Press Conference by Taro Aso, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Minister of State for Financial Services
(Excerpt)
(Friday, February 16, 2018, 8:41 am to 8:44 am)
[Opening remarks:]
The Financial Services Agency issued orders to all 31 virtual currency broker dealers to submit reports on their IT system risk management systems, and we have now carefully examined and analyzed the content of the reports that have been submitted. In light of these analyses, we have decided to conduct a series of on-site inspections at the 15 quasi-virtual currency broker dealers. Accordingly, we provided notice of these inspections to five companies on the 14th. When dealing with these quasi-virtual currency broker dealers, it should be borne in mind that their registration applications are still in the process of being screened by the Financial Services Agency (FSA).
[Questions and answers:]
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Q.
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With regard to your opening statement, Coincheck presented a plan for improving its operations on the 13th, but it has not yet indicated when it will pay out reimbursements. Could you please tell us your views on its handling of this matter as well as the purposes and aims of the on-site inspections you just mentioned?
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A.
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As for Coincheck reimbursing customers, I am aware that they have announced that they are giving the matter continued consideration. With respect to customers, it is important that Coincheck should take all measures possible to protect customers who suffered losses and to prevent any further losses. The FSA is hoping through these on-site inspections to get an adequate understanding of their customer protection measures as well as to have these companies take steps to ensure proper customer protection, and we ourselves will be taking every measure necessary in line with the findings of our monitoring.
