Last updated on January 11th, 2026 at 09:42 pm
Quick Breakdown
- Japan plans to regulate crypto under securities law, not payment rules
- A flat 20% crypto tax will align digital assets with stocks and funds
- Access to crypto is increasingly limited to regulated, exchange-led platforms
Japan is moving to bring cryptocurrencies firmly under its traditional financial market framework, signalling that digital assets will increasingly be accessed and regulated through established exchanges rather than operating in a parallel system.
The shift was reinforced on Monday when Finance Minister and Financial Services Minister Satsuki Katayama publicly backed securities exchanges and regulated market infrastructure as the main gateway for blockchain-based assets.
Speaking at the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s New Year opening ceremony, Katayama described 2026 as Japan’s first year of full-scale digitalization, underscoring the government’s intention to align crypto with conventional capital markets.
Crypto oversight shifts toward securities-style regulation
Katayama’s comments reflect regulatory changes already in motion. In December 2025, Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) outlined plans to move cryptocurrency oversight from the Payment Services Act to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
Under the proposed framework, crypto assets would be treated as financial products rather than payment tools. This would subject issuers and trading platforms to stricter disclosure requirements, insider trading rules, and tougher enforcement, particularly against unregistered overseas exchanges serving Japanese users.
Japan’s tax policy is also moving in the same direction. On December 2, the government and ruling coalition approved plans to introduce a flat 20% tax on crypto profits, bringing digital assets in line with equities and investment funds.
The reform would replace Japan’s current progressive tax system, under which crypto gains could be taxed at rates as high as 55%. The new tax structure is expected to be incorporated into broader securities law amendments.
Enforcement tightens access through regulated exchanges
Regulators have already begun enforcing this policy shift. In February 2025, Japanese authorities asked Apple and Google to remove apps linked to unregistered crypto exchanges, including Bybit, MEXC, and KuCoin, limiting access to platforms that comply with domestic rules.
The pressure has reshaped market participation. In December, Bybit announced plans to gradually phase out services for Japanese residents in 2026, citing regulatory and registration requirements.
While some global exchanges retreat, Japan has taken steps to support bank-led stablecoin projects and explore frameworks that allow regulated financial institutions to play a larger role in digital asset markets.
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