Japan has changed its laws to officially recognize cryptocurrencies as financial products, a move approved by the government as an amendment to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
This legislation aims to prevent illegal insider trading and would require companies to publicly share information yearly. It also increases the penalties for businesses operating without a license. If approved this year, the new rules could be in place as soon as 2027.
Japan Rewrites the Rules on Crypto
Until now, Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) oversaw cryptocurrency as a form of payment under existing laws. But with more people using crypto for investments, the FSA will soon transfer regulation to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA), according to a report by Nikkei.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama spoke at a press conference following the cabinet meeting.
Katayama stated they will increase funding for growing businesses, while also working to maintain a fair, open, and secure market for investors.
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Crypto officially became financial assets in Japan. Big day!
— Sota Watanabe (@WatanabeSota) April 10, 2026
More than 13 million people in Japan now have cryptocurrency accounts. However, the country is also seeing a rise in fraud, with the Financial Services Agency receiving over 350 complaints each month, as reported by Baker McKenzie earlier this year.
The Financial Services Agency (FSA) first indicated this change would happen in late 2025. This recent approval officially makes that recommendation law. As part of the change, companies currently registered as “crypto asset exchange operators” will now be known as “crypto asset trading operators.”
The new rules under FIEA will make it illegal to trade crypto assets using secret information. Those operating without a license and selling crypto will face much harsher penalties, with potential prison sentences increasing from 3 to 10 years and fines rising from ¥3 million to ¥10 million.
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2026-04-10 11:06