QUOINE raises $20m to become first regulated Bitcoin exchange in Japan

Singaporean Bitcoin exchange QUOINE, which is seeking to become among the first regulated Bitcoin exchanges in Japan, has successfully raised $20m, on the back of the Japanese government having recently passed a bill authorising and regulating digital currency exchanges, with a view to legitimising all forms of digital currencies. QUOINE was formed in 2014 and has introduced futures trading on Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

Singapore based Bitcoin Bitcoin While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that Read this Term exchange QUOINE announced today the successful completion of its Series A funding round, raising up to $20 million. The round was led by Japan's largest venture capital firm, JAFCO (formerly the Japan Associated Finance Co., Ltd.).

QUOINE was founded in 2014 and this year has introduced futures trading on Ethereum Ethereum Ethereum is an open source, blockchain-based distributed computing platform and operating system featuring smart contract functionality. Created in 2014, Ethereum now stands as the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap at the time of writing.As a decentralized cryptocurrency network and software platform, Ethereum represents the most prominent altcoin. Ethereum also enables the creation Distributed Applications, or dapps. Understanding EthereumEthereum boasts its own programming language, Ethereum is an open source, blockchain-based distributed computing platform and operating system featuring smart contract functionality. Created in 2014, Ethereum now stands as the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap at the time of writing.As a decentralized cryptocurrency network and software platform, Ethereum represents the most prominent altcoin. Ethereum also enables the creation Distributed Applications, or dapps. Understanding EthereumEthereum boasts its own programming language, Read this Term (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC).

Commenting about the plans for the use of the new capital, the startup's management wrote: "Our fundraising has come at a crucial time for the digital currency industry in Japan, as the Japanese government recently passed a bill that officially recognizes and regulates digital currency exchanges. This new law provides clear regulatory guidelines and a framework toward full legitimacy of digital currencies.

We will use the funds to ensure that QUOINE will be among the first regulated exchanges in Japan when the rules come into effect in 2017."

Japanese Experience

The Singaporean Bitcoin exchange also announced two key appointments that will help its Japanese expansion plans.

Mike Kayamori recently became CEO of QUOINE, bringing with him a wealth of experience as a senior vice president at Softbank where he managed investments, partnerships and operations in Asia.

Another key appointment has been Ken Mazzio, who joins QUOINE as Head of Compliance and Information Security. Having previously held senior roles at Merrill Lynch, Barclays and ANZ, Ken is well placed to assist QUOINE in navigating the challenging regulatory landscape in Japan.