Hong Kong Charges 10 in JPEX Money Laundering Case, Defendants Now 26

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has granted HSBC and Standard Chartered Group the first licenses under the territory’s Stablecoins Ordinance, which took effect in August 2025. The approvals mark a regulatory milestone that could accelerate bank-led stablecoin activity in the region.

Japan’s cabinet has reclassified cryptocurrencies as financial instruments and will introduce bans on insider trading plus annual disclosure requirements for token issuers. The measures aim to strengthen investor protection and bring crypto closer to regulated markets.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury will allow cryptocurrency companies to enroll in a program that delivers timely cybersecurity threat and hacker warning alerts, enabling faster information-sharing with federal authorities.

A joint US–UK–Canada enforcement action called Operation Atlantic froze more than $12 million tied to crypto approval phishing schemes and identified over 20,000 victims. Authorities say the move disrupted cash-out channels and underscores growing cross-border cooperation on digital asset crime.

Binance announced on X that it will delist six crypto assets, with removals taking effect April 23, 2026. Users should review the exchange notice and manage holdings before the deadline.