Svmuu reports that the Japanese House of Representatives has passed a bill to regulate cryptocurrencies under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, bringing them closer to the regulatory framework applied to stocks and other investment products. The new rules, expected to take effect next year, will classify crypto assets as financial instruments, involving reduced tax burdens, stricter trading rules, and paving the way for the launch of crypto asset ETFs. The bill also introduces insider trading bans similar to those in stock markets, stricter disclosure requirements, investment caps for unaudited token issuances, and significantly increased penalties for unregistered crypto business operators. (CoinDesk)