The Financial Services Agency of Japan is taking a strategic step towards crypto regulation. In the latest development, the FSA released a discussion paper that intends to classify digital assets into categories, based on the distribution of funds.
Notably, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and similar decentralized cryptocurrencies will be included in the Type 2 category, while utility tokens are accommodated in Type 1.
Crypto Regulation: Japan Proposes for Two-Category Classification of Digital Assets
In a recent paper entitled “Verification of the state of the system related to crypto assets,” Japan’s Financial Services Agency has sought the public opinion on classifying digital assets. The new crypto regulation framework aims categorizing digital assets into two, based on fund distribution.
In detail, the paper outlines that the digital assets will be classified into Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1
Type 1 covers crypto assets used for business purposes or to fund the parent project. This includes altcoins from emerging projects that require community funding to grow. This category includes utility tokens. The proposal states, “For crypto assets of type 1, there is a high need to eliminate the information asymmetry between issuers and users regarding the purpose of use of funds raised and the content of projects, etc.”
Type 2
Type 2 covers digital assets that are more decentralized or have a more established presence. Top cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which do not raise funds for a business, are included in the second category. They classify these as non-fundraising or non-business crypto.” The proposal notes, “For crypto assets of type 2, there are many that cannot be identified as specific issuers, so it is difficult to impose an obligation to disclose and provide information on issuers.”
Japan’s Crypto Regulation: A Closer Look
Japan has been taking efforts to bolster the crypto industry’s growth and establishment. Despite its historical restrictive stance, Japan has taken a more nuanced approach to crypto regulation. For instance, the authority considers to lift its ban on crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), sparking enthusiasm.
The country’s latest move to classify digital assets aligns with Japan’s broader crypto regulations. Recently, the FSA announced its plans to categorize cryptocurrencies as financial products. These moves highlight the country’s proactive vision of overseeing the crypto market.
Regulatory sandboxes have emerged as a concept to drive innovation in a controlled setting. They allow companies to test new crypto products and services while regulators observe and adapt regulations. While jurisdictions like the UK, the UAE, and Singapore have already created sandboxes, the US has yet to create one at the federal level.
BeInCrypto spoke with representatives of OilXCoin and Asset Token Ventures LLC to understand what the US needs to build a federal regulatory sandbox and how it can unify a fragmented testing environment for innovators.
A Patchwork Approach
As the name suggests, regulatory sandboxes have emerged as a tool for providing a controlled testing ground. This environment allows entrepreneurs, businesses, industry leaders, and lawmakers to interact with new and innovative products.
According to the Institute for Reforming Government, 14 states in the United States currently have regulatory sandboxes for fintech innovation.
Of those, 11 are industry-specific and cover other sectors like artificial intelligence, real estate, insurance, child care, healthcare, and education.
Utah, Arizona, and Kentucky are the only jurisdictions among these states with an all-inclusive sandbox. Meanwhile, all but 12 states are currently considering legislation to create some regulatory sandbox for innovation.
Due to its relatively short existence, the crypto market has underdeveloped legislation. While state-level sandboxes enable innovators to demonstrate their products’ capabilities to the public, they are significantly constrained by the lack of federal regulatory sandboxes.
The Need for Federal Oversight
Though statewide efforts to create regulatory sandboxes are vital for innovation, entrepreneurs and businesses still face constraints in developing across borders or reaching an audience at a national level.
Rapid advancements in fields like blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) add a particular layer of uncertainty, given that existing legal frameworks may not be well-suited to these technologies.
At the same time, regulators may face difficulties in developing appropriate rules for these technologies due to a potential lack of familiarity with these constantly changing industries.
As a result, industry participants are increasingly calling for creating a federal regulatory sandbox. This environment could be a collaborative framework to address the gap, facilitating communication and knowledge sharing between regulators and industry stakeholders.
“The implementation of a federal regulatory sandbox in the United States has the potential to significantly enhance both innovation and regulatory oversight by reducing the uncertainties often associated with navigating the regulatory landscape across state lines. Such an initiative could help establish a coherent framework characterized by uniformity, continuity, and a conducive environment for innovation,” said Paul Talbert, Managing Director of ATV Fund.
According to Rademacher and Talbert, this proposal would meet the needs of all players involved.
Benefits of a Federal Regulatory Sandbox
A sandbox provides innovators with a controlled environment to test products under regulatory oversight without the immediate burden of full compliance with rules that may not yet fit their technology.
It also allows regulators to acquire firsthand insights into blockchain applications, facilitating the creation of more knowledgeable and flexible regulatory policies.
“Startups should have clear eligibility criteria to determine their qualification for participation, while regulators must outline specific objectives—whether focused on refining token classification frameworks, testing DeFi applications, or improving compliance processes,” Rademacher said.
It could also help the United States reinforce its position as a leader in technological innovation.
“By fostering innovation through simplicity, regulatory certainty, and conducive environments, the United States can significantly strengthen its competitive position in the global fintech landscape,” Talbert added.
While the United States has stalled in creating a federal framework for fintech innovation, other jurisdictions around the world have already gained significant ground in this regard.
Global Precedents
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates the United Kingdom’s financial services, launched the first regulatory sandbox in 2014 as part of Project Innovate. This initiative aimed to provide a controlled environment for testing innovative products.
The government asked the FCA to establish a regulatory process to promote new technology-based financial services and fintech and ensure consumer protection.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore, in particular, have made progressive strides in creating federal regulatory sandboxes.
The UAE, for example, currently has four different sandboxes: the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Regulation Lab, the DSFA Sandbox, the CBUAE FinTech Sandbox, and the DFF Regulation Lab.
Their focus areas include digital banking, blockchain, payment systems, AI, and autonomous transport.
Meanwhile, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) launched its Fintech Regulatory Sandbox in 2016. Three years later, MAS also launched the Sandbox Express, providing firms with a faster option for market testing certain low-risk activities in pre-defined environments.
“The success of regulatory sandboxes in jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates has highlighted the importance of key attributes: regulatory collaboration, transparent processes, continuous monitoring, and the allocation of dedicated resources. As a result, a growing number of jurisdictions worldwide are looking to replicate the frameworks established by these pioneering countries to strengthen their competitive position in the global fintech landscape,” Talbert said.
Rademacher believes these jurisdictions’ innovations should prompt the United States to accelerate its progress.
For that to happen, the United States must overcome certain hurdles.
Challenges of a Fragmented US Regulatory Landscape
A fragmented network of federal and state agencies overseeing financial services presents a key challenge to establishing a US federal regulatory sandbox.
“Unlike other countries with a single financial authority overseeing the market, the U.S. has multiple agencies—including the SEC, CFTC, and banking regulators—each with different perspectives on how digital assets should be classified and regulated. The lack of inter-agency coordination makes implementing a unified sandbox more complex than in jurisdictions with a single regulatory body,” Rademacher told BeInCrypto.
Yet, in recent years, important SEC and CFTC actors have expressed interest in adopting a more favorable regulatory approach to innovation.
“Even though I tend to be more of a beach than a sandbox type of regulator, sandboxes have proven effective in facilitating innovation in highly regulated sectors. Experience in the UK and elsewhere has shown that sandboxes can help innovators try out their innovations under real-world conditions. A sandbox can provide a viable path for smaller, disruptive firms to enter highly regulated markets to compete with larger incumbent firms,” Peirce said in a statement last May.
However, the full scope of national regulations far exceeds the authority of these two entities.
Congressional and Constitutional Hurdles
Any legislative measure to develop a federal regulatory framework for sandboxes in the United States would have to undergo Congressional approval. Talbert highlighted several potential constitutional dilemmas the promotion of an initiative of this nature may face.
“These dilemmas include issues related to the non-delegation doctrine, which raises concerns about the constitutionality of delegating legislative power; equal protection considerations under the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause; challenges arising from the Supremacy Clause; and implications under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and principles of judicial review,” he said.
To address these complexities, Congress must enact clear legal boundaries that ensure a regulatory framework is both predictable and open. Given the current administration’s emphasis on technological innovation, the prospects for creating a sandbox appear positive.
“Given the current composition of Congress, which aligns with the political orientation of the new executive branch, there may be a timely opportunity for regulatory reform. Such reform could facilitate the creation of a cohesive federal regulatory framework and enhance collaboration among federal agencies,” Talbert told BeInCrypto.
However, creating a federal regulatory sandbox is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Balancing State Autonomy and Federal Regulations
State autonomy is enshrined in the US Constitution. This protection means that, even though a regulatory sandbox may exist at the national level, individual states still have the authority to restrict or prohibit sandboxes within their jurisdictions.
Encouragingly, most US states are already exploring regulatory sandboxes, and the states that have already implemented them represent diverse political viewpoints.
However, other considerations beyond political resistance must also be addressed.
“A federal regulatory sandbox might also face opposition from established financial institutions, including banks, which may perceive potential threats to their existing business models. Furthermore, federal budgetary constraints could impede the government’s capacity to support the development and maintenance of a federal regulatory framework,” Talbert added.
Effective federal regulations will also require a balance between businesses’ concerns and regulators’ responsibilities.
“The two biggest risks are overregulation—imposing excessive restrictions that undermine the sandbox’s purpose—or underregulation, failing to provide meaningful clarity. If the rules are too restrictive, businesses may avoid participation, limiting the sandbox’s effectiveness. If they are too lax, there is a risk of abuse or regulatory arbitrage. A well-executed federal regulatory sandbox should not become a bureaucratic burden but rather a dynamic framework that fosters responsible growth in the digital asset space,” Rademacher told BeInCrypto.
Ultimately, the best approach will require coordination from different governing bodies, industry stakeholders, and bipartisan collaboration.
