The post Bybit Freezes New User Registrations in Japan to Comply with FSA Rules appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Bybit, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has announced that it will halt new account registrations for users in Japan. This move highlights the company’s effort to align with Japan’s regulatory framework. 

The suspension will take effect on October 31, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. UTC.

Aligning with Japan’s Regulatory Framework

Bybit notes that this move is part of its proactive approach to embrace local regulations and stay aligned with the evolving framework set forth by Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA).

“It has always been Bybit’s commitment to operate responsibly and in compliance with local laws and regulatory expectations,” it said. 

The exchange notes that this decision will allow Bybit to focus on its efforts and resources to review local regulatory requirements and evaluate the best ways to meet the standards outlined by Japanese authorities moving forward.

Bybit notes that there will be no immediate changes to the services available for existing Japanese users for now and the exchange will issue further updates if new regulatory measures are introduced in the future.

Japan Explore Major Policy Shift

This come as the FSA is exploring a major policy shift that could allow banks to buy and hold cryptocurrencies for investment purposes. The regulator is also weighing in to let banking groups obtain licenses as cryptocurrency exchange operators, which would allow them to directly provide crypto trading and custody services.

Japan Leads APAC in Crypto Growth 

Meanwhile, Japan’s crypto market is also gaining momentum. 

According to a report from Chainalysis, Japan saw the strongest growth among APAC’s top five markets. On-chain activity in the country jumped 120% in the year to June 2025, compared to the previous year and outpaced other markets like Indonesia, South Korea, India, and Vietnam.

Although Japan’s market had been subdued in recent years compared to its neighbours, the latest growth comes amid several policy changes that are expected to drive steady growth in the long run.

New Rules Target Insider Trading

Japan is also planning to roll out new rules banning insider trading in cryptocurrencies, with violators facing surcharges based on how much they gain through illicit transactions.

This move is another sign of Japan’s intention to strengthen market transparency and investor protection as the crypto sector continues to expand.

The post “Would Be Great to See Trump Hold Head of Anti-Crypto Army Accountable,” Says Political Commentator Eagleman appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

President Trump’s pardon of Binance’s CZ has sparked broader debates in the industry.

The decision drew sharp reactions from lawmakers and has also added new layers to the debate over accountability and fairness. 

Gunther Eagleman, a commentator on social media platform X, has raised questions about the legal implications of the comments made by Senator Elizabeth Warren, citing legal analysis from Teresa Goody Guillén, a former SEC attorney and current partner at BakerHostetler.

Eagleman questioned whether Senator Warren’s remarks crossed legal boundaries and also brought up the idea if Warren’s actions could be considered obstruction of justice.

Political commentator Eagleman on Warren: 'Would be great to see the Trump Administration hold the head of the anti-crypto army accountable' | Globe Banner https://t.co/UQ27eaQhJ3

— CZ BNB (@cz_binance) October 30, 2025

Guillén Calls Out Warren’s Remarks

Guillén recently responded to Senator Warren by citing the 1979 Supreme Court case Hutchinson v. Proxmire. She noted that the Speech or Debate Clause only protects lawmakers when they are doing official legislative work.

However, the protection does not cover any false or misleading information outside of the legislative proceedings.

Great article @CGasparino! I may know something about this… I’m glad to see that Grok agreed with my assessment. https://t.co/X03MLrBnXh pic.twitter.com/RjHptZDTZB

— Teresa Goody Guillén (@teresagoody) October 29, 2025

Eagleman also agreed with her point and called for accountability over Warren’s stance on crypto policy. “Would be great to see the Trump Administration hold the head of the anti-crypto army accountable,” he added. 

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•   ,

According to the Supreme Court decision, members of Congress are not protected by the Speech or Debate Clause when they share information through press releases or newsletters. 

This means that in some situations, the defamation claims can proceed when the lawmakers are criticized for their statements outside of their official duties. 

CZ to Sue Senator Warren

This comes after President Trump recently pardoned Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. The pardon faced strong criticism from several senators and sparked a direct clash between CZ and Senator Warren. 

