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Japan’s exports rose by 4.2 % in September compared with a year earlier, marking the first increase after five consecutive months of decline. The rebound was driven by a 12.6 % jump in shipments of semiconductors and electronic components as demand across Asia strengthened. Meanwhile shipments to the United States fell by 13.3 %, reflecting persistent tariff pressures.

The official data released by the Ministry of Finance show total export value reached ¥9.41 trillion, while imports rose 3.3 % to ¥9.65 trillion, resulting in a trade deficit of ¥234.6 billion. Economists had expected exports to climb about 4.4 %.

The shift in trade dynamics highlights Japan’s evolving export mix. Analysts attribute the up-turn primarily to regional technology supply-chain demand, particularly from China and other parts of Asia, where exports climbed by around 9.2 %. Shipments to mainland China rose approximately 5.8 %. By contrast, the United States market remained weak, hit by ongoing tariffs and cooling automotive exports.

Japan has been repositioning itself within the global semiconductor industry, capitalising on strengths in chip-making equipment and materials, even as it lags peers in logic-chip fabrication. According to the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, Japanese firms still hold about 30 % of global equipment market share and roughly half of materials supply, although they are behind in advanced logic nodes.

With global demand shifting toward next-generation technologies such as artificial-intelligence servers and 5G infrastructure, Japan’s export engine appears to be realigning. The sharp rise in chip-related shipments suggests that Japanese firms are responding to increased regional tech investment and supply-chain diversification away from the US-China axis.

Japan’s auto industry remains under pressure, however. The drop in exports to the US was exacerbated by a 15 % tariff on Japanese autos imposed in July, which continues to dampen shipments to that key destination. This has left Japan reliant on growth elsewhere. Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, who took office amid this trade shift, sees the export data as an early boost; her government has pledged fiscal stimulus and monetary support to sustain momentum.

The export recovery still carries caveats. While the semiconductor and electronic component sectors are expanding, traditional export categories such as automobiles and machinery have not yet shown comparable strength. Imports rising faster than forecast reflect continuing underlying demand for energy and raw-material inputs, and the trade deficit underscores Japan’s ongoing reliance on external inputs despite the export uptick.

Japan’s export performance could indicate a structural shift rather than a temporary bounce. The country’s strategy to revive its chip industry through initiatives such as the Rapidus consortium and the Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing venture illustrates a long-term push into advanced-node technologies and supply-chain resilience. These initiatives, supported by government subsidies targeting thousands of billions of yen, aim to re-establish Japan as a key node in advanced electronics manufacturing.

The Bank of England has committed to implementing a comprehensive regulatory framework for stablecoins by the end of 2026, signalling a significant shift in the United Kingdom’s approach to digital assets. According to government and central-bank sources, a formal consultation is scheduled for 10 November and the regulation is expected to align closely with forthcoming U. S. standards.

The framework will establish new standards for so-called “qualifying stablecoins” issued in the UK, stipulating full backing by secure liquid assets held in trust, mandatory redemption at par, and authorisation under the Financial Conduct Authority. For stablecoins deemed systemic—particularly those used for payments at scale—the BoE will assume additional supervisory and resolution responsibilities. The FCA’s Consultation Paper CP25/14 sets out much of this detail.

In public remarks, BoE Governor Andrew Bailey argued that widely-used stablecoins must be regulated in the same way as banks if they function as money-substitutes. He said they should access Bank accounts and adhere to depositor-protection regimes. The BoE itself has described the future payments landscape as one of “multi-money” — where tokenised deposits, central bank money and stablecoins coexist—provided the framework protects trust and financial stability.

The proposed regulatory timetable is part of a broader drive by UK authorities to maintain competitive positioning in global fintech, particularly as stablecoins gain traction in cross-border payments and tokenised-asset ecosystems. Industry experts note that the UK wants to keep pace with U. S. regulation to avoid regulatory arbitrage.

