Japan wants in on the crypto ETF wave.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama announced government support for integrating digital assets into the country’s stock and commodity exchanges. She made the statement during her New Year address at the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Monday.
Katayama called 2026 the “first year of the digital era” and pointed directly to US crypto ETFs as a model worth following.
“For the public to benefit from digital assets – specifically blockchain-based digital assets – we must leverage the strength of commodity and securities exchanges,” Katayama said.
She noted that in the United States, crypto ETFs “are spreading as a risk hedge against inflation for citizens.”
As Minister of State for Financial Services, she pledged full support for exchanges developing trading infrastructure around fintech.
Japan Slashes Crypto Taxes to 20%
The announcement comes alongside major policy changes already