CZ also announced plans to sue Warren for defamation, claiming that she spread false information about money laundering charges that never existed. Guillén, his attorney, has already sent Warren a formal letter demanding an immediate retraction. The letter warns that if she fails to respond, a defamation lawsuit will follow.

Crypto Community Reacts

Several X users weighed in on the growing influence of politics in the market. While some highlighted the fine balance between necessary regulation and government overreach, others called for fairness, saying that innovation in the U.S. can only thrive if both regulators and builders are held accountable.

Some users also noted that the conflict between regulation and innovation is more political than technical. “What we’re seeing isn’t a crypto war, it’s a struggle over who controls the next financial system,” the user wrote, emphasizing that accountability matters, but clarity matters more.

FAQs

The post Analysts Predict XRP ETF Could Be a Billion-Dollar Fund Within Months appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Crypto ETFs are in focus as demand surges across the market.  Following strong inflows into altcoin ETFs like HBAR and LTC, attention is now shifting to a potential U.S. spot XRP ETF. Analysts believe it could trigger record-breaking demand once approved by the SEC.

“The XRP Army will smash-buy the ETF” –@Matt_Hougan

Says spot xrp ETF will “easily become” a billion-dollar fund w/in first few months.

“Flows will dramatically exceed what people are expecting.”

Agree.

via @elpedrosolimano pic.twitter.com/xH4U58OVml

— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) October 29, 2025

Analysts Expect Massive Demand for XRP ETF

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan believes that “the XRP Army will smash-buy the ETF.” He expects significant inflows, suggesting the fund could become  a billion-dollar product within just the first few months.

ETF expert Nate Geraci shared a similar view that demand for an XRP ETF could far exceed current market expectations. 

XRP ETFs Could See Up to $10B in Inflows

Earlier this month, Canary Capital CEO Steve McClurg predicted that XRP ETFs could attract between $5-$10 billion in inflows, which could even place them among the top-performing ETFs in history.

Seven U.S. spot XRP ETF applications are currently awaiting SEC approval expected between Oct. 18 and Nov. 14. This comes after the SEC approved new generic listing standards for spot crypto ETFs. 

Leading issuers such as Bitwise, Canary Capital, Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, 21Shares and WisdomTree have filed updated S-1 forms with the SEC for spot XRP ETFs.

Another batch of S-1 amendments rolling in on spot xrp ETFs…

Bitwise, Franklin, 21Shares, WisdomTree, Grayscale, & Canary.

Several include ticker symbols.

Getting close. pic.twitter.com/TY24kTY6MI

— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) October 10, 2025

Prediction market platform Polymarket places the odds of a U.S. spot XRP ETF being approved in 2025 at over 99%.

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•   ,

What Are the Requirements for XRP ETF Approval?

SEC recently approved the new listing standards for spot crypto ETFs. The rules require at least six months of regulated futures trading before a spot ETF can be listed. XRP futures began trading on Coinbase in April 2025 and on CME in May 2025, setting the stage for potential approval and launch by year-end.

Global Momentum Builds

Internationally, the momentum is already building as three spot XRP ETFs debuted in Canada in June, while Hashdex introduced the first-ever XRP spot ETF in Brazil back in April.

The REX Osprey XRP ETF, the first XRP ETF offering spot exposure to XRP, (but not fully “pure” spot fund) recently crossed $100 million in assets under management. This highlights the broader mainstream adoption of XRP-based investment products.

These developments suggest that the launch could be nearing as issuers are responding to SEC feedback.

These developments show that momentum is rapidly building and XRP could soon join the list of officially approved spot crypto ETFs.

FAQs

The post Grayscale Solana Trust ETF Begins Trading on NYSE Arca With Staking Rewards appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Grayscale Investments, the world’s largest digital asset-focused investment platform, announced that its Grayscale Solana Trust ETF (GSOL) is now officially trading on NYSE Arca as an exchange-traded product (ETP).