Under the current design, issuers of qualifying stablecoins will need authorisation by the FCA, must safeguard assets backing the coins by placing them in statutory trust arrangements, and maintain daily reconciliation between issued coins and backing assets. The consultation suggests a two-tier backing-asset regime: “core” assets and “expanded” assets subject to extra disclosure and modelling requirements.

From a technical infrastructure perspective, the BoE highlights that stablecoins may reduce the banking sector’s dominance over payments, but that the central bank must remain the settlement asset for systemically important markets. This position underpins the planned consultations and policy work around stablecoins’ role in the UK payments system.

Industry reaction is mixed. Some fintech firms and crypto-asset service providers welcome clarity, saying that clear rules reduce uncertainty and support investment. Others worry that too heavy or complex regulation might deter innovation or prevent start-ups from competing with global incumbents. One blog commentary described the framework as “a huge deal … but a nagging worry that too much focus on compliance might throw a wet blanket on the very innovation they are meant to encourage.”

The stakes are high for tokenised deposit initiatives within the UK banking system. Leading lenders including HSBC, NatWest Group and Lloyds Banking Group are pushing ahead with pilots of tokenised deposits through 2026. Regulators have been clear that although such deposits may be permitted within the current system, the stablecoin regulatory regime must take into account the potential threat of massive deposit flows leaving the banking sector.

One key tension lies in the setting of holding limits. The BoE has proposed initial caps on stablecoin holdings—for individuals perhaps in the order of £10,000 to £20,000—and higher for business entities, on the grounds that a swift migration out of bank deposits could undermine credit flows to households and firms. The caps would remain until the BoE is confident the stablecoin sector does not pose a systemic threat.

In this regulated-fork approach, oversight will be shared: The BoE will supervise systemic stablecoin issuers; the FCA will regulate non-systemic stablecoins and issuers under the regulated activities order. The Treasury has indicated that stablecoin issuance will not, for now, be brought directly into payment-services regulation.

By Nantoo Banerjee     There is nothing to be particularly shocked about Tata Capital stocks declining 2.4 percent below the company’s IPO issue price of Rs. 326 per share a day after its debut in intraday trade on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Tata Capital, a Tata Sons subsidiary, made a flat debut on Dalal Street on […]

The article SEBI Fails To Prevent Aggressive IPO Pricing To Protect Investors appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

The government of British Columbia has introduced legislation that would permanently ban new crypto-mining operations from connecting to the provincial grid via BC Hydro, and impose formal limits on power access for AI and data-centre operators. The bill, known as the Energy Statutes Amendment Act, aims to steer the province’s clean-electricity supply toward mining, LNG and natural-resource industries viewed as higher-priority than the high-load crypto sector.

Under the new framework, BC Hydro will no longer approve fresh power-grid connections for crypto-mining facilities. The moratorium first established in 2022 is now set to become law. In parallel, beginning in late 2025 the province will introduce an allocation process for electricity demanded by AI and data-centres: only a capped amount of power will be available to those sectors, and they must compete for it under stricter criteria.

Government officials say the shift reflects a need to address surging grid-demand from emerging industries and to ensure that public electricity resources deliver broad economic and employment benefits. Premier David Eby said the move will help the province “move faster” on major transmission infrastructure and support industrial growth in a planned megaproject in the northwest. Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix added: “Our new allocation framework will prioritise vital growth in sectors like mining, natural gas and lowest-emission LNG, while ensuring our clean energy is directed to projects that deliver the greatest benefit to British Columbians.”

The backdrop encompasses the looming construction of the North Coast Transmission Line, a roughly $6 billion project designed to bring new clean-electricity capacity to the province’s sparsely-electrified northwest. That infrastructure is central to the government’s strategy of prioritising industrial connections over speculative, high-load users such as crypto-mining farms.

Industry analysts have mixed reactions. Supporters say the policy reflects sound planning in a jurisdiction dependent on hydroelectric power and facing increasing pressure from multiple large-scale electricity users. They note that the high energy-intensity of crypto-mining—with relatively modest job creation and economic multiplier effects—makes it a less compelling candidate compared with mining, LNG, hydrogen and industrial AI. On the other hand, critics warn that the framework gives the government wide discretionary power, potentially reducing transparency and favouring incumbents. As one Green-party MLA noted: “With no detail on this framework or the criteria for decision-making in Bill 31, we are concerned that the minister will be the one making these consequential determinations under the influence of friends or lobbyists.”

