Japan Eyes 20% Crypto Tax, Bitcoin ETF, and Stablecoins by 2026: Full Details

Japan is pushing for sweeping financial reforms as part of its goal to become an “asset management nation.” 

According to a report from Nikkei, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) is advancing proposals on tax reforms and reclassifying digital assets, potentially paving the way for cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Japan Aims to Cut Crypto Taxes

Japanese crypto investors currently face some of the toughest tax rules in the world. Profits from digital assets can be taxed as high as 55%, far higher than the flat 20% applied to stocks and bonds.

The FSA is proposing to bring crypto under that same 20% bracket and let investors carry forward losses for three years. The move is meant to cut the burden on traders, boost market activity, and rebuild trust.

Japan is moving to classify cryptocurrencies as financial products under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. This would align digital assets with stocks and bonds, enabling stricter oversight on insider trading and disclosure, and make way for a spot Bitcoin ETF. 

The State of Crypto Adoption in Japan 

While Japan’s crypto market is growing, domestic trading is set to double from $66.6 billion in 2022. But the retail adoption remains weak, with 88% of residents never owning Bitcoin. Heavy taxes and regulatory uncertainty have been the key barriers. 

The simplified tax rules, combined with regulated crypto ETFs, may finally encourage more people to participate.

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Stablecoins and New Investment Products in Japan

Building on these reforms, Japan is also preparing to expand digital finance products. The country Japan may soon approve its first yen-pegged stablecoin, possibly by fall 2025. SBI Holdings, Japan’s financial giant, also plans to launch RLUSD in Japan by early 2026, with SBI VC Trade as distributor.

These moves signal Japan’s ambition to expand digital finance while keeping tighter regulations in place. 

FSA’s Roadmap for 2026 

Japan’s FSA will set up a new bureau in 2026 to oversee insurance, asset management, and digital finance. The reform follows insurance scandals and aims to restore trust, strengthen oversight, and support growth in emerging markets like crypto.

Japan is also tightening its crypto rules by shifting oversight from payment laws to investment-style regulation. An FSA working group is reviewing stricter disclosure for fundraising tokens, clearer rules for Bitcoin, and tougher measures on fraud, taxation, and investor protection.

The FSA’s bold reforms could turn Japan into the bridge between traditional markets and digital assets

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