MonaCoin is the first alternative cryptocurrency developed in Japan. It is based on the popular Japanese character, Mona. MonaCoin has a Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism and uses a version of the Lyra2RE mining algorithm that was first used by Vertcoin.
MonaCoin has an enthusiastic user base that has developed a variety of Mona-based web applications and services. MonaCoin holders also use the coin as a tipping system.

Nimiq is a censorship-resistant cryptocurrency that is designed to run in the user's browser. Nimiq's focus is on usability and the browser first approach allows coin holders to participate in their payment network more easily. Nimiq uses a Merkle-based accumulator to store accounts and balances, and has a Non-Interactive Proofs of Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism.