[2017-05-02]Bitcoin Exchanges Multiply in Japan as Demand from Institutional Inv

[Sunmerdy]

Bitcoin Exchanges Multiply in Japan as Demand from Institutional Investors Rises
One short month after Japan started recognizing Bitcoin as a method of payment, more than ten new companies in the country are reportedly applying to become bitcoin exchanges. Meanwhile, institutional investors are increasingly gaining interest in the digital currency.
Japan Ripe for Bitcoin Exchange Business

Bitcoin Exchanges Multiply in Japan as Demand From Institutional Investors RisesOn April 1, Japan officially began recognizing Bitcoin as a method of payment. A week later, some major retailers announced their plans to accept the digital currency. Bic Camera, using the payment system provided by the world’s largest bitcoin exchange by volume, Bitflyer, started accepting bitcoin at two of its stores on April 7. Meanwhile, bitcoin exchange Coincheck has partnered with Recruit Lifestyle to bring bitcoin payments to over 260,000 stores by this summer.

In addition, the Japanese government has announced that starting in July consumption tax will no longer apply to the sales and purchases of bitcoin.

Soon, more than 10 new companies will be entering the space for the first time, Nikkei Asian Review reports on Tuesday, citing that the new regulations require bitcoin exchanges in Japan to obtain a special license. The Japan Cryptocurrency Business Association told the publication that approximately 18 businesses are planning to apply for a license, including existing exchanges such as Bitflyer as well.

Big Players Entering the Race

Some major corporations are also entering the race to become bitcoin exchanges, Nikkei details. They include SBI Holidings, GMO Internet Group, Kabi.com Securities and Money Partners Group.

Bitcoin Exchanges Multiply in Japan as Demand From Institutional Investors RisesLast October, SBI Holidings announced that it was launching a bitcoin exchange called “SBI Virtual Currencies.” The company explained at the time that this platform would provide digital currency exchange and trading services for SBI group companies.

In January, Japan’s leading provider of Internet services GMO Internet Group announced its plan to develop a bitcoin exchange and wallet service. The group is “establishing its own company [bitcoin exchange], with plans to increase the number of digital currencies it trades based on demand,” Nikkei confirms this week.

Bitcoin Exchanges Multiply in Japan as Demand From Institutional Investors RisesTwo other companies planning to enter the field are Kabu.com Securities and foreign exchange trader Money Partners Group. Kabu.com Securities is the only dedicated online securities company within the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Group. Money Partner Group is one of Japan’s leading foreign exchange brokerage firms. In April 2016, the company invested in San Francisco-based bitcoin exchange Kraken.

Demand from Institutional Investors

“Many new players are interested in turning such currencies into a new investment option,” Nikkei wrote, adding that a source at one company told them that “there is demand among our clients for cryptocurrencies, given their rising value.”

Brian Kelly Capital is an investment management firm catering to institutional investors and high net worth individuals. “I don’t think this is hot money. This is real money that’s going to sit around and build the new internet,” the firm’s founder Brian Kelly said, citing his conversations with institutions and other investors. He shares:

The biggest driver right now is you’re starting to see institutional investors take a keen interest in the entire sector.
https://news.bitcoin.com/bitcoin-exchanges-japan-demand-institutional-investors-rises/

[panju1]

Institutional investors (in Japan or other regions) can be a game changer. They can provide a boost to Bitcoin's price and take it to the next level. Given the limited supply of bitcoins, demand from these investors can lead to a moon shot.

[Qartada]

Perfect.  In an ideal world, people would treat Bitcoin (from the "digital gold" side) like this:

-In areas with high inflation or even moderate inflation, many people treat Bitcoin as a convenient hedge against it which doesn't require the burden of storing gold.

-Institutional investors consider it a key part of a diversified portfolio because all Bitcoin needs for the price to stay up is for people to leave their money in it.

Actually, ideally it could even be a default currency for investments.  If people want to buy stocks or assets, they should be able to buy them with Bitcoin instead of online fiat currency as it's theoretically capable of extreme stability due to the fixed supply.

