Asia crypto regulation updates: Korea’s crime unit, Japan’s first license in 4 years

South Korea is preparing a dedicated crime-fighting unit for crypto offenses, Japan just handed out its first new exchange license in four years, and Hong Kong banks are tightening the screws on mainland money flows. Taken together, these developments mark one of the busiest stretches yet for Asia crypto regulation updates, with governments and financial institutions across the region moving in parallel to close gaps in oversight while markets keep expanding.

Key takeaways

• South Korea will launch a Serious Crimes Investigation Agency in October 2026, featuring a Joint Investigation Division focused on virtual-asset crime.
• Korea Exchange plans to officially open its Novel Securities Market on November 16, 2026, ahead of the Token-Securities Act taking effect on February 4, 2027.
• Nomura-backed Laser Digital Japan secured the country’s first new crypto exchange license in four years.
• Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority set a September 5 deadline for existing providers to apply for licensing.
• OKX and HSBC both introduced new internal compliance measures tied to AI tool access and mainland China client funds, respectively.

South Korea Advances Crypto Enforcement and Market Innovation