According to reports, Japan’s Justice Ministry is considering revising an asset seizure statute connected to organized crime. This is expected to include a provision allowing crypto to be hijacked in such cases.
A possible modification of the Act on Organized Crimes and the Control of Proceeds of Crime (1999) would allow law enforcement authorities and judges to seize crypto-assets used in illegal activities such as money laundering.
At the moment, the law governing the punishment of organized crime does not specify how to deal with crypto-assets obtained unlawfully. Criminal groups may take advantage of this and use cryptocurrency to launder money and commit other crimes.
To ensure that all criminal assets are confiscated, the ministry will seek an opinion from the Legislative Council. The latter will advise the Justice minister, as soon as this month. Following the same, they will begin extensive discussions to change the law.
Since the specific law focuses on the seizure of funds/assets from organized crime, it does not explicitly outline any procedure regarding illegally acquired cryptocurrencies. There is concern that criminals may be able to continue their illicit behavior through their unseized digital asset holdings.
Physical property, monetary claims, and mobile assets such as machinery, cars, tools, and supplies are the only assets that can be confiscated under current legislation. Crypto, however, falls under none of those categories.
The research comes just days after the Japanese government issued legislation preventing non-banking businesses from producing stablecoins. This, an effort to reduce system risk and increase consumer safety.
The measure allows only licensed banks, registered money transfer agencies,
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