Asia Web3 Alliance Japan has formally submitted a proposal to the US Securities and Change Fee’s (SEC) Crypto Job Power, urging the creation of a joint regulatory partnership between Japan and america to advance tokenization and web3 improvement.
The proposal, dated March 25 and addressed to Commissioner Hester Peirce, known as for a coordinated effort to cut back regulatory uncertainty, align authorized frameworks, and foster inclusive digital asset markets.
The initiative seeks to ascertain a structured collaboration between the SEC and Japanese authorities, together with the Monetary Providers Company (JFSA), the Ministry of Economic system, Commerce and Trade (METI), and the Financial institution of Japan (BOJ), to develop shared requirements for tokenized belongings and blockchain innovation.
The proposal emphasised that the shortage of authorized readability and interoperability between jurisdictions stays a major barrier to the sustainable improvement of tokenized economies in each nations.
Asia Web3 Alliance President Hinza Asif stated:
“Tokenization will probably be a foundational pillar of future economies. Japan and america share a accountability to co-create a secure, modern, and inclusive digital monetary system.”
Trade issues
The proposal outlines a number of areas of concern for Japanese web3 startups, together with the shortage of a transparent classification system for tokens.
Many tasks battle to find out whether or not their belongings qualify as securities, commodities, stablecoins, or utility tokens, which considerably raises compliance dangers.
Moreover, the absence of a proper regulatory pathway for token choices has made it troublesome for rising firms to launch merchandise domestically or increase globally.
The alliance famous that whereas Japan has taken steps to modernize its digital asset coverage setting, regulatory steering stays fragmented and overly burdensome.
Startups should navigate inconsistent tax therapy and duplicative authorized evaluations, typically resulting in delays and elevated operational prices. With out regulatory reciprocity, many companies are additionally excluded from taking part within the US market, additional limiting their entry to capital and strategic partnerships.
Core goals
To handle these challenges, the alliance is proposing the launch of a US-Japan Tokenization and Web3 Regulatory Collaboration Program.
The initiative would prioritize the event of a harmonized token classification framework, enabling each governments to outline classes corresponding to “tokenized securities,” “utility tokens,” and “non-security digital belongings” utilizing constant language. It additionally really helpful steering on distinguishing between native digital belongings and conventional monetary devices issued through blockchain expertise.
One other core ingredient of the proposal is regulatory interoperability. The alliance is encouraging mutual recognition of compliant tokenized choices, permitting cross-border issuance with reciprocal disclosure necessities.
To assist innovation on the early levels, the proposal advocates for the introduction of a secure harbor mechanism in Japan modeled after the SEC’s discussions. This mechanism would enable startups to function inside a supervised sandbox setting with a transparent path to compliance.
Shared requirements
The proposal additionally addresses the necessity for shared requirements on token buying and selling and custody. It urged regulators to construct a typical framework for licensed custodians and buying and selling platforms, making it simpler to checklist and switch tokenized belongings acknowledged in each jurisdictions.
Moreover, it requires the creation of a bilateral web3 regulatory roundtable to assist ongoing dialogue, share coverage updates, and coordinate joint analysis.
As a subsequent step, the alliance has requested a digital planning assembly with the SEC’s Crypto Job Power and related Japanese companies to provoke discussions.
It is usually proposing the formation of a joint working group of authorized and coverage consultants to map regulatory gaps and customary floor between each nations.
As a part of a pilot section, the alliance urged choosing a number of US and Japanese startups to take part in a cross-border sandbox to check compliant token issuance beneath the brand new framework.