The article discusses the varying conditions for foreign entrepreneurs looking to establish start-ups in different Asian countries. It highlights the growth of entrepreneurship in Asia and the mobility of younger entrepreneurs, as mentioned by Peter Wall, cofounder of Hubud in Bali. The article provides insights into the advantages and challenges in countries like Singapore, South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. Factors such as market size, infrastructure, legal barriers, cultural differences, government support, and local competition are examined. Specific conditions for setting up a business, such as capital requirements, visa processes, and employment conditions for foreigners, are detailed for each country. The article is written by Sang Youn-joo and Elaine Ramirez for The Korea Herald and is part of a series on foreigners working in Korea's technology start-up ecosystem.

South Korea is enhancing its recycling capabilities and moving away from plastic bags and hard-to-recycle plastic bottles following China's ban on certain recyclables. Supermarket chains are phasing out excess plastic packaging, and the government is encouraging more voluntary agreements with retailers. Additionally, there is a push for companies to use clear PET bottles instead of colored ones, as they are easier to recycle. Coca-Cola Korea's Sprite, known for its green bottles, is implicated in this change.

CoinDesk, in partnership with South Korean news company The Hankyoreh, launched CoinDesk Korea to combat fake news in the cryptocurrency industry. The collaboration aims to provide legitimate news and increase understanding of the market, which has been plagued by scams and misinformation. The Hankyoreh's commitment to democracy resonates with the decentralized nature of blockchain. CoinDesk's CEO Kevin Worth emphasizes the importance of overcoming language barriers to access news. Editor Yoo Shinjae of CoinDesk Korea highlights the need for serious discussion and responsible journalism to build trust and make the market safer.

Coinone, a major South Korean crypto exchange led by CEO Cha Myunghun, has grown rapidly amid the country's cryptocurrency boom. As a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree, Cha emphasizes the importance of responsible trading and education in the industry. Despite regulatory challenges and market volatility, Coinone has set high technological standards and is expanding its services, including remittances and international exchange. Cha also aims to foster a progressive work culture within the company.

South Korea demonstrated its technological advancements in 5G at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, with applications such as a LED-lit dove of peace and immersive broadcasting. The country aims to lead in future technologies, with 5G being the core infrastructure for autonomous vehicles, IoT, and virtual/augmented reality. Local telecom giant KT plans to deploy 5G nationwide by late 2019, and the technology is expected to revolutionize various industries, including transportation and e-commerce. Challenges remain in creating a global standard, but South Korea is poised to announce its 5G spectrum, allowing KT to begin infrastructure rollout.

At the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, a ski rental shop near the Olympic Plaza is the first venue in the host city to accept cryptocurrency, specifically Ethereum, as payment. Despite language barriers, the shop uses Google Translate and the local payment platform Coinduck to facilitate transactions. South Korea is currently embroiled in debates over cryptocurrency regulation, with anonymous transactions banned and discussions ongoing about ICOs. Coinduck, launched by Chain Partners, is optimistic about the future of crypto payments and is working to onboard more vendors. Although no crypto transactions have occurred at the ski shop yet, Coinduck is prepared to handle the volatility of Ethereum by instantly converting it to Korean won.

South Korea's financial regulators, led by the Financial Services Commission, are implementing sweeping cryptocurrency regulations to curb speculative overheating and illegal activity. These measures include banning foreigners and minors from opening new cryptocurrency accounts and banning anonymous trading on domestic exchanges, effective January 30. The regulations aim to tackle money laundering and related crimes, with the government expressing concern over market manipulation and illegal fund injections. Existing foreign investors will be allowed to withdraw assets but cannot make new deposits. The Korea Blockchain Association and its member exchanges are aligning with the new regulations, which also require real-name verification for trading. The government's approach seeks to balance the potential of blockchain technologies with the need to control risky behaviors such as hacking and fraud.

SparkLabs Group, South Korea's first startup accelerator, has launched SparkChain Capital, a $100 million fund dedicated to blockchain and cryptocurrency innovations. The fund, led by Joyce Kim, aims to support early-stage startups and build long-lasting technological platforms. SparkLabs has previously invested in blockchain startups such as Blocko and Sentbe in South Korea, and Cyrex in Stockholm. The fund plans to invest in entrepreneurs and teams, with a focus on due diligence and long-term collaboration. SparkChain Capital is also planning an ICO and intends to integrate blockchain software to streamline its operations.

South Korea's government initiated a 'creative economy drive' in 2012 to foster a startup scene, leveraging its high internet speeds and smartphone penetration, and corporations like Samsung and Hyundai. Despite these advantages, foreign entrepreneurs face language and cultural barriers, and the tech industry lacks diversity. The government has introduced programs like the K-Startup Grand Challenge to attract foreign startups, offering incentives such as free flights and office space. While some entrepreneurs find value in these programs, others criticize the bureaucratic processes and stringent labor laws. The article discusses the mixed reactions to these initiatives and the challenges of entering and scaling up in the Korean market. It also highlights the potential of Korea's IT infrastructure and trend-conscious society for testing new products and services.

The article discusses the approval of the crowdfunding act in Korea, which is expected to significantly aid start-ups by allowing equity-based crowdfunding. This method enables individuals to invest in start-ups through online brokerage sites. The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation and Planning anticipates a substantial growth in the Korean crowdfunding industry. Despite the optimism, there are concerns about investment restrictions and the effectiveness of Korean platforms compared to established ones like Indiegogo and Kickstarter. Zikto, a Seoul-based wearable device-maker, has successfully raised funds on Kickstarter and expresses skepticism about switching to a local platform. The article also touches on the global rise of equity crowdfunding and contrasts it with reward-based crowdfunding. It highlights the government's role in protecting investors and fostering a healthy crowdfunding ecosystem, while also noting the potential downsides of excessive government intervention. Industry experts emphasize the importance of crowdfunding for attracting venture capital and the challenges Korean start-ups face in a globally competitive market.