This Week In Crypto Asia: India Pushes CBDC, China Bets on AI, Japan Eyes Payments Boom

In our Crypto Asia News roundup for the week, we see how Asia’s crypto landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation. There is now state-backed innovation happening, strategic partnerships are being made and there is a rising institutional momentum at play. From CBDCs to AI-powered platforms and payment integrations, there is something new happening everyday.

Here’s are the big hitters from this week.

Crypto News Asia: India Doubles Down On CBDCs

India is doubling down on its CBDC program and has maintained its tough stance on private cryptocurrencies.

According to a local publication, Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the Indian government will intensify its efforts around the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Digital Rupee. He cited benefits like faster transactions, reduced paper usage and enhanced traceability for the government’s push for CBDCs in the country.

The CBDC pilot began in late 2022 in India and is seen as a way to modernize payments without embracing decentralized crypto assets.

Goyal reaffirmed that while private cryptocurrencies are not banned in the country, they will continue to be heavily taxed to discourage usage.

Simultaneously, this aligns with India’s broader policy of not granting legitimacy to crypto through regulation. A September government document cited by Reuters emphasized that regulating crypto would imply formal recognition, which India is keen to avoid.

Roadblocks notwithstanding, India remains a global leader in crypto adoption, topping Chainalysis’s ranking for the second year in a row.

Moreover, India leads in retail, institutional and DeFi activity across the Asia-Pacific region, which brings the disconnect between grassroots crypto enthusiasm and official policy into sharp focus.

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China Raises $11.1 Million To Build A Crypto-AI Investment Platform

China Financial Leasing Group, listed in Hong-Kong is make a move into the digital asset space. The leasing group announced a $11.1 million share placement to fund the development of a Crypto-AI Investment platform.

The capital required for this venture will come from Innoval Capital, a British Virgin Islands based firm. Moore Xin Jin, CEO of Nasdaq listed Antalpha Platform Holding Company will lead the project.

The platform aims to invest in digital assets including stablecoins, BTC, ETH, RWAs, NFTs, DeFi and DePIN. Simultaneously, it aims to integrate AI-driven asset management tools.

Additionally, this initiative is directly in line with Hong Kong’s June 2025 policy statement that promoted digital asset innovation and aims for a coordinated push towards becoming Asia’s crypto capital.

According to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 5 October 2025, the project will see Innoval Capital acquire 69.38 million new shares at HK$1.25 each, representing 20% of existing share capital and 16.7% of the post-placement base.

China Financial Leasing Group’s stock surged by more than 25% after this announcement, reflecting a strong market connection with its pivot towards blockchain and AI.

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Bybit Secures UAE’s First Virtual Asset License From SCA

Crypto exchange, Bybit has received a full operational license from the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), becoming the first exchange to do so.

With the license secured, Bybit will now be able to offer its virtual asset services across the country.

This license follows Bybit’s earlier in-principle approval (IPA) from the SCA in February 2025, with support from Abu Dhabi’s Blockchain Centre to navigate the rules of the country.

As a result, Bybit will now be able to provide brokerage, custody, and trading services for digital assets under the UAE’s federal regulatory framework.

Bybit CEO Ben Zhou stated, “Receiving the full Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the SCA is a testament to Bybit’s unwavering commitment to building trust through compliance and transparency,”

The exchange has already established its headquarters in Dubai’s DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) and this license further cements its role in the region’s evolving crypto landscape.

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Crypto News Asia: PAYPAY Acquires 40% Of Binance Japan To Fasttrack Cashless Payments

Japanese mobile payment giant, PayPay, backed by SoftBank has acquired 40% stake in Binance Japan in a bid to integrate crypto into mainstream digital payments.

The aim here is to combine PayPay’s 60 million plus user base with Binance Japan’s crypto infrastructure to accelerate crypto adoption across Japan’s retail and financial sectors.

The partnership, announced on 9 October 2025, will focus on developing crypto payment solutions, expanding access to digital assets, and leveraging Binance’s global expertise in compliance and trading.

It also aligns with Japan’s broader push to become a regional crypto leader, especially as institutional interest and regulatory clarity improve.

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The post This Week In Crypto Asia: India Pushes CBDC, China Bets on AI, Japan Eyes Payments Boom appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

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