This marks a major milestone, making it the first of Grayscale’s staking products to uplist under the new SEC-approved generic listing standards.

Introducing Grayscale Solana Trust ETF (Ticker: $GSOL), offering investors exposure to @Solana $SOL, one of the fastest-growing digital assets. $GSOL features:
Convenient Solana exposure paired with staking benefits.
Exposure to a high-speed, low-cost blockchain.… pic.twitter.com/TgVNlhqBPO

— Grayscale (@Grayscale) October 29, 2025

Leading Solana ETP Manager

With GSOL now trading on NYSE Arca, Grayscale is now among the leading Solana ETP managers in the U.S. by assets under management. This builds on its strong track record in crypto asset management and leadership across Bitcoin and Ethereum products.

GSOL offers exchange-listed, low-cost exposure to Solana and its staking rewards through a familiar ETP format, backed by an institutional staking program. 

GSOL was launched in 2021 and began staking in October 2025. Staking returns are captured in NAV, giving investors the potential to compound over time. Grayscale intends to pass through 77% of all staking rewards accrue to GSOL investors on a net basis.

Today, @Grayscale celebrates the latest milestone in our history of innovation, as
Grayscale Solana Trust ETF (ticker: $GSOL) began trading on @NYSE Arca, offering investors exposure to Solana and the ability to earn staking rewards.

Grayscale was among the first to enable…

— Peter Mintzberg (@PeterMintzberg) October 29, 2025

GSOL is not subject to the same regulations as traditional ETFs or mutual funds and carries higher risk. Grayscale also notes that while GSOL holds Solana, an investment in GSOL is not a direct investment in Solana.

Digital Assets in Modern Portfolios

Inkoo Kang, Senior Vice President of ETFs at Grayscale, notes that the GSOL launch reinforces the company’s belief that modern portfolio now includes digital assets for growth and diversification alongside traditional assets like equities, bonds, and alternatives.

“Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs were just the start, and with GSOL, we’re expanding investor choice, backed by the scale, education, and operational infrastructure advisors and institutions expect,” he added. 

Investor Participation in Network Growth

President of the Solana Policy Institute, notes that the rails of global finance is being rebuilt on Solana and millions of investors can now gain exposure to it through Solana staking ETPs like Grayscale’s GSOL. 

Through staking in these products, investors are not just gaining exposure to Solana, they also have the opportunity to help secure the network, support developer innovation and earn rewards from one of the most dynamic digital assets.

A Busy Week for Crypto ETFs

This comes after three new crypto ETFs hit Wall Street on Tuesday. Bitwise launched its Solana Staking ETF on the NYSE while Canary listed its Litecoin ETF and HBAR ETF on Nasdaq.

The post DBS and Goldman Sachs Lead First-Ever Interbank OTC Crypto Options Trade  appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The gap between traditional banking and digital assets is lately getting smaller. 

In a significant move, two major banks completed a first-of-its-kind trade which shows how actively the financial institutions are engaging with crypto. 

First-Of-Its-Kind Crypto Trade

DBS, one of Asia’s leading financial services groups, and Goldman Sachs, a leading global financial institution, successfully carried out the first-ever over-the-counter (OTC) cryptocurrency options trade. 

The transaction involved trading cash-settled OTC Bitcoin and Ether options. These transactions allow firms offering crypto-linked products to better manage the risks tied to their digital asset holdings. OTC transactions are trades made directly between two parties, rather than through a public exchange. 

The participation of such well-capitalised, trusted banks in such a trade is a major milestone for digital assets in the region. 

DBS Sees Surge in Crypto-Linked Trades

This comes amid a rising demand for cryptocurrency-linked products with more accredited and institutional investors considering exposure to digital assets. 

In the first half of 2025 alone, DBS clients traded over USD 1 billion in crypto options and structured notes, with volumes jumping nearly 60% from Q1 to Q2. 

