Here is the cryptocurrency news for the past week from Japan. The nation's Financial Services Agency revealed feedback in the form of 172 comments from citizens about the recent cryptocurrency asset laws that are slated to go into effect on May 1 of this year. Those laws cover several aspects of cryptocurrency use and transactions, including security token offerings, cryptocurrency asset wallets and derivatives. The regulations are scheduled to be implemented on May 1.

The Cabinet Office Ordinance of Japan recently publicized altered regulations around cryptocurrency. Those should also go into effect on May 1. This set of regulatory rules is called the Revised Funds Settlement Act. It relates to the settlement of digital assets.

The Zaif cryptocurrency exchange of Japan announced its plan to take out three cryptocurrency assets from its platform. The plan is for it to delete Bit Crystals, Pepe Cash and Storage Coin X. These trade under the respective monikers of BCY, Pepe Cash and SJCX. They will be removed from the platform on April 30.

The leader of the BitBank Exchange predicts that there will soon be some cryptocurrency mergers. Hiroyuki Mihara is the leader of BitBank Exchange. His prediction is that many exchanges will merge in 2020, particularly over the next few months. Those mergers are related to the regulatory changes that are about to take place in Japan in May. The Payment Services Act and Financial Instruments and Exchange Act will be the main contributors to mergers.

Mihara added that laws include doubling the current leverage limits, which could increase competition between exchanges. He added that some advantages, such as smaller trading spreads and more liquidity could result.

Nomura Research Institute launched Japan’s first bond based on blockchain. The Nomura Research Institute released two unsecured blockchain bonds for corporations. One is for compensated interest, and the other is for monetary interest. The bond offering includes the firm's blockchain venture fund called Boostry. It also includes the firm's subsidiaries Nomura Securities, and Nomura Trust and Banking. Its Nomura Institute of Capital Markets Research created a study group around more blockchain research for Japan.