The government has indicated that data-centres and AI firms will still be eligible for power, but will face competition under the new mechanism: for example, BC Hydro reportedly will allocate only about 300 megawatts for AI and 100 megawatts for data-centre use every two years. Those thresholds will represent a major scaling down in open-access grid connections for such technology users and signal a shift away from first-come, first-served power allocations.

For prospective crypto-miners, the measure marks a turning point. Major mining projects that had anticipated low-cost Canadian hydro power will face altered calculus: either repurpose for non-crypto uses, or relocate to jurisdictions with more open grid access. This may induce capital flight or slow the growth of a nascent mining industry in the province. Conversely, proponents of the policy argue it will preserve affordability for households and existing industrial users by preventing unmanaged load growth.

The government’s timing is also notable. The bill not only formalises the ban on new crypto-mining connections, but synchronises with the broader policy shift to accelerate the NCTL and re-shape grid access rules. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 and extend into the early 2030s. For the grid, this means a period of constrained supply allocation while demand from resource-intensive projects expands.

Community and Indigenous groups have been emphasising that increased industrial electrification must occur in consultation and benefit-sharing with First Nations. The legislation allows for First Nations co-ownership of the transmission line and signals a broader reconciliation dimension to the infrastructure strategy.

In the crypto-community the reaction is sharp. Firms and investors note that BC’s abundant hydro power was a major attraction to set up mining operations at scale. With the ban in place, developers will need to evaluate stranded-asset risk or shift to other Canadian provinces or international venues. Some warn that innovation in GPU- and AI-mining overlap may find itself constrained as power availability tightens.

From a global lens, British Columbia joins a growing cohort of jurisdictions imposing stricter controls on high-energy crypto-activities and re-examining how emerging tech intersects with energy policy. The regulation underscores the tension between rapid tech growth and public-utility responsibilities in regions reliant on renewables and constrained transmission.

Tokyo’s financial regulator is advancing a proposal that would permit domestic banks to directly invest in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and operate crypto exchanges, marking a significant shift from earlier restrictions. The Financial Services Agency is set to present its plans to the Financial System Council—an advisory body to the prime minister—later this month.

Under the existing regime promulgated in 2020, Japanese banks have been effectively barred from acquiring and holding digital assets for investment purposes, owing to concerns about volatility and financial-stability risk. The new regulatory blueprint would align crypto asset holdings by banks with traditional financial instruments such as stocks and government bonds, while introducing capital and risk-management requirements tailored to the asset class.

According to data cited by the FSA, Japan’s crypto account holdings have climbed past 12 million as of February 2025—a roughly 3.5-fold increase over five years. The surge in retail interest is growing pressure on regulators to provide greater clarity and institutional-grade infrastructure. Amid this backdrop, the proposed reforms aim to usher in a more integrated digital-asset ecosystem under the purview of regulated financial institutions.

The FSA’s initiative encompasses three key pillars: Firstly, banks would be authorised to purchase and hold unbacked crypto assets for trading or investment, subject to strict internal controls and exposure limits.  Secondly, bank groups may register as licensed “cryptocurrency exchange operators,” effectively allowing them to offer trading and custody services in-house rather than relying solely on third-party platforms.  Thirdly, the FSA plans to shift oversight of digital assets from the current Payment Services Act regime into the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act framework, thereby affording crypto the same legal mould as securities.

Banking groups in Japan are already responding. Three of the country’s largest financial institutions—Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group—have announced a joint plan to issue a yen-pegged stablecoin for corporate settlements, signalling a broader shift into digital assets.