Jacky Tai, Group Head of Trading and Structuring at DBS, notes that more professional investors are looking for safe and reliable platforms to invest in digital assets. And in response, these platforms are working to strengthen their risk management and governance.

The recent trade also shows how these platforms can benefit from banks’ strong credit standing and structuring expertise, helping to bring the trad-fi practices into the digital asset space.

A Key Step Towards Interbank Crypto Market

Max Minton, Head of Digital Assets for Asia Pacific at Goldman Sachs, said this trade marks an important step in developing an interbank market for cash-settled OTC crypto options. He also expects this segment to grow as more institutional investors enter the space.

In September, DBS teamed up with Franklin Templeton and Ripple to offer accredited and institutional investors the ability to trade and lend using tokenised money market funds and Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin.

Last year DBS revealed plans to offer OTC crypto options and structured notes to eligible institutional and accredited investors, becoming the first Asian bank to do so.

As more institutions join in, crypto and traditional banking appear to be teaming up strongly to create a more stable and mature digital asset market.

The post Circle Launches Public Testnet For Arc With Participation from Over 100 Institutions appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Circle has officially launched the public testnet for Arc, an open Layer-1 blockchain network built to support developers and companies, driving more economic activity onchain.

The New Economic “OS” For Internet

This is a major milestone for Circle and it’s already attracting participation from over 100 companies across the financial and technology sectors. 

Arc is now available for developers and enterprises to deploy, test and build on what Circle describes as the new Economic Operating System (“OS”) for the internet.

CEO Jeremy Allaire said that the testnet is “seeing remarkable early momentum”, as leading companies, protocols, and projects begin to build and test.

He highlighted that these participants collectively serve billions of users and handle trillions in assets worldwide, underscoring Arc’s goal to connect local markets to the global economy. He described Arc as enterprise-grade infrastructure designed to enable a more open, inclusive, and efficient financial system built natively on the internet.

The Arc Ecosystem is Taking Shape

With today’s public testnet launch, we’re proud to share that leading companies across major sectors of the global financial system and onchain economy are already engaging in the early Arc ecosystem.

Collectively, these organizations manage… pic.twitter.com/dI3aCIzS43

— Jeremy Allaire – jda.eth / jdallaire.sol (@jerallaire) October 28, 2025

Arc is a big step toward building a more open and programmable financial infrastructure for the global economy. It is designed to make onchain transactions faster, smarter, and easier to use, with predictable dollar-based fees, sub-second transaction finality and opt-in configurable privacy.

With its integration to Circle’s full-stack platform, Arc enables a wide range of use cases across lending, capital markets, foreign exchange and global payments.

Institutional Partners

Leading capital markets firms engaging with Arc include Apollo, BNY, Intercontinental Exchange, and State Street.

Other participating banks, asset managers, and insurers include Absa, Clearbank, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered, Invesco, SBI Holdings and others. 

Circle notes that payments are emerging as one of Arc’s most powerful use cases, making it easy for people and businesses to move money instantly and without friction. The same infrastructure also supports AI-driven systems that can autonomously send and settle value in real time.

Technology and Fintech Partners

The technology and payments firms engaging with Arc, include AWS, Mastercard, Visa, Cloudflare, Brex, Nuvei, among others. Stablecoin issuers from various regions are also active on the testnet.

Infrastructure Providers and Developers

Arc is also partnering with leading developers and infrastructure providers including MetaMask, Ledger, Fireblocks, Alchemy and Chainlink. 

Anthropic is enhancing the developer experience on Arc with Claude code-powered builder tools. Crosschain partners include Across, Wormhole and Stargate while Elliptic, Quicknode, and TRM will ensure that Arc stays fast, secure, and reliable. 

Arc is bringing together leading players from across the digital asset ecosystem, from decentralized and centralized exchanges to market makers, lenders, and custodians. DEXs like Uniswap and Curve provide onchain liquidity, while Coinbase, Kraken, and Robinhood expand global access.

