KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Friday amid mixed regional market performance as investors turned cautious over a possible rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and upcoming US economic data that may influence the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision next week. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) pared most earlier losses to settle 4.55 points easier, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,616.52 from Thursday’s close of 1,621.07. The benchmark index, which opened 0.37 of-a-point lower at 1,620.70, moved between 1,609.67 and 1,621.25 throughout the day. The broader market was negative, with decliners outpacing advancers 604 to 439. A total of 550 counters were unchanged, 1,151 untraded, and 18 suspended. Turnover declined to 3.17 billion units worth RM2.24 billion from 4.48 billion units worth RM2.75 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-presiden...
Japan Exchange Group Inc (JPX) is weighing new measures to curb the rapid rise of listed companies shifting into aggressive cryptocurrency accumulation, as the market downturn leaves retail investors nursing steep losses.
People familiar with the discussions said JPX is considering tighter enforcement of backdoor listing rules and may require firms to undergo fresh audits if they pivot toward digital-asset treasury strategies. The proposals remain under review and no final decision has been taken.
Since September, at least three Japanese listed firms have paused plans to begin buying cryptocurrency following pushback from the exchange, one person said. JPX reportedly warned that companies pursuing large-scale crypto purchases could face restrictions on future fundraising.
While JPX has no explicit ban against listed entities accumulating crypto, it said it is monitoring companies that pose governance and risk concerns, with the aim of safeguarding investors.
The scrutiny follows a sharp collapse in so-called digital-asset treasury (DAT) stocks, which previously surged as companies adopted the Bitcoin-hoarding model popularised by Strategy Inc’s Michael Saylor. Shares of Strategy, holder of roughly US$66 billion in Bitcoin, have fallen by half since mid-July.
Japan stands out in Asia for allowing such firms to thrive—housing 14 listed Bitcoin accumulators, the most in the region. Other Asia-Pacific markets, including Hong Kong, have resisted similar listings.
Among the most high-profile cases is Metaplanet Inc, Japan’s largest DAT operator, whose shares have dropped more than 75% from their June peak after a 420% rally earlier in the year. The company holds over 30,000 Bitcoin, having pivoted from its previous hotel business. Nail salon chain Convano Inc, which announced plans to buy 21,000 Bitcoin, has slid about 60% since August.
The exchange’s potential tightening is driven by concerns that public investors are bearing the brunt of volatile digital-asset strategies, raising questions about whether listed firms should be allowed to transform themselves into crypto-holding vehicles without enhanced oversight.
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