Fostering Collaboration for a Successful Sandbox
Due to recent strained communication between tech and federal agencies, Rademacher believes fostering a cooperative atmosphere is essential for creating a functional federal sandbox.
“The approach must be collaborative rather than adversarial. Agencies should view the sandbox as an opportunity to refine regulations in real time, working alongside industry participants to develop policies that foster responsible innovation. Involvement from banking regulators and the Treasury Department could also be valuable in ensuring that digital assets are integrated into the broader financial system in a responsible manner,” he said.
Achieving this requires a bipartisan approach to harmonizing regulatory goals and setting clear boundaries. Industry collaboration with lawmakers and regulators is vital to showing how a sandbox can promote responsible innovation while safeguarding consumers.
“Its success will ultimately depend on whether it serves as a bridge between innovation and regulation, rather than an additional layer of complexity,” Rademacher concluded.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has inked a deal with Kyrgyzstan’s National Investment Agency to trigger Web 3 adoption metrics. Both parties have reiterated a commitment to integrate Web 3 technologies into every facet of the local economy leaning on CZ’s expertise.
Kyrgyzstan Turns To Binance Founder CZ For Web 3 Direction
According to an X post by Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov, the Central Asian country has inked a deal with CZ. The Binance founder and the National Investment Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the local Web 3 ecosystem.
Signed with the consent of the president, parties will commit to building out a thriving cryptocurrency ecosystem for residents. To achieve this, the National Investment Agency will lean on Zhao’s expertise as the Binance founder takes on an advisory role.
“The signing of the Memorandum opens new horizons for the development of digital technologies and the blockchain ecosystem in the country,” said President Zhaparov.
Furthermore, CZ says the MoU will extend to distributed ledger technology (DLT) and real-world application of blockchain outside of speculation. However, while not expressly stated, pundits theorize that the founder of the top cryptocurrency exchange will explore cross-border use cases and other financial utility for cryptocurrencies.
There are plans to train residents on blockchain, cybersecurity, virtual asset management, and other emerging technologies. The economic impact of the Web 3 initiative is far-reaching and will contribute a chunk to Kyrgyzstan’s GDP by 2030.
CZ Excited To Take On The Advisory Role
CZ has expressed his commitment to the advisory role, noting that Kyrgyzstan is the latest in a line of MoUs. The Binance founder has previously provided advisory services in both official and unofficial capacities on cryptocurrency regulatory frameworks and real-world DLT applications.
“I find this work extremely meaningful,” said CZ.
Amid reciprocal tariffs affecting crypto prices, CZ disclosed that his advisory services to countries do not extend to geopolitics.
Apart from his advisory role, Zhao has donated a portion of his wealth to disaster relief in affected regions. The latest is a hefty donation of over $1 million to earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar and Thailand. Beyond charitable donations, the Binance founder has downplayed the impact of exchange listing on token prices.
As Pi Day is just one day away, panic is growing among Pi Network users, known as Pioneers. Many fear they could lose their Pi coins due to issues with the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process. With the final deadline set for March 14, 2025, frustration is at an all-time high as users struggle to get verified in time.
Users Face KYC Challenges
Tap to Earn Pi Network has recently announced that any user who does not complete KYC and transfer their balance to the Mainnet by 8:00 AM UTC on March 14, 2025, will lose most of their mobile balance. The team says this is necessary to keep the network clean from unverified accounts.
However, many users say they have tried to complete KYC multiple times without success. Crypto enthusiast Rod Thompson has called this one of the biggest issues in crypto, claiming he could lose over 10,000 Pi coins because some of his referrals have not completed KYC.
He also pointed out that Pi Network profits from ads shown during daily mining, making the situation feel unfair.
Others have also shared their frustration, saying their KYC applications have been pending for over two years. Some users have no option to reapply, leaving them in limbo and raising concerns about the fairness of the system.
Concerns Over Rewards and Balance Transfers
Aside from KYC problems, users have reported balance inconsistencies. Some claim their unverified balance continues to grow, but their transferable balance remains small. This has led to doubts about the transparency of the platform.
Another complaint is unfair reward distribution. Some long-term miners with referrals have received fewer Pi coins than others who mine irregularly, causing frustration.
Additionally, many users struggle to move their Pi coins to the Mainnet, even after completing all the steps. Due to long lock-up periods, some have even started selling their accounts on unofficial platforms, raising concerns about the project’s credibility.
Pi Coin Price Rises Despite Frustration
Despite these issues, Pi Coin’s price has surged by nearly 7% in the past 24 hours as investors prepare for Pi Day. Some analysts believe this rise is driven by speculation about potential announcements on March 14.
However, with the final KYC deadline approaching and many users still unable to verify their accounts, the future of Pi Network remains uncertain.
The post Pi Network News: Users Struggle with KYC as March 14 Deadline Nears appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
As Pi Day is just one day away, panic is growing among Pi Network users, known as Pioneers. Many fear they could lose their Pi coins due to issues with the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process. With the final deadline set for March 14, 2025, frustration is at an all-time high as users struggle …
