WuBlockchain
Asia's crypto policy and infrastructure slate filled out this week, headlined by South Korea's confirmation that virtual-asset taxation will start in January 2027, ending years of delay. The Ministry of Economy and Finance framed the launch as scheduled rather than accelerated, suggesting the government intends to give exchanges and tax-prep vendors one more full budget cycle to harden reporting.
Why it matters
In Russia, the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) launched four new crypto-related indexes, giving institutional and retail desks a tradable benchmark layer that did not previously exist on the country's main venue. In Japan, regulators and the Japan Exchange Group are preparing a 24/7 blockchain-based government bond trading pilot — a structurally novel move for a sovereign debt market that has historically traded only during fixed hours.
Market impact
On the corporate side, Bithumb said it would expand into Vietnam as part of a broader Southeast Asia push, while BNY broadened its crypto custody footprint in Abu Dhabi — the second major US custodian to deepen Gulf presence in recent months. Together, the moves point to an Asian corridor settling into a working template: tax clarity in the developed north, index and tokenization infrastructure in the second-tier markets, and custody rails anchored in Gulf financial centres.
Source: [Asia's weekly TOP10 crypto news: South Korea to Tax Crypto from Jan 2027, MOEX Launches Four New Crypto Indexes, Japan to Launch 24/7 Blockchain Govt Bond Trading and Top10 News](https://wublock.substack.com/p/asias-weekly-top10-crypto-news-south)
Frequently asked questions
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When will South Korea start taxing crypto?
South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance said the government will begin taxing virtual assets in January 2027, ending years of delay and giving exchanges and tax-prep vendors one more full budget cycle to harden reporting.
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What new indexes did the Moscow Exchange launch?
MOEX launched four new crypto-related indexes, giving institutional and retail desks a tradable benchmark layer that did not previously exist on Russia's main exchange.
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What is Japan planning for blockchain-based bond trading?
Japan is preparing a 24/7 blockchain-based government bond trading pilot — a structurally novel move for a sovereign debt market that has historically traded only during fixed hours.
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Where is Bithumb expanding?
Bithumb said it would expand into Vietnam as part of a broader Southeast Asia push, extending its footprint into another fast-growing regional market.
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What is BNY doing in Abu Dhabi?
BNY broadened its crypto custody footprint in Abu Dhabi, becoming the second major US custodian to deepen its Gulf presence in recent months.
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