Major market makers like Galaxy Digital, Wintermute, and GSR enhance liquidity, and lending platforms such as Aave and Maple support credit and capital efficiency. Custodians like BitGo and Zodia Custody help keep assets secure.

The First Step to Shared Governance

Circle notes that the testnet launch marks the beginning of a network designed to evolve into a distributed, community-driven system.

Over time, it plans to expand validator participation, introduce transparent governance models, and involve the community in its evolution.

The post Metaplanet Announces ¥75B Share Repurchase Program to Strengthen Bitcoin Strategy appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Metaplanet, widely known as “Japan’s MicroStrategy”, has taken a major step forward in its long-term strategy by launching a 75 billion JPY share repurchase program. 

This comes after the company faced a setback with a decline in its mNAV, and aims to make better use of capital and boost returns for shareholders.

Metaplanet has established a share repurchase program to enhance capital efficiency and maximize BTC Yield. The Board also approved a credit facility to enable flexible execution as part of the company’s capital allocation strategy. https://t.co/zucPBrIqOQ

— Simon Gerovich (@gerovich) October 28, 2025

Why Metaplanet Is Buying Back Its Own Shares 

In its latest disclosure, Metaplanet noted that recent market volatility and a decline in its mNAV have led to its stock being undervalued. 

The mNAV compares the company’s enterprise value to the market value of its Bitcoin holdings. When it falls below 1.0x, the company’s shares are seen as trading below their fair value based on BTC reserves. 

To address this, Metaplanet launched a capital management plan designed to maximize BTC yield and improve capital efficiency. 

Metaplanet’s stock is currently trading at 499 JPY, up 2.5% over the past day and roughly 18% over the last five days. Its mNAV has also recovered to 1.03 as of the time of writing.

The buyback program will cover up to 150 million common shares, representing about 13.13% of its total outstanding shares, excluding treasury shares. It will run from October 29, 2025, to October 28, 2026 and buybacks will be conducted through purchases on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under a discretionary trading agreement.

$500M Credit Line Announced

In order to give the company more flexibility in carrying out the repurchase program, the board has also approved a credit facility with a borrowing limit of up to USD 500 million (around JPY 76.4 billion).

This allows the company to secure funds using its Bitcoin holdings as collateral whenever needed. The funds raised could be used for additional Bitcoin purchases, investments in its Bitcoin Income business, or share buybacks. 

The credit line also plays a major role in the Company’s financial strategy and is expected to serve as bridge financing ahead of its planned issuance of preference shares. 

Metaplanet’s Capital Allocation Policy

Metaplanet has also created a new Capital Allocation Policy designed to maximize sustainable value creation. It will be guided by three fundamental principles.

Metaplanet plans to actively utilize preferred shares, to strengthen BTC yield and enhance long-term shareholder value. It will avoid new issuances when mNAV is below 1.0x, and pursue them only when mNAV exceeds 1.0x and valuations and strategic conditions clearly support long-term shareholder value.

And if mNAV falls below 1.0x, the Company will actively consider share buybacks to enhance BTC yield and shareholder value.

It also noted that the funding sources for share repurchases may include cash reserves, funds raised from preferred share issuances, credit facilities, or income generated by its Bitcoin-related business operations.

Since April 2025, the company has expanded its Bitcoin Treasury Strategy, now holding 30,823 BTC, making it the fourth-largest public Bitcoin holder globally and the largest in Asia. 

The company is also committed to its long-term goal of acquiring 210,000 BTC by the end of 2027.

Despite what appears to have been a setback, Metaplanet continues to show strong conviction in Bitcoin’s long-term potential.

The post ClearBank to Join Circle’s Payments Network and Expand Stablecoin Access appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

ClearBank, a technology-enabled clearing bank, is making a major push into digital finance to expand stablecoin use and improve cross-border payments across Europe.

Strategic Alliance Between ClearBank and Circle

ClearBank has announced a strategic framework agreement with a subsidiary of Circle Internet Group, the stablecoin giant behind USDC and EURC. 

Through this partnership, the two companies will work together on a range of initiatives in the European market.

