Japanese authorities have issued warnings regarding unauthorized stock trading conducted through stolen online brokerage account credentials. Since February 2025, hackers have exploited these hijacked accounts in Japan to manipulate penny stocks globally, resulting in an illicit trading spree valued at approximately $700 million. In response to the surge in account takeovers, the Japan Securities Dealers Association has mandated the implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) for online trading accounts. This requirement affects 58 securities firms, aiming to enhance security measures and prevent further unauthorized access and market manipulation.