This is as a result of Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) order to suspend its operations for a month following the infamous Coincheck’s $550 million NEM theft and also as FSA intensifies efforts to tighten control on the cryptocurrency industry. According to Asia Nikkei Review, the two Exchanges are “withdrawing a previously filed applications with Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) in which they sought approval to launch services to domestic customers.”
The FSA disclosed that it had ordered both exchanges to improve their data security and increase client’s protection. It also stated that Gateway and Mr. Exchange will exit the cryptocurrency business after refunding client’s cash and cryptocurrency properties. Currently, there are currently 16 exchanges registered with Japan’s FSA while an additional sixteen are allowed to operate pending when their applications are approved.
In Asia, Japan has been leading the continent in using virtual currency. In April of 2017, the Japanese Government made virtual currency an official legal tender. More than 30% of all bitcoin trading globally are conducted in Yen.
The new FSA restrictions on cryptocurrency exchange might indicate a willingness by the Japanese Government to create a safe and enabling environment for people to entrust their money to cryptocurrency exchanges. Although, experts believe that this might upset potential investors.
Three other exchange – Bit Station, Raimu, and bitExpress have also withdrawn their
registration application citing FSA refusal to grant them licenses.
