Welcome to the Asia-Pacific Morning Brief—an essential summary of overnight cryptocurrency developments shaping regional markets and global sentiment. Prepare your green tea and stay tuned to this space.
Kazakhstan has launched the first Bitcoin ETF in Central Asia, and Vietnam is collaborating with Upbit from South Korea to develop a cryptocurrency exchange. Meanwhile, Japan's Quantum Solutions is expanding its Bitcoin holdings, indicating increased institutional adoption in the region.
Kazakhstan Launches First Bitcoin ETF in Central Asia
Fonte Capital has listed the first physical Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund (BETF) on the Astana International Exchange. This physically-backed ETF provides regulated cryptocurrency exposure through BitGo's custody services, with $250 million in insurance coverage.
Kazakhstan is leveraging its position as a major Bitcoin mining hub since China's ban in 2021. Priced in dollars, this fund allows institutional and individual investors to access Bitcoin directly without managing private keys. The BETF reflects Kazakhstan's strategy to diversify its financial sector and attract foreign capital through progressive digital asset regulation.
Upbit Collaborates with Vietnam's Military Bank on Crypto Platform
Dunamu, operator of South Korea's major cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, has signed an MOU with Vietnam's military bank to establish a Vietnamese cryptocurrency trading platform. Vietnamese high-ranking officials, including Defense Minister Phan Van Giang and Finance Minister Nguyen Van Tang, visited Upbit's Seoul headquarters to inspect the trading system and security infrastructure.
The military bank, Vietnam's fourth-largest, has 30 million customers and will leverage Upbit's technological and regulatory expertise. This partnership addresses Vietnam's growing cryptocurrency market with 20 million holders generating $800 billion in annual trading volume, supporting the country's digital financial transformation initiative.
Japanese Tech Firm Quantum Solutions Expands Bitcoin Holdings Strategy
Tokyo-listed tech company Quantum Solutions (TSE: 2338) announced that its Hong Kong subsidiary has completed additional Bitcoin purchases totaling 8.96 BTC, worth approximately $1.034 million. The company specializes in AI technology, next-generation data center infrastructure, and Web3 application development.
Led by CEO Francis Bing Long Zhou, Quantum Solutions operates as an innovative holdings platform connecting capital and technology across Asia. The company conducts daily Bitcoin purchase reviews as part of a comprehensive digital asset preparedness strategy, positioning itself as a pioneer in cryptocurrency financial services while maintaining strict compliance standards.
Asia-Pacific Morning Digest
Ethereum Exchange Holdings Decrease—Is an All-Time High Imminent? One of the most critical indicators to watch during a strong uptrend is exchange holdings. This represents the total ETH held on centralized exchanges. Higher holdings can indicate greater selling pressure, while lower holdings suggest potential rapid price increases if demand surges.
Near Protocol Overtakes Solana: Why NEAR Token is Undervalued: Near Protocol (NEAR) has surpassed Solana in daily active users, highlighting this milestone for layer-1 (L1) blockchains.
Ethereum Whales and Listed Companies Engage in Mass Buying: Data shows many listed companies and cryptocurrency whales are increasing ETH holdings, with on-chain activity intensifying. These factors provide a solid foundation for ETH's bullish momentum, with analysts setting short-term price targets at $7,000.
Do Kwon Faces Potential 12-Year Sentence After Pleading Guilty: Presiding Judge Paul Engelmeyer emphasized that Do Kwon must acknowledge responsibility for Terraform's criminal activities and pay a $19 million fine.
Bitcoin Payments Surpass McDonald's and Domino's Sales for Fast Food Chain: Steak 'n Shake saw significantly increased quarterly sales, crediting Bitcoin. The company has begun BTC payments in multiple locations and is interested in further upgrades.
