Rakuten Wallet Launches Spot Trading Services for Crypto Assets

Leveraging synergies within the
Rakuten Group for safer management of customer assets through separation
of management by Rakuten Trust

Tokyo, August 19, 2019 – Rakuten Wallet, Inc., a
consolidated subsidiary of Rakuten Group and operator of a crypto asset
(virtual currency) exchange business, announced that today it has
launched a spot trading service for crypto assets in which users can
conduct spot trading of crypto assets through a dedicated smartphone app*1. The app will initially be released on Android, with an iOS version due to be released at a later date.

In
order to provide customers with safe and secure crypto asset
transaction services, Rakuten Wallet separates money deposited by
customers (customer assets) from the company’s own funds, managing the
assets (trust maintenance) in trust accounts provided by Rakuten Trust
Co., Ltd., the trust company of Rakuten Group. Rakuten Trust manages
those trust assets through Rakuten Bank, Ltd. savings accounts.

Additionally,
a number of security methods have been implemented to ensure the safety
of customers’ assets. All crypto assets owned by customers are stored
in an environment isolated from the internet, known as the “cold
wallet,” and private keys are managed through a multisignature scheme.
Two-step authentication is also required when logging in, withdrawing
money and withdrawing assets.

Through the smartphone app,
customers can make transactions for crypto asset trading accounts, such
as depositing/withdrawing Japanese yen and depositing/withdrawing crypto
assets, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year*2. The app also
features many useful functions that allow customers to effectively
manage their crypto assets, such as confirmation of assets deposited in
Rakuten Wallet, the purchase and sale of crypto assets, and real-time
chart rate confirmation*3. Three types of crypto assets can
be traded: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH). There
are no fees for opening or managing an account, purchasing or selling
crypto assets, or depositing money. Customers who already have a bank
account with Rakuten Bank will be able to easily open a Rakuten Wallet
account simply by entering the required information on the online
application form.

Going forward, Rakuten Wallet aims to further
expand its lineup of services to provide customers with secure and
convenient transaction services.

*1 An announcement about the release of the iOS app is planned to be made in early September.
*2 Excluding maintenance times.
*3
The smartphone app is required for depositing/withdrawing money,
depositing/withdrawing crypto assets, and making transactions from an
account.

Overview
Service name: Rakuten Wallet

URL: https://www.rakuten-wallet.co.jp/

Service launch date: Monday, August 19, 2019

Assets handled: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

Security Measures:

  1. Money deposited by customers is managed separately from Rakuten
    Wallet’s own funds in a Rakuten Trust Co., Ltd. trust account. Crypto
    assets owned by Rakuten Wallet and customers are physically separated
    and managed, and cryptographic assets owned by customers are managed
    with cold wallets.
  2. Two-step authentication has been adopted to prevent unauthorized
    use. Two-step authentication is required when logging in, withdrawing
    money and withdrawing assets.

Smartphone app: Customers can make transactions for crypto asset
trading accounts, such as depositing/withdrawing Japanese yen and
depositing/withdrawing crypto assets, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Details about the app and download URLs can be found here: https://www.rakuten-wallet.co.jp/service/app_wallet.html

Fees:
・Account opening – Free
・Account management – Free
・Purchase/sale of crypto assets – Free
・Deposits of Japanese Yen – Free
・Withdrawals of Japanese Yen – JPY 300
・Deposits of crypto assets – Free
・Withdrawals of crypto assets – BTC: 0.001 / ETH: 0.01 / BCH: 0.01

About Rakuten Wallet
Rakuten Wallet, Inc.
started a virtual currency exchange service on March 30, 2017. On
September 7, 2017, Rakuten Wallet submitted an application for
registration to be a “virtual currency exchange service provider” to the
Kanto Local Finance Bureau, pursuant to Article 63-3 of the Payment
Services Act. Rakuten Wallet completed registration as a “virtual
currency exchange company” with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau, based on
the Payment Services Act, on March 25, 2019. The company, formerly
known as “everybody’s bitcoin Inc.,” changed its name to “Rakuten
Wallet, Inc.” on March 1, 2019. Rakuten Wallet started accepting
applications for accounts on April 15, 2019 for its crypto asset
(virtual currency) trading service and started offering crypto asset
(virtual currency) spot trading services on August 19, 2019.

*Please note that the information contained in press releases is current as of the date of release.

image by Shutterstock

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