Japanese Bitcoin treasury company Metaplanet is facing shareholder anger over executive equity allocations, while fresh data points to Singapore extending its lead as Asia’s main crypto hub.
Metaplanet’s executive stock pool draws criticism
Metaplanet’s executive stock pool continues to face backlash from shareholders worried about dilution.
Several shareholders objected on social media to the company’s 10th Series executive option pool. The pool was structured as 20% of fully diluted shares and was set to expand automatically as the company issued new shares to fund its Bitcoin (BTC) accumulation strategy.
Some shareholders are now asking Metaplanet to cancel the additional 273 million shares created by the change and to give investors more clarity on how similar decisions will be handled in the future.
Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey defended the plan, saying that giving the team 20% of the cap table over five years “isn’t some crazy number,” but many shareholders have pushed back.
Citi targets faster cross-border blockchain payments
Citi plans to offer Japanese companies near-instant international payments using blockchain-based infrastructure, including outside normal banking hours.
Southeast Asia funding rises to $680 million as Singapore leads
Investment in Southeast Asian crypto firms doubled between 2025 and 2026, according to private market data platform Tracxn. The region recorded 25 funding rounds worth $680 million in 2026, up from $319 million the year before.
The increase came with fewer transactions. There were 46 funding rounds last year, compared with 25 this year, showing that more capital went to a smaller number of companies.
Singapore ranked as Asia’s leading crypto hub. Of the 3,957 blockchain companies tracked across the region, 2,285 are based in Singapore. The city-state also accounted for 82.5% of all-time blockchain equity funding recorded across Southeast Asia.
US moves against Xinbi scam marketplace network
US authorities restrained more than $52 million in crypto tied to scam marketplace Xinbi Guarantee and its vendor network in a coordinated operation.
The US Justice Department said its Scam Center Strike Force seized two wallets used by Xinbi to collect vendor payments, containing about $12 million. Law enforcement also sought restraints against 47 more wallets believed to be connected to money laundering across the Xinbi network.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Xinbi as a significant transnational criminal organization. OFAC also sanctioned Singapore-based SafeW Technology and Cambodia-based Anwen Technology for allegedly providing technological and financial support to Xinbi.
Gemini secures Singapore MPI license
Crypto exchange Gemini has received a Major Payment Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, completing the move from the in-principle approval it was granted nearly two years ago.
MPI license holders can offer regulated payment services without the transaction-volume limits that apply to standard payment institutions.
Gemini President and co-founder Cameron Winklevoss said the exchange has served customers in Singapore since 2020. CEO Tyler Winklevoss called the country a strategic hub for serving both retail and institutional clients.
Circle agrees $400 million Tazapay acquisition
USDC issuer Circle has agreed to pay $400 million to acquire Singapore-based cross-border payments company Tazapay, which has more than 60 banking and fintech partners across 100 markets.
South Korea sets out tokenized securities roadmap
South Korea’s Financial Services Commission introduced a three-phase roadmap for infrastructure supporting tokenized securities issuance across assets such as stocks, bonds and funds.
Starting on Feb. 4, 2027, tokenized securities will be legally recognized as digitized forms of securities after an amendment to the Act on Electronic Registration of Stocks and Bonds is scheduled to take effect.
Phase one would establish legal recognition for tokenized securities, including institutional money market funds, bonds, unlisted stocks and fractional investment securities. Phase two would extend tokenization to all publicly offered securities. Phase three aims to enable onchain payments linked to stablecoins.
Won stablecoins could cut merchant fees
South Korea’s National Assembly Budget Office said won-denominated stablecoins could lower annual payment fees for South Korean merchants by between $275 million and $3.8 billion.
Arya.ag tests grain receipt tokenization on Avalanche
Indian agricultural warehousing and lending company Arya.ag is testing a system to tokenize warehouse receipts for stored grain on a dedicated Avalanche layer-1 blockchain.
Arya.ag is working with Finternet to connect grain deposits, warehouse receipts, collateral commitments and loan status through the network.
Devika Mittal, head of India at Ava Labs, told Cointelegraph that testing was underway and said each tokenized receipt would represent ownership of the stored commodity. The companies did not disclose an expected launch date or the amount of grain or lending to be covered in the initial deployment.
India steps up AML enforcement
India’s Financial Intelligence Unit issued non-compliance notices to 15 offshore virtual digital-asset service providers over alleged anti-money laundering failures. The agency also sought takedowns of related apps and URLs, saying they were serving Indian customers without proper controls.
Indian lawmakers to discuss crypto next week
India’s Finance Ministry is expected to appear before a parliamentary panel on Sept. 16, where discussion will focus on the taxation and regulation of virtual digital assets.
Webull completes Pi Securities purchase
Thailand’s Webull Securities has completed its $100 million acquisition of Pi Securities, a long-established traditional securities and investment services firm.
Philippines proposes freeze on new payment operator registrations
The Philippines’ central bank has proposed a 12-month freeze on new payment-system operator registrations while tightening controls on payment arrangements involving virtual asset service providers.
Under a draft circular, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it would suspend acceptance and processing of applications for operators of payment systems so it can conduct a “holistic review” of its taxonomy and licensing framework.
Chelsea’s USDC jersey creates Hong Kong issues
Circle’s USDC jersey sponsorship with Chelsea Football Club has created difficulties in Hong Kong, where penalties apply to unlicensed crypto promotions and local merchants have been reluctant to sell the shirt.
Boyaa Interactive adds more Bitcoin
Hong Kong-listed gaming company Boyaa Interactive has bought another 115 Bitcoin, adding to its treasury holdings.