Initially, the focus will be on expanding access to USDC and EURC, Circle’s MiCA-compliant, fully reserved stablecoins, through Circle Mint in Europe. This move places ClearBank as a core infrastructure partner for banks and fintechs, that are looking for trusted, multi-currency stablecoin solutions for payments, treasury, and liquidity use cases. 

ClearBank to Join Circle’s Payments Network

ClearBank is taking another big step by planning to join Circle’s Payments Network (CPN), making it one of the first European banks to do so. This will let clients move money around the world at internet speed, with the transparency of blockchain technology.

By linking its cloud-based banking system with Circle’s infrastructure, including Circle Mint and the Circle Payments Network, ClearBank is bridging traditional and digital finance to make cross-border payments faster and cheaper.

Mark Fairless, CEO of ClearBank, said this move marks a major step in ClearBank’s growth as a cross-border payments innovator.

Sanja Kon, VP of Partnerships & Business Development, EMEA at Circle, said that this partnership will expand access to USDC and EURC, helping drive faster, more transparent payments and unlock new financial services built on “open, programmable money.”

Expanding Opportunities Beyond Payments

ClearBank and Circle are also exploring additional strategic use cases, including stablecoin-based treasury solutions and future tokenized asset settlement integrations.

Circle launched the CPN in April, to connect banks, fintechs, and payment providers to settle cross-border payments in real time using regulated stablecoins like USDC and EURC. CPN supports a wide range of cross-border use cases, from payments and remittances to treasury and onchain finance. 

Circle also became the first global stablecoin issuer to meet MiCA requirements in July 2024, well ahead of the regulation coming fully into effect later that year.

Clearbank’s move highlights the growing confidence among financial institutions in using stablecoins for global payments.

The post China’s Central Bank Governor Warns Stablecoins Pose Risks to Global Financial System appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Stablecoins have been attracting increasing attention lately as banks and institutions explore its growing role in digital finance. However, despite its rapid innovation and increased adoption, some officials believe that it is in its early stages and the risks remain. 

PBOC Governor Urges Caution

Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, recently noted that virtual currencies, especially stablecoins issued by institutions, have seen a surge in growth over the past few years. However, he pointed out that the industry is still in its early stages. 

Moreover, global financial bodies regulators are also growing increasingly cautious about the development of stablecoins.

Global Regulators Sound the Alarm

Just ten days ago, at the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., finance ministers and central bank governors discussed stablecoin and their potential risks as one of the main topics. They noted that while stablecoins are growing popular, they still fall short of basic financial standards like the customer identification and anti-money laundering measures. 

Officials warn that these very gaps could make it easier for money-laundering, illegal cross-border transfers and even terrorist financing to occur. This has led to increased market speculation, adding pressure to the global financial system and concerns that it could even threaten the monetary sovereignty of smaller, less-developed economies.

These issues highlight the need for stronger oversight measures, before stablecoins can safely play a larger role in the financial system. 

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•   ,

China’s Crackdown and Continued Oversight

The governor has stressed that since 2017, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), together with other departments, has introduced several policies in an effort to prevent and address the risks of domestic virtual currency trading speculation. He also noted that these measures are still in effect.

Looking ahead, the PBOC will keep working with the law enforcement agencies to continue cracking down on the operation and speculation of virtual currencies in China. At the same time, it will also closely monitor the growth of overseas stablecoins. 

Ant Group’s Push into Digital Assets

This comes as Ant Group, Alibaba’s fintech arm, filed a trademark for “AntCoin” in Hong Kong, hinting at its growing interest in Web3 and digital assets. The trademark covers a wide range of financial operations from banking, lending, foreign exchange to blockchain settlement, digital-asset custody, stablecoin issuance, and even loyalty rewards.

It has previously faced pushback as the Chinese authorities ordered the company to halt its plans due to concerns over privately controlled digital assets.

However, its latest move shows that it is moving forward despite China maintaining a tight grip on crypto activity.

FAQs