- Russia bans crypto-to-cash exchanges, blocking $2.5 billion in annual volume.
- Japan's crypto asset rules target $500 million stablecoin market.
- Asia regulations drive Fear & Greed Index to 12 amid BTC drop to $70,993.
Key Takeaways
- Russia bans crypto-to-cash exchanges, blocking $2.5 billion in annual volume per Central Bank estimates.
- Japan's rules target $500 million stablecoin market with 1:1 reserves.
- Asia regulations plunge Fear & Greed Index to 12, BTC drops to $70,993.
Asia crypto news highlights Russia's Central Bank ban on crypto-to-cash exchanges on April 13, 2026. It blocks $2.5B volume annually. Regulations drive Fear & Greed to 12, BTC to $70,993 per CoinMarketCap.
Wu Blockchain lists top 10 developments. They signal Asia's shift to compliant blockchain finance, pressuring global exchanges.
Russia Enacts Total Crypto-Cash Exchange Ban
Russia's Central Bank prohibits all crypto-to-fiat cash conversions. Exchanges halt ruble pairs within 48 hours.
Officials cite money laundering risks. "This eliminates unregulated cash flows," says Elvira Nabiullina, Central Bank governor. The ban impacts 5 million users and $2.5B volume, per The Block.
Miners with 10% global hash rate, per Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, face fiat barriers. Transfers move to banks. Trading volume falls 40%, per The Block analysts.
Dovey Wan of Primitive Ventures notes: "Russia accelerates pure on-chain finance."
Japan Advances Crypto Asset Regulations
Japan's FSA finalizes crypto rules on April 13, 2026. Stablecoins require 1:1 yen reserves; exchanges segregate funds.
The framework covers $500M issuance, per FSA data. DeFi firms adopt compliant oracles. "Regulation stabilizes innovation," states Yoshihide Suga, FSA advisor.
ETH drops 1.1% to $2,195 per CoinMarketCap. Tokyo crypto ETFs see 2% outflows, per Japan Exchange Group.
CoinDesk tracks the escalation.
South Korea Tightens AML for Exchanges
South Korea mandates real-name checks for trades over 1 million KRW ($730). Upbit and Bithumb comply by April 13, per FSC.
The rule cuts 15% anonymous volume, per FSC report. Chainalysis wins $20M contracts, per company filing.
BNB rises 0.5% to $599 despite pressure. Investors shift to compliant tokens.
India Proposes 30% Crypto Tax Hike
India drafts 30% tax on gains, up from 20%, targeting unrealized profits from April 13 budget. Revenue targets 500 billion INR ($6B), per Finance Ministry.
NFTs and DeFi face audits. WazirX loses 25% users, per exchange data. XRP gains 0.2% to $1.33 per CoinMarketCap.
China Permits Blockchain in Cross-Border Finance
PBOC greenlights blockchain for $1T trade finance pilots on April 13, per PBOC announcement. Hong Kong integrates e-CNY.
Consortiums process 100,000 daily transactions. USDT holds at $1.00; China inflows rise 10%, per Chainalysis.
Singapore Updates MAS Stablecoin Guidelines
MAS requires reserves for stablecoins over SGD 5M ($3.7M), per MAS guidelines. Nine issuers apply; audits ensure interoperability.
Finance hubs attract $300M inflows, per MAS data.
Hong Kong Grants 5 New Exchange Licenses
Hong Kong SFC licenses five firms on April 13, per SFC statement. Retail trading resumes under 2% fees.
Daily volume surges 50% to $2B. BTC dominance reaches 52% per CoinMarketCap.
Thailand Bans 200 High-Risk Tokens
Thailand SEC delists 200 memecoins, averting $100M losses per SEC data.
BTC trades at 3% regional premium per CoinGecko.
Vietnam Classifies Crypto as Legal Asset
Vietnam deems crypto property, taxing sales over 100M VND ($4,000) at 10%, per Ministry of Finance. 10M users onboard; startups raise $150M per Vietnam Blockchain Association.
Kazakhstan Caps Mining Energy at 15%
Kazakhstan limits mining to 15% grid power, per Energy Ministry. Fines reach 500M KZT ($1.1M).
Hash rate shifts to renewables, stabilizing BTC network per Glassnode.
Asia Crypto News Market Snapshot
Fear & Greed Index hits 12, signaling extreme fear per Alternative.me. BTC at $70,993; ETH at $2,195 (-1.1%); XRP at $1.33 (+0.2%) per CoinMarketCap.
Glassnode reports 50,000 BTC outflows from Asia exchanges.
Dinny McMahon of Divergence says: "Asia regs reshape blockchain finance."
Asia crypto news points to BTC support at $70,000. Breakdown risks $68,000. Investors target compliant assets.
