Overview
- Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama told the Tokyo Stock Exchange she fully supports stock and commodity exchanges offering crypto trading, calling 2026 Japan’s “digital year.”
- Officials signaled backing for crypto exchange-traded products using the U.S. ETF model as a reference, though no launch dates or specific eligible assets have been announced.
- Regulators have reclassified 105 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, as financial products under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act to align oversight with securities rules.
- The government plans a flat 20% tax on crypto profits from 2026 with provisions such as loss carryforwards, replacing the current progressive regime that can reach roughly 55%.
- Exchanges and issuers pursuing crypto listings will face tighter custody, volatility control, and surveillance requirements, with detailed FSA rules and legislative timing still to be finalized.