, much lower than the current 55% ceiling. South Korea’s stock market saw a boost. President Lee Jae-myung’s backing of Korean won stablecoins sparked a rally.
Shares of tech firms surged. The Kospi index climbed nearly 30% in 2025, making it Asia’s top-performing market this year. Investors showed strong support for local crypto policies. Hong Kong released a new policy document on digital assets.
Crypto reserve urged by Indian leader
It outlined four goals: better laws, more token products, wider use cases, and strong talent networks. The government aims to strike a balance between regulation and growth, maintaining its position as a global financial center. In India, a political figure urged the country to start a Bitcoin reserve pilot. He pointed to examples like the U.S. and Bhutan.
He also called for clear crypto rules. That political figure warned that India’s current strategy of heavy taxation without real regulation may slow down innovation. Kazakhstan signed a deal with the Solana Foundation. Together, they will build a blockchain-focused special zone.
The effort will focus on Web3 education and token projects. The goal is to bring more startups into the Astana International Financial Center. Russia’s crypto holdings now exceed $25 billion. A local mining firm revealed this figure at an economic forum.
Interest from institutional investors in mining has grown. The trend reflects growing trust in crypto within the country. In the UAE, Web3 fund Aqua1 invested $100 million in WLFI tokens. The transaction appeared on Etherscan. However, some details remain unclear. The fund had earlier spent $80 million on the same asset.
Hong Kong firm expands crypto License
Metaplanet, a Japanese firm, bought 1,111 more bitcoins this week. Its total holding now stands at 11,111 BTC. The latest purchase cost over $100 million. The firm continues to make large-scale bets on Bitcoin.
In Hong Kong, Guotai Junan International secured approval to expand its license. It can now offer crypto trading and advisory services. It already handles ETFs and tokenized securities.
Finally, Moody’s warned that stablecoin hype might be too high. It said real adoption faces many hurdles. Banks and retailers may struggle with costs, compliance, and tech issues. Asia’s crypto sector continues to reshape itself. Governments, firms, and funds are all stepping up.
