Blockstream Expands to Tokyo to Boost Bitcoin Adoption

February 9, 2025

Catenaa, Sunday, February 09, 2025 – Blockstream, a Bitcoin infrastructure firm co-founded by Adam Back, has opened a new office in Tokyo, marking a major step in expanding Bitcoin adoption across Asia.  The company has partnered with Diamond Hands, a Japanese Bitcoin consultancy, and Fulgur Ventures, an investor in Bitcoin-first firms, to introduce advanced Bitcoin […]

Honda and Nissan Explore Merger to Compete in EV Market

December 18, 2024

Catenaa, Wednesday, December 18, 2024 – Japanese automotive giants Honda and Nissan have reportedly engaged in preliminary discussions about a potential merger, aimed at bolstering their competitiveness in the electric vehicle (EV) market, particularly against emerging Chinese manufacturers.  Both companies issued identical statements to the BBC, referencing their March agreement to explore strategic partnerships in […]

Japan Aims QR Code For Seamless Payments System In ASEAN

April 14, 2024

Tokyo, Japan, Monday, March 25, 2024- Japan has embarked on talks with Southeast Asian nations to establish a joint QR code payment system by fiscal year 2025 (starting April 2025). The initiative aims to streamline cashless transactions for travelers and businesses between regions. The project seeks to achieve compatibility between existing QR code systems, allowing […]

Japan Moves to Approve Stablecoins, Crypto Brokerage Reforms

February 21, 2025

 Catenaa, Friday, February 21, 2025- Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA) is set to approve significant regulatory reforms for stablecoins and crypto brokerage firms, aiming to ease market entry and enhance user protections.  The FSA has endorsed recommendations from a working group proposing a new category of “intermediary” crypto businesses. This change would streamline regulations for […]

Japan Projects First Positive Output Gap in Seven Years

December 26, 2024

Catenaa, Thursday, December 26, 2024-Japan’s government announced Thursday it expects economic output to exceed full capacity in the next fiscal year, marking the first positive output gap in seven years. The recovery is attributed to strong demand and a tight labor market.   The Cabinet Office estimates the output gap will stand at +0.4% for […]

Japan Records A Trade Deficit After 2023 With Weaker Yen

March 10, 2025

Catenaa, Monday, March 10, 2025– Japan recorded the first current account deficit in January after two years, as electronics imports from China with weaker yen raised the cost. Government data showed on Monday, Japan’s current account deficit in January stood at 257.6 billion yen or $1.75 billion, bigger than a median market forecast for a deficit […]

Japan Seeks Tesla Investment in Nissan After Honda Talks

February 22, 2025

Catenaa, Friday, February 21, 2025 – Japan has drawn up plans for Elon Musk’s Tesla to invest in Nissan following the collapse of merger talks with Honda, according to a report from the Financial Times on Friday. The report said a high-level Japanese group, including a former prime minister, has drawn up plans for Elon Musk’s Tesla […]

Japan to Order Google to Halt Alleged Antitrust Violations

December 23, 2024

Catenaa, Monday, December 23, 2024 – Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) plans to order Google to cease practices it says violate the nation’s antitrust laws, according to sources familiar with the matter.  The JFTC accuses Google of requiring smartphone manufacturers using its Android operating system to pre-install apps such as Google Search and Chrome in […]

Japan’s December Exports Rise Amid Trade Uncertainty

January 26, 2025

Catenaa, Sunday, January 2025 – Japan’s exports climbed 2.8% in December compared to a year earlier, marking the third consecutive monthly increase and surpassing forecasts of 2.3%, according to government data released last Thursday. The weaker yen boosted shipment values, particularly for chipmaking equipment to Taiwan, but export volumes to key trading partners fell, reflecting […]

Japan’s Inflation Hits 2-Year High, BOJ Rate Hike Likely

February 22, 2025

Catenaa, Friday, February 21, 2025 – Japan’s headline inflation rose by 4% year-on-year(y/y) in January, the highest recorded after January 2023, official data said on Friday, putting the Bank of Japan(BOJ) on the path of more rate hikes. Data showed that Japanese inflation has accelerated more than expected in January, with consumer prices excluding fresh food rising […]

Japan’s SBI Now Eyes USDC Listing

February 15, 2025

Catenaa, Friday, February 14, 2025 – Japan’s SBI Group has reported record crypto-related profits as it readies itself to become the first exchange operator in the country to list USD Coin (USDC). The firm also announced plans to expand its crypto offerings. In its consolidated Q3 financial results, SBI posted revenues of approximately 62.8 billion […]

Japan’s Economy Surges 2.8% in Q4, Exceeding Expectations

February 17, 2025

Catenaa, Monday, February 17, 2025 – Japan’s economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.8% in the fourth quarter, surpassing market expectations of 1.0%, as strong capital expenditure and resilient consumption fueled growth, government data showed Monday.  The robust expansion, translating to a 0.7% quarter-on-quarter increase, was driven by a rebound in business investment and […]

Japan’s Metaplanet Adds Nearly 270 Bitcoin, Brings Holdings Above 2,000 BTC

February 24, 2025

Catenaa, Sunday, February 23, 2025 – Japan’s investment firm Metaplanet has expanded its Bitcoin holdings by acquiring an additional 269.43 BTC, worth approximately $25.9 million. This recent purchase has pushed its total Bitcoin reserves to 2,031.41 BTC. The acquisition was made at a rate of 14,846,322 yen (roughly $97,985.73) per Bitcoin, continuing the firm’s strategy […]

Japanese Crypto Exchange DMM Bitcoin Suffers $305M Hack

June 15, 2024

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 – DMM Bitcoin, one of the leading crypto exchanges in Japan, reported the theft of $305 million (48 billion yen of BTC) and 4502.9 BTC from its wallet. The following services—new account openings, new buying orders for spot trading, and crypto asset withdrawals—have been temporarily suspended to secure the infrastructure of […]

South Korea May Approve Bitcoin ETF After Japan’s Move

March 8, 2025

Catenaa, Saturday, March 08, 2025-South Korea regulators may move closer to approving Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) if Japan gives the green light to similar investment products, according to a new report.  The Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) have been closely monitoring Japan’s approach to Bitcoin ETFs, Maeil Kyungjae reported Tuesday. […]

The Japanese Gaming Giant Plans 1 Billion worth Bitcoin Purchase

February 19, 2025

Catenaa, Tuesday, February 18, 2025 – Japan-based mobile gaming company Gumi Inc announced on February 10 that it is expecting to purchase bitcoin worth 1 billion Japanese yen (around $6.58 million).The company says it intends to purchase between February and May this year.The core of this Bitcoin purchase would be an acceleration of the company’s […]