China unifies blockchain and AI filings as two old systems close

China has launched a unified national filing platform for blockchain, generative artificial intelligence, algorithms, and deep synthesis services, bringing four technology categories into one system as two older portals close.

Summary

• China's unified filing platform opened on Nov. 9, covering blockchain and three AI-related service categories.
• Separate algorithm and blockchain filing systems stopped operating when the unified platform went live.
• Existing blockchain rules specify filing deadlines, identity checks, safety assessments, and recordkeeping obligations.
• Crypto business restrictions appear in a separate financial notice, including limits on business registration names.

The Cyberspace Administration of China said in its Nov. 9 announcement that the new Internet New Technology and New Application Information Service Filing System began operating that day. Companies and members of the public can use the platform to submit and look up filing information.

The regulator described the project as a way to standardize filing work and make online submissions and searches more convenient. Its brief notice announces a common administrative system without setting out changes to the requirements governing individual services.

China blockchain filings move to a shared portal

The unified system operates at beian.cac.gov.cn. The former Internet Information Service Algorithm Filing System and Blockchain Information Service Filing Management System stopped being used at the same time, according to the announcement.

Although the platform brings several technology categories together, the web address is already familiar to algorithm providers. A February 2022 CAC notice established the same domain as the official address for the algorithm filing system, which opened in March that year.

In that earlier notice, the regulator explained that providers could submit information and check filing status online, while the public could search the records. It expressly said an algorithm filing did not represent official recognition of a company, algorithm, product or service, and prohibited using filing results for promotion or other commercial purposes.

Blockchain rules specify deadlines and required information

China's Blockchain Information Service Management Provisions, effective since February 2019, cover public information services delivered through websites or applications using blockchain technology. The definition includes service operators, nodes, and organizations providing technical support.

Article 11 requires providers to file within 10 working days after starting services, submitting their name, service category, delivery format, application field, and server address. Changes to services or website addresses require an amendment within five working days.

Providers ending a service must complete cancellation procedures 30 working days before termination. Article 12 gives authorities 20 working days to register complete submissions and issue a filing number, or notify applicants that incomplete materials cannot be registered and explain why.

Registered providers must display their filing number prominently on their websites or applications. The provisions require periodic checks of filing information and allow authorities to request updated records through the system.

Identity checks and recordkeeping predate the launch

In its accompanying January 2019 explanation, the CAC described filing as part of an information security framework. Providers must manage content security, publish platform rules and agreements, authenticate users' real identities and respond to unlawful activity or content.

The regulator's explanation says new products, applications and functions require safety assessments under the applicable rules. Services with information security problems must undergo corrections before continuing once they meet legal and technical requirements.

Recordkeeping forms another part of that framework. The explanation requires backups to be kept for at least six months and supplied when law enforcement authorities lawfully request them. Providers must cooperate with regulatory inspections, supply necessary technical assistance and maintain accessible channels for public complaints.

Crypto business restrictions sit in a separate notice

China's restrictions on crypto-related business appear in a separate February 2026 notice issued by the People's Bank of China and seven other authorities. As crypto.news previously reported, the measure prohibits virtual currency exchange, token financing and other specified crypto financial activities.

The central bank notice bars business registration names and business scopes from containing terms including "virtual currency," "crypto assets," "stablecoin," and "RWA." The restriction concerns business registrations; the Nov. 9 portal announcement does not introduce a new list of prohibited terms.

Its overseas-services provision is relevant to US companies serving mainland customers: overseas organizations and individuals may not illegally provide virtual currency services to mainland entities. Domestic real-world asset tokenization is prohibited, with an exception for authorized activities conducted through designated financial infrastructure.

Alongside its financial restrictions, Beijing has set a 2030 blockchain network target. The October information technology plan calls for a central backbone, regional hubs and shared infrastructure, including distributed digital identity services.

Regional applications in the plan include airport logistics around Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, trade and finance in the Yangtze River Delta, and commerce, manufacturing and agriculture in the Chengdu-Chongqing region.