Advisory for Asia’s digital markets
アジアのデジタル市場に特化したアドバイザリー
Technical and policy advice on AI, digital assets, and payments in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.
Ideas in practice
考察
Licensing is the start of supervision, not the end of it
A licence is where a firm’s relationship with the regulator begins, and entry plans should budget for what follows.
South Korea’s next phase of rules, and what foreign firms should watch
Three points that decide whether a foreign firm can serve Korean clients directly or needs a local partner.
Stablecoin rules across five markets, side by side
Who may issue, what reserves must hold, and who may sell to the public, compared market by market.
Leave the hard parts to us
支援内容
Already in Asia
Vendor and technology assessment
A written comparison of wallet, custody, payment, or stablecoin providers, with trade-offs and regulatory considerations.
AI and digital asset strategy
Board briefings on AI, digital assets, and payments, with options, constraints, and recommended next steps.
Entering Asia
Market entry
An entry assessment covering target markets, licensing requirements, local players, and a practical sequence of steps.
Regulatory and policy analysis
Written briefs on current and upcoming rules, their implications for your product, and questions for local counsel.
Introductions and partnerships
A partner shortlist, relevant introductions, and support preparing for meetings with institutions and local teams.
Who we are
私たちについて
The people you’ll work with are on the ground in Asia, not advising from a distance.
Eight years in the Ethereum ecosystem as an engineer, a founder, and a policy lead. Degrees in law and engineering; based in Tokyo, working across Asia.
- Experience
- Ethereum Foundation, APAC Policy Lead2023–
- Pickle Finance and DFX Finance, co-founder2020–2023
- ConsenSys (Truffle Suite), Frontend Lead2018–2020
- Education
- JD, University of British Columbia2015
- BASc, University of Toronto2011
- Languages
- English, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, working Korean
Rina Utashiro
Head of Business Development
歌代りな
Rina has experience in business operations and executive support for US–Japan businesses. Her background includes HR and communications at UNCHAIN, a Tokyo-based AI company. She works in Japanese and English.
Issei Kashima
Head of Payments and Wallet Infrastructure
鹿嶋一成
Issei has led business development across East Asia and APAC at Polygon Labs and Sequence. His background includes blockchain payments at Slash Fintech. He works in Japanese and English.
Esther Kim
Head of Research
김에스더
Esther has led research initiatives at Hashed Open Research focusing on East Asian regulatory architecture. Her background includes South Korea’s national deep-tech accelerator (TIPS) and digital asset venture capital. She works in Korean and English.
Questions
よくある質問
Are you a law firm?
No. Arcas Bridge brings a legally trained, regulatory perspective to strategy. When you need formal legal advice, we bring in lawyers from our network of local counsel across Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan, or work alongside your own.
How does an engagement work?
It starts with a call about what you’re trying to do. From there we propose a scope: a defined project, such as a market entry assessment or a vendor review, or ongoing support month to month. Everything you share stays confidential, and we’ll sign an NDA before the first detailed conversation.
Do we need a presence in Asia to work with you?
No. You can work with us before you have anyone in the region. We can help you decide whether and where to set up, and connect you with local counsel when you’re ready.
Which languages do you work in?
English, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, and working Korean, so we can talk to regulators, partners, and teams in their own language.
Can you introduce us to regulators?
We help you prepare for conversations with regulators and arrange meetings where that’s appropriate. We don’t lobby on your behalf.
What does it cost?
It depends on the scope. Projects are priced as a fixed fee and ongoing support as a monthly retainer, both agreed in writing before any work begins.
Start a conversation
お問い合わせ
Tell us briefly what you are working on and which markets are involved.