Asia Crypto Roundup: Metaplanet Backlash, Singapore Funding Surge, and Key Regulatory Moves

Shareholders of Japanese Bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet are pushing back against its executive stock pool, which expanded automatically as the company issued new shares to fund Bitcoin purchases. Critics want the extra 273 million shares canceled and more transparency going forward. Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey defended the plan, though many investors remain unconvinced. Separately, Citi is preparing blockchain-based cross-border payments for Japanese businesses, enabling transfers outside normal banking hours.

Southeast Asia: Singapore Cements Crypto Dominance

Crypto funding across Southeast Asia doubled to $680 million in 2026, though spread across fewer deals. Singapore now hosts the majority of the region’s blockchain firms and funding activity. In related news, U.S. authorities sanctioned scam marketplace Xinbi Guarantee and restrained over $52 million in crypto tied to its network. Gemini secured a Major Payment Institution license in Singapore, while Circle agreed to acquire payments firm Tazapay for $400 million.

South Korea and India Advance Tokenization Plans

South Korea unveiled a phased roadmap for tokenized securities, with legal recognition beginning in 2027. India’s Arya.ag is testing grain ownership tokenization on Avalanche, while regulators tighten anti money laundering enforcement.