Asia Web3 Alliance Japan has formally submitted a proposal to the US Securities and Change Fee’s (SEC) Crypto Process Power, urging the creation of a joint regulatory partnership between Japan and the USA to advance tokenization and web3 growth.
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 determine a structured collaboration between the SEC and Japanese authorities, together with the Monetary Providers Company (JFSA), the Ministry of Financial system, Commerce and Business (METI), and the Financial institution of Japan (BOJ), to develop shared requirements for tokenized property and blockchain innovation.
The proposal emphasised that the shortage of authorized readability and interoperability between jurisdictions stays a big barrier to the sustainable growth of tokenized economies in each nations.
Asia Web3 Alliance President Hinza Asif mentioned:
“Tokenization can be a foundational pillar of future economies. Japan and the USA share a duty to co-create a protected, modern, and inclusive digital monetary system.”
Business considerations
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 initiatives wrestle to find out whether or not their property 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 steerage stays fragmented and overly burdensome.
Startups should navigate inconsistent tax therapy and duplicative authorized critiques, typically resulting in delays and elevated operational prices. With out regulatory reciprocity, many corporations are additionally excluded from collaborating within the US market, additional limiting their entry to capital and strategic partnerships.
Core goals
To deal with 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 equivalent to “tokenized securities,” “utility tokens,” and “non-security digital property” utilizing constant language. It additionally advisable steerage on distinguishing between native digital property and conventional monetary devices issued by way of blockchain know-how.
One other core aspect 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 phases, the proposal advocates for the introduction of a protected 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 standard framework for licensed custodians and buying and selling platforms, making it simpler to listing and switch tokenized property 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 Process Power and related Japanese companies to provoke discussions.
Additionally it is proposing the formation of a joint working group of authorized and coverage consultants to map regulatory gaps and customary floor between each international locations.
As a part of a pilot section, the alliance prompt deciding on 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.