Welcome to the Asia Pacific Morning Brief—your essential digest of overnight crypto developments shaping regional markets and global sentiment. Grab a green tea and watch this space.
Korea’s crypto taxation faces another extension beyond 2027 amid political concerns. Casio’s G-SHOCK brand enters metaverse gaming with exclusive NFTs. Mercari partners with Coincheck to expand Japan’s crypto accessibility through established marketplace infrastructure.
Korea Crypto Taxation Faces Another Potential Delay
National Assembly Finance Committee Chair Lim Lee-ja said that Korea’s crypto tax system remains incomplete. The opposition People Power Party lawmaker suggested the current 2027 implementation timeline could face further extensions. Tax framework preparations continue amid ongoing political and technical challenges.
Lim highlighted that 9.6-9.7 million Koreans actively trade digital assets, with 47% under age 30. However, the ruling Democratic Party shows hesitation despite advocating taxation where income exists. Political sensitivity around the 2026 local elections complicates legislative progress.
The crypto tax, originally scheduled for 2025, was already postponed to January 2027. Bipartisan concerns about system readiness and voter sentiment drive continued delays.
G-SHOCK Ventures into Metaverse Gaming
Japanese electronics giant Casio launched a G-SHOCK CITY partnership with the Sandbox metaverse platform. Casio, famous for digital watches and calculators, offers free gaming experiences inspired by durability tests. Players can engage with virtual toughness challenges reflecting G-SHOCK’s rugged brand identity.
The limited-edition NFT avatars feature signature G-SHOCK models, including DW-5600 and GA-110 styles. The digital collectibles target Web3 communities and blockchain enthusiasts. Furthermore, exclusive releases aim to strengthen brand engagement through innovative virtual experiences.
G-SHOCK’s metaverse strategy seeks to capture both loyal customers and younger demographics. Meanwhile, the blockchain integration enhances interactive gameplay while building digital brand presence.
Mercari Expands Crypto Trading Through Coincheck Partnership
Mercari subsidiary Mercoin announced a strategic partnership with crypto exchange Coincheck for an early 2026 rollout. The Japanese e-commerce giant operates Japan’s largest community-powered marketplace with over 10 billion yen monthly transactions. The collaboration enables users to access broader crypto asset trading capabilities through established infrastructure.
The partnership targets Japan’s crypto adoption acceleration through Mercari’s massive user base. Ninety percent of Mercari users represent first-time crypto participants seeking accessible entry points. Coincheck’s industry leadership provides technical expertise for seamless user experience integration.
Strategic alliance combines Japan’s dominant secondhand marketplace with a specialized crypto trading platform. User-friendly interfaces aim to simplify digital asset transactions for mainstream audiences. Partnership represents a significant expansion of crypto accessibility within Japan’s retail ecosystem.
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