Japan’s Nail Salon Powers Green Bitcoin Mining—While Korea Tightens Stablecoin Rules

From manicures to mining rigs: A Tokyo nail salon flips the script by harnessing pedicure-chair energy for carbon-neutral BTC. Meanwhile, Seoul’s regulators sharpen their pencils—stablecoins are officially on notice.

Green Bitcoin Goes Glam

Forget industrial warehouses—Japan’s latest crypto mining operation runs on salon-grade hydrotherapy foot baths and UV nail lamps. The unorthodox setup reportedly cuts energy costs by 40% versus conventional farms, proving sustainability sometimes wears acrylic tips.

Korean Regulators Circle Stablecoins

Across the Sea of Japan, financial watchdogs draft stricter reserve requirements for algorithmic stablecoins. Insiders whisper the rules could drop before Q4—because nothing says 'monetary stability' like last-minute policy changes.

As Asia redefines crypto’s boundaries, one truth remains: finance will tokenize anything—even your gel manicure’s carbon footprint.

Here’s a breakdown of the top stories shaping crypto sentiment in Asia today:

Convano Enters bitcoin Mining — The Green Way

Japanese nail salon company Convano, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, has officially started green Bitcoin mining operations. While the beauty industry might seem far removed from crypto mining, Convano is showing how traditional businesses can diversify their portfolios and embrace the digital economy.

The company’s new mining infrastructure is powered by low-cost electricity markets and integrates renewable energy sources, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. By using dynamic load control systems, Convano is optimizing energy usage, thereby slashing operational costs.

What’s more, the company is blending this mining venture with its expanding AI data center business. The synergy is not just about shared resources — like cooling systems and cybersecurity — but also about long-term innovation. According to company statements, this integration is designed to create efficient operations that benefit both its AI and crypto units.

Convano has set a bold target: to mine 21,000 BTC by March 2027, aiming to average 10 BTC per month. It plans to use a hybrid treasury model, combining mined Bitcoin with BTC acquired from the market. The goal? To establish financial stability and crypto reserves as a strategic asset.

South Korea Reviews Stablecoin AML Risks

Across the Sea of Japan, South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is stepping up its crypto regulatory game. In a MOVE aligned with global AML trends, the FIU has started a full-scale review of money laundering risks tied to stablecoins.

The project, running through December 2025, has been allocated a 50 million won (approx. $38,000 USD) budget. It focuses on analyzing how stablecoins are being used in domestic payments, cross-border remittances, and whether they pose new financial crime threats.

Currently, South Korean law lacks clear definitions or oversight mechanisms for stablecoins. This regulatory gray area has prompted the FIU to benchmark its standards against international guidelines — including those from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), European Union’s MiCA, and U.S. Treasury proposals.

Some of the key aspects under review include:

• Travel Rule enforcement

• Suspicious transaction reporting

• Capital reserve requirements for issuers

• Cross-border transfer tracking

Globally, countries are tightening stablecoin regulations. Japan, for instance, allows only licensed financial institutions to issue stablecoins, while the EU treats them as e-money requiring strict oversight. South Korea’s review indicates it could follow a similar path, potentially reshaping the country’s crypto environment.

Japan Open Chain Unveils Cross-Chain Token JOCX

In another major development, Japan Open Chain (JOC) — an enterprise-grade blockchain built with regulatory compliance in mind — has revealed the start of JOCX, a new cross-chain token pegged 1:1 to its native JOC.

This ERC-20 token is powered by LayerZero’s omnichain protocol, enabling seamless token transfers across various blockchain ecosystems including:

• Ethereum

• Avalanche

• Base

• Arbitrum

The JOCX model allows users to burn tokens on one network and redeem the equivalent value on another. This facilitates direct decentralized trading with major cryptocurrencies like ETH, thereby improving liquidity and usability.

Japan Open Chain is backed by fourteen major Japanese companies, including advertising giant Dentsu, giving the platform strong enterprise legitimacy. With the JOCX token, JOC is aiming to become a cornerstone in Japan’s interoperable, compliant DeFi infrastructure.

HashKey Partners With Hong Kong Web3 Association

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, HashKey Chain has inked a strategic partnership with the Hong Kong Web3.0 Standardization Association. revealed at the 2025 Anchoring Web3 Summit, the collaboration will work to standardize Real World Asset (RWA) infrastructure.

Areas of focus include:

• Research and development

• Financial services integration

• Technology innovation

• Ecosystem building

As more RWAs enter the blockchain space, such standards will become critical in enabling real-world asset tokenization that’s both secure and legally compliant.

Final Thoughts

Asia’s crypto scene continues to evolve at a rapid pace. From unexpected players like nail salons mining Bitcoin with a green twist, to regulators tightening the screws on stablecoins, the region is showcasing a diverse mix of innovation and responsibility.

Convano’s bold BTC mining plan shows that any industry can adapt to the crypto wave with the right strategy and vision. Meanwhile, South Korea’s regulatory steps echo a global consensus: stablecoins must be safe, secure, and AML-compliant.

With increasing interoperability and partnerships like those from Japan Open Chain and HashKey, Asia is well on its way to setting the standard for the next phase of blockchain adoption.