regulatory

On September 22, the House of Representatives of Jamaica began reviewing the "Virtual Assets Service Providers Act," which aims to establish a licensing and regulatory framework for cryptocurrency exchanges and other virtual asset service providers, and to ensure compliance with international standards such as anti-money laundering.The bill stipulates that businesses providing virtual asset services to Jamaican consumers, regardless of their headquarters location, must obtain a license from the Financial Services Commission (FSC); operating without a license will constitute a criminal offense. Licensed entities must also fulfill obligations such as customer identity verification, transaction monitoring, and reporting suspicious activities.Jamaica's Minister of Finance Fayval Williams stated that FSC licensing only regulates business operations and does not constitute official recognition or guarantee of the digital assets being traded. The Jamaican dollar remains the only legal tender in the country, and the FSC will be authorized to license, supervise, and shut down non-compliant virtual asset businesses.

According to Cointelegraph, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has released its work plan for 2027, which will coordinate the regulation of Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASP) across countries, focusing on operational resilience, outsourcing risks, liquidity, reverse solicitation, and asset classification. ESMA Chair Verena Ross stated that the focus of MiCA has shifted from rule-making to regulation and convergence.ESMA intends to unify the reports that CASPs submit regularly to national regulatory authorities and promote common risk indicators and regulatory dashboards. ESMA will advance the centralized crypto market monitoring system MIDAS, which will be used to monitor potential market abuse under the MiCA framework.The first phase of the system is expected to be fully operational by 2027. ESMA plans to enhance the analytical capabilities of MIDAS and expand the types of data available in the fourth quarter, pending approval from the Council, while incorporating regulatory experience into the European Commission's MiCA review expected to be completed by June 2027.

According to a Reuters report, sources say that the Federal Reserve plans to raise the regulatory thresholds for banks.

The European Banking Authority (EBA) calls for the inclusion of crypto lending in the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework. In response to the European Commission's targeted consultation on MiCA, the EBA stated that lending activities involving crypto assets should be regulated, including situations where crypto asset service providers offer users access to decentralized finance (DeFi) lending protocols.The EBA recommends that the European Commission conduct a cost-benefit analysis for legislative amendments, considering the inclusion of intermediary crypto lending in the MiCA regulatory service list, and potentially adding specific compliance requirements and supervisory activities. The agency also suggested that corresponding requirements should be set for crypto companies providing customers access to DeFi lending protocols.Potential measures listed by the EBA include user suitability testing, leverage limits, and additional information disclosure requirements. The regulatory body also proposed that access to lending involving assets that require MiCA authorization, such as reference tokens or electronic money tokens, may be restricted, and a certification system should be introduced for DeFi lending protocols. The EBA noted that crypto lending is continuously growing within the EU, with previous studies showing lending activities in at least 16 member states; easier access to DeFi through crypto companies and artificial intelligence tools is increasingly blurring the lines between centralized and decentralized finance. The above recommendations are part of the EBA's overall opinion on the European Commission's review of MiCA, which also covers stablecoin rules, crypto asset classification, and reporting requirements.

According to Cointelegraph, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) will establish a new EU strategic regulatory priority themed around digital innovation starting in 2027, initially focusing on AI and tokenization.Regulatory authorities in EU member states will identify emerging areas of tokenization, documenting how businesses use or plan to use AI and tokenization technologies in products and processes that directly affect investors, and conducting preliminary checks on some of the most affected companies.ESMA stated that the risks that need to be prioritized include biased or misleading AI outputs, products that are difficult for investors to understand, and reliance on a few third-party service providers. This priority will be advanced in parallel with the regulatory priority for cyber and operational resilience that will be launched in 2025.

According to Cointelegraph, the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) stated in a joint risk update that advancements in quantum computing could undermine the cryptographic systems that secure blockchain transactions, communications, and databases.Google Quantum AI researchers estimated in March that the number of physical quantum bits required to break the cryptographic techniques used by many cryptocurrencies is about 20 times less than previously estimated. There currently exists no computer capable of executing such an attack.Bitcoin developer Jameson Lopp and others proposed in February to gradually phase out the current signature scheme and to restrict the usage of untransferred funds five years after the proposal is activated; this proposal has not yet been adopted. The Ethereum Foundation plans to enable Ethereum's execution, consensus, and data layers to be resistant to quantum attacks by December 2029.

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission announced the implementation of the strategic action plan for the first five-year plan, which will shortly introduce a new licensing system for digital assets, and implement digital asset custody supervision, CrypTech market supervision, and anti-money laundering capability building.In the medium to long term, it will develop a regulatory framework for tokenized investment products as needed, covering tokenized gold and other real-world assets. The agency will also support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government in establishing a central clearing and settlement system for gold, and developing gold and commodity products priced in Renminbi.

The People's Bank of China today reiterated in its financial education campaign that virtual currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether do not have legal tender status and cannot be used for currency circulation; conducting virtual currency-related businesses within the country is considered illegal financial activity and is strictly prohibited.The People's Bank of China stated that without the consent of relevant authorities, domestic entities and their controlled overseas entities are not allowed to issue virtual currencies abroad, and no units or individuals, whether domestic or foreign, are permitted to issue stablecoins pegged to the Renminbi abroad. The People's Bank reminds the public not to participate in virtual currency issuance, trading, investment, or mining activities, to be wary of high-yield investment scams, and to avoid renting out bank cards, payment accounts, or participating in virtual currencies.In addition, the People's Bank advises caution against virtual currency investment products and trading platforms that claim "guaranteed profits" or "high interest"; not to participate in virtual currency issuance, trading, investment, or "mining" activities; not to join communities promoting virtual currency activities, not to click on links containing overseas virtual currency trading platforms, or download related apps; not to lend or rent out bank cards or payment accounts, not to buy or sell virtual currencies "on behalf of others" as instructed, and not to act as "drivers," "currency dealers," or "U merchants"; and to report any clues related to virtual currency business activities to the relevant regulatory authorities in a timely manner.

David Ripley, co-CEO of the American cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, stated that Europe is taking a more pragmatic approach to cryptocurrency regulation, and the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) provides clarity for market rules; in contrast, the regulatory environment in the United States is more confrontational.Ripley pointed out that the CLARITY Act is progressing slowly, and related work has been ongoing for many years. He believes that if the United States continues to delay advancing cryptocurrency regulatory legislation, it may cede its leadership in financial innovation to the European Union. Kraken obtained a MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) in June 2025, allowing it to operate in 30 member countries of the European Economic Area (EEA).

U.S. President Trump stated that the United States will not hinder the development of the artificial intelligence industry but will support and oversee the growth of the sector. He announced plans to establish an "Artificial Intelligence Working Group" and will appoint an "AI Czar" responsible for AI affairs in the future.Trump emphasized that the government will not suppress AI innovation through restrictive measures but will use the existing judicial system to address illegal activities in the AI field.

Vietnam plans to issue licenses to the first batch of cryptocurrency service providers under a pilot legal framework in 2026, allowing the first digital asset platforms to begin operations. Nguyen Duc Chi, Deputy Minister of Finance of Vietnam, met with Mariana Kuhnel, Executive Director of the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA), in Vienna to discuss bilateral cooperation and the exchange of financial regulatory experiences.Vu Thi Chan Phuong, Chairwoman of the State Securities Commission of Vietnam, stated that the regulatory mechanism will cover service providers and investor transactions, focusing on risk management, investor asset protection, and anti-money laundering. Kuhnel proposed that both parties hold an online technical seminar and strengthen coordination through the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Xu Zhengyu, stated at a press conference on financial development measures for the first five-year plan for economic and social development and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address that digital assets and financial technology are new growth engines for Hong Kong, with digital bonds issued in Hong Kong accounting for about 50% of the global share.Before the end of 2026, a pilot program for the tokenization of Exchange Fund Bills will be implemented, and the Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU) will establish a digital asset platform within 2026 to provide one-stop services for digital bond issuance and settlement. In terms of regulation and market development, this includes improving the licensing system for virtual assets, enhancing the regulatory framework for tokenized investment products, promoting the trading of regulated stablecoins on licensed platforms, and encouraging the expansion of compliant stablecoin application scenarios.

According to Ledger Insights, Brazil's securities regulator (CVM) is advancing a pilot program for distributed ledger technology (DLT) aimed at tokenized securities. This program only involves simulated trading and does not involve real securities or investors.Coordinated by the CVM Tokenization Working Group (GTT), the testing will last for 60 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days. The draft is pending approval from the board. The scope covers most of the securities lifecycle, from issuance to settlement, including stocks, bonds, receivable certificates, and investment fund shares.

Argentinian cryptocurrency exchange Lemon announced that it will cease operations in Brazil due to excessively high regulatory capital requirements. The platform will stop Lemon Card services on September 30 and will automatically close all Brazilian accounts on October 16. Lemon stated that applying for the cryptocurrency business license required by the Brazilian central bank necessitates locking in a large amount of capital, which is disproportionate to its local business scale, and therefore decided to withdraw.

According to Criptonoticias, the Bolivian government has reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to establish a regulatory and supervisory framework for virtual assets to curb illegal capital outflows and strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing mechanisms. Currently, the relevant documents have not yet specified the implementation time, competent authority, and specific legislative form.Meanwhile, the government is assessing the feasibility of incorporating Tether (USDT) into the national payment system.

According to a report by the Korean News Agency, the stock exchange transaction between Upbit's parent company Dunamu and NAVER Pay, a subsidiary of South Korean internet giant NAVER, may have uncertainties. Data disclosed by the Legislative Investigation Office of the Korean National Assembly indicates that the related transaction may simultaneously face the minimum shareholding ratio for subsidiaries stipulated by the Fair Trade Act, as well as the maximum shareholding ratio limit for major shareholders of virtual asset exchanges.Currently, NAVER Pay does not seem to belong to a holding company, but if it becomes a holding company in the future and includes the exchange as a subsidiary, there may be a situation where two conflicting shareholding standards apply simultaneously, necessitating an adjustment of the governance structure. The Korean Fair Trade Act stipulates that a holding company's shareholding ratio in listed subsidiaries must not be less than 30%, and for non-listed subsidiaries, it must not be less than 50%; for venture capital holding companies, it is 20%. Additionally, the second phase of discussions on South Korean virtual asset legislation also involves setting a shareholding limit for major shareholders of exchanges to reduce the concentration of control and the risk of conflicts of interest among specific shareholders.

Founder of Strategy Michael Saylor stated that as the CLARITY Act faces obstacles, he expects the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Treasury Department to continue advancing digital asset regulatory rules based on existing laws, without waiting for Congress to complete legislation.Saylor anticipates that banks will expand Bitcoin custody and Bitcoin-collateralized loan services, with more funds flowing into Bitcoin and digital credit. He added that the GENIUS Act will support further adoption of stablecoins, and the development of the crypto industry does not need to be paused due to the stagnation of the CLARITY Act.