The second-largest power utility in Japan is extending its trial of a blockchain-powered system for transacting renewable energy credits. According to a press release shared with Cointelegraph on Dec. 9, the Kansai Electric Power Co Inc (KEPCO) is extending its trial of a blockchain-enabled renewable energy trading platform developed by Australian tech firm Power Ledger. Decentralizing, decarbonizing In 2018, Japan was the world’s fifth-largest consumer of electricity, yet produced only 17.5% of its energy from renewable sources. In May of this year, the country’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry decided to continue its sale of non-fossil fuel value certificates …

Tokyo-based cryptocurrency exchange bitFlyer announced the launch of ‘Instant Buy’ on its European exchange platform. BitFlyer launched its latest feature Instant Buy on Dec. 5 to provide its European users with the ability to buy cryptocurrency using a credit card, debit card and local instant transfer methods like Sofort, iDeal and GiroPay. The newly launched feature, which is available on desktop computers and smartphones, aims to make it more convenient for users to buy crypto using their preferred payment method. It also looks to provide a new avenue for crypto beginners who want an all-in-one solution to purchase, store and …

Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said that there is no public demand for a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the country. During his speech at the symposium for the 35th anniversary of the Center for Financial Industry Information Systems on Dec. 4, Kuroda addressed the challenges posed by private global stablecoins and CBDCs. He concluded that at present there is no reason to issue a CBDC in Japan: “In Japan, the amount of cash outstanding is still increasing, and it does not seem that there is a demand for CBDC from the public at present. Nevertheless, the …

MUFG Bank, the largest bank in Japan and the world’s fifth-largest bank, has denied reports that it plans to launch a digital currency in Japan next year. In a statement on Dec. 4, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Bank (MUFG) said it had not decided whether a recent business partnership would ultimately form a digital currency entity. MUFG: digital currency claims unofficial Previously, various local English-language media outlets including Japan Times had reported that MUFG was eyeing a release date in the first half of 2020 for an as-yet-unnamed digital currency. “These reports are not based on any announcement made by …

Disclaimer: Following reports that the card release news was false, Cointelegraph contacted SoftBank, which confirmed that the news was incorrect. SoftBank said that it is still trying to find out who made the announcement and how. Japanese holding company SoftBank has introduced a new debit card featuring a built-in cryptocurrency wallet. According to a press release on Dec. 1, SoftBank developed a debit card featuring a built-in blockchain wallet in collaboration with United States-based wallet card developer Dynamics. The new product is called SBC Wallet Cards and can be used as a traditional debit card or blockchain wallet. Crypto storage …

Big Four audit firm KPMG has officially launched a blockchain-based track and trace platform in Australia, China and Japan. Dubbed KPMG Origins, the tool is designed to increase transparency and traceability of processes in multiple industries such as agriculture, manufacturing and financial services, the firm announced on Nov. 28. The official launch of KPMG Origins in Australia, China and Japan comes after successful pilot implementations with clients in those countries, the press release notes. Trial participants include Cane Growers and SunRice Incorporating a number of emerging technologies like blockchain and the Internet of Things, KPMG Origin intends to improve supply …

United States-based Trade Station — a subsidiary of Coincheck owner Monex Group — is launching a cryptocurrency brokerage platform via a newly-launched offshoot called Trade Station Crypto. As Cointelegraph Japan reported on Nov. 20, the platform will establish an online brokerage model in line with similar platforms that exist for traditional assets in equities, options, futures and forex markets. Initial support for five major cryptos As distinct from an exchange, which functions as a self-contained market and can, therefore, lack deep liquidity, Trade Station claims that its crypto brokerage services will provide crypto traders with access to aggregated, multiple liquidity …

In this week’s selected cryptocurrency and blockchain-related news from Japan, a new association promoting crypto assets in antiquing was born, a well-known cryptocurrency trader was arrested and the Kyoto University started participating in the XRP ledger. Here is the past week of cryptocurrency and blockchain news in review, as originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. Crypto Antiquing Association Launches On Nov. 11, Cointelegraph Japan reported that the Crypto Assets Antique Association (CAAA) was established with the purpose of promoting the use of crypto assets in the antique trade. CAAA’s representative director Ji Komiya said, “I want to connect to new activities …

American logistics giant UPS has successfully delivered a blockchain-verified beef shipment from the United States to Japan. The company partnered with agritech firm HerdX to incorporate its packaging technology into a blockchain network to trace the journey of beef from Kansas to Japan, the firm announced on Nov. 11. As announced by UPS, the jointly-delivered shipment involved a blockchain partner network developed by HerdX. Meanwhile, UPS provided its visibility tool that integrates with HerdX's blockchain technology and records live updates, registering details throughout the journey. U.S. Embassy and Japanese officials checked the blockchain-recorded beef The pilot was supported by the …

In this week’s selected cryptocurrency- and blockchain-related news from Cointelegraph Japan, the Japanese financial regulator solidifies its policy of banning trusts that invest in crypto, more than 20 companies launch a consortium that aims to raise funds with security tokens, and Coincheck starts its automated cryptocurrency accumulation service, while it denies having had any previous knowledge about Stellar Lumens’ 55 billion token burn. Here is the past week of cryptocurrency and blockchain news in review, as originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. FSA confirms ban on cryptocurrency investment trusts The Japanese financial regulator, the Financial Services Agency (FSA), has solidified its …

In this week’s selected cryptocurrency- and blockchain-related news from Cointelegraph Japan, the Japanese Liberal Democratic League said that it will formulate a quantum technology innovation strategy by the end of this year, crypto exchange Coincheck’s registered users are steadily increasing, Mt. Gox trustee extends the submission deadline again, and the SBI Holdings president is thinking about expanding into Europe with security token offerings. Here is the past week of cryptocurrency and blockchain news in review, as originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. Japan will propose a quantum technology strategy The Japanese Liberal Democratic League for Quantum Technology Promotion, which promotes quantum …

SBI Securities’ trading revenue surged 19.2% in 2019, largely due to the inclusion of the company’s crypto investment wing, which turned a $7.1 million loss into a $30 million profit over the year. Japanese financial services giant SBI Holdings released its new financial report on Oct. 30. The report analyzed results for the six-month period ended Sept. 30, 2019 and witnessed major growth of SBI’s crypto-heavy venture capital arm in 2019 amid a general decline in SBI’s revenue. SBI VC Trade profits grow over $30 million over a year According to the report, SBI VC Trade’s profit before income tax …