TOKYO -- Japan's financial watchdog will probe whether exchanges for virtual currencies such as bitcoin provide adequate protection for users, ensuring the companies are up to scratch before they can register to operate with the government.
Marketplaces for bitcoin and the like face new regulations to gain legal status

Japanese regulators are stepping up oversight of brokers and exchanges for bitcoin and other digital currencies.
TOKYO -- Japan's financial watchdog will probe whether exchanges for virtual currencies such as bitcoin provide adequate protection for users, ensuring the companies are up to scratch before they can register to operate with the government.