Supporters of the reforms argue that allowing regulated banks to engage with crypto assets will bolster investor protections, improve custody and transactional infrastructure, and widen market access. “This reform will treat cryptocurrencies similar to other investible asset classes under bank supervision,” noted one industry analyst. However, sceptics caution that the volatility of cryptocurrencies remains elevated and that exposure must be managed carefully to prevent end-user or systemic risk.

Regulatory design will therefore place a heavy emphasis on limiting banks’ direct holdings of digital assets relative to their capital base, imposing heightened disclosure and governance mandates. One working-group paper recommends that banks maintain separate risk-allocations and stress-testing frameworks for crypto, akin to those used for foreign-exchange or commodity trading desks.

The tax and legal context are also evolving. Japan is preparing to introduce a flat 20 % capital-gains tax on crypto assets as part of its 2025 reforms, and certain tokens are slated to be reclassified as securities under the FIEA. These measures are designed to reduce uncertainty for institutional participants and global investors seeking regulated exposure to digital assets.

Market participants appear cautiously optimistic. Some regional banks are exploring pilot custody services for institutional clients, while fintech firms anticipate greater collaboration with mainstream banks as eligibility expands. On the flip side, legacy concerns persist: past hacks and exchange failures have left regulators and consumers wary of governance failures and inadequate transparency.

Riyadh — The inaugural edition of FIBO Arabia drew a total of 12,399 participants from regional and international markets to the three-day expo at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center, signalling a notable step in Saudi Arabia’s push to define itself as a wellness and fitness hub in the Middle East.

The event, held under the theme “For a Strong and Healthy Society” and aligned with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda, was conducted under the strategic partnership of the Ministry of Investment, the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Health. More than 80 exhibitors from around 18 countries participated, while attendees were presented with more than 50 industry-leading speakers across live arenas and conference forums.

One of the centre-piece announcements was the launch of the first Fitness Sector Development Report for the Kingdom, spearheaded by the Ministry of Sport in collaboration with advisory firm CAA Portas. The report projects the domestic fitness industry could expand to a value of SAR 15.5 billion by 2030, driven by policy reforms, investor interest and a growing consumer base.

International brands such as Technogym, Life Fitness, Keiser Corporation and Therabody featured in the line-up, underscoring the global interest in the kingdom’s wellness market. The conference programme included global fitness strategist Herman Rutgers and Morgan Stanley’s Alexey Naumov among its headline speakers.

Speakers and industry insiders described the event as a sign that the Gulf region is moving into a higher gear in terms of wellness infrastructure, investment and consumer engagement. “The success of FIBO Arabia’s inaugural edition reflects both the strength of Saudi Arabia’s wellness economy and the appetite for innovation, collaboration and growth across the industry,” said Vasyl Zhygalo, Managing Director of RX Middle East and Emerging Markets.

A particularly prominent feature of the expo was its emphasis on inclusivity and community participation. Female-led sessions and anecdotes of women athletes such as Nelly Attar — recognised as the first Arab woman to climb K2 — and Saudi fitness professional Rawan Al Saadi featured in discussions on access, empowerment and facility design. Meanwhile, event organisers hosted a variety of live arenas: a Performance Arena, a Strength Arena, a Tech Arena, a Calisthenics Arena, and a Group Fitness Arena powered by Les Mills.

Business-to-business networking and investment matchmaking were core to the strategy. The ecosystem included gym operators, wellness technology firms, nutrition solution providers and investors seeking access to opportunities in the region. One panel commented on how the kingdom’s younger demographic, rising female participation, and regulatory support combine to make the market appealing. The Fitness Sector Development Report cites private-sector expansion and policy reform among the key growth drivers.

Notably, the event’s timing and format reflect a regional pivot from traditional oil-led growth toward wellness, lifestyle and economy diversification. Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing its ecosystem was underscored through both government support and the presence of global industry players. Industry experts observed that the applied technology, live experiences and cross-border brand involvement distinguish FIBO Arabia from earlier regional trade shows in the fitness sector.

Visitor figures of 12,399 set a baseline for the event’s future editions. The organisers have already announced that FIBO Arabia will return to the same venue from 29 September to 1 October 2026.