[coszy]

Perfect.  In an ideal world, people would treat Bitcoin (from the "digital gold" side) like this:

-In areas with high inflation or even moderate inflation, many people treat Bitcoin as a convenient hedge against it which doesn't require the burden of storing gold.

-Institutional investors consider it a key part of a diversified portfolio because all Bitcoin needs for the price to stay up is for people to leave their money in it.

Actually, ideally it could even be a default currency for investments.  If people want to buy stocks or assets, they should be able to buy them with Bitcoin instead of online fiat currency as it's theoretically capable of extreme stability due to the fixed supply.

This is certainly a very strong approach when securities can be bought to buy for Bitcoin. Thus a person to protect himself from unexpected tragedy with a crypto currency and will receive a good income.

[richardsNY]

Institutional investors (in Japan or other regions) can be a game changer. They can provide a boost to Bitcoin's price and take it to the next level. Given the limited supply of bitcoins, demand from these investors can lead to a moon shot.

If globally billions of institutional capital flows into Bitcoin on a regular basis, then we'll see the price reach the $10,000 level much faster than most people would think is possible. Combine that with potentially a few ETF's, and we'll blast even through the $10,000 level. I am so happy that I have been holding my coins firmly throughout the years, that the results give me enough motivation and dedication to keep holding for many more years.

[BitcoinPanther]

There is a big possibility that Japan will the worldwide Bitcoin adoption.  They did not hesitate to take advantage of Bitcoin feature and even exempting Bitcoin users from consumption tax.  Way to go to encourage users to try and use Bitcoin.  And with major company's flocking in to Bitcoin in Japan, I cannot wait to see these billion of dollars of funds coming in to Bitcoin ecosystem.

[felipehermanns]

Institutional investors (in Japan or other regions) can be a game changer. They can provide a boost to Bitcoin's price and take it to the next level. Given the limited supply of bitcoins, demand from these investors can lead to a moon shot.

If globally billions of institutional capital flows into Bitcoin on a regular basis, then we'll see the price reach the $10,000 level much faster than most people would think is possible. Combine that with potentially a few ETF's, and we'll blast even through the $10,000 level. I am so happy that I have been holding my coins firmly throughout the years, that the results give me enough motivation and dedication to keep holding for many more years.

I think this year will be a game change for BTC.

Hope this BU shit stop with this hardfork and we move on with BTC  to the moon

[freebutcaged]

Which rising stars in cryptocurrency's sky their clients have in mind? they are now all have gone super nova and are falling from the sky.
And when they say why Bitcoin is the king? as exchanging services are concerned which we already have plenty of them any alternative pair for Bitcoin trading is equal to money so better for them.
As for this saying we have in crypto land; never keep coins on exchanges because doing so will as well give them some sense of being in power=centralization pattern start to form.

[anavuajna]

Which rising stars in cryptocurrency's sky their clients have in mind? they are now all have gone super nova and are falling from the sky.
And when they say why Bitcoin is the king? as exchanging services are concerned which we already have plenty of them any alternative pair for Bitcoin trading is equal to money so better for them.
As for this saying we have in crypto land; never keep coins on exchanges because doing so will as well give them some sense of being in power=centralization pattern start to form.

Can this pattern or misleading? But what if one day everything becomes obsolete, and then how to get your money back?

[richardsNY]

I think this year will be a game change for BTC.

So far basically every year has been a good one for Bitcoin's adoption in general. I relate a good Bitcoin year to the increasing usage/adoption, and not really to massive price increases. That's why this year isn't any different from previous years -- unless we unexpectedly get to see the WV ETF approved.

Hope this BU shit stop with this hardfork and we move on with BTC  to the moon

It will fade away to the background at some point, but never totally die off. Mainly because of the hidden agenda intentions of those that are trying to force through a poisonous ideology that will be of their own benefit.

[veleten]

Japan can lead the 10k price to the moon race
its influence on this year's adoption and price increase cannot be underestimated
with the new exchanges (more than 10 new ones) and businesses open,Japan can and shall be the locomotive that drives the price up
BitFlyer,a japanese exchange,for example,is already beating Poloniex on trading volumes
it is not an easy feat for a relatively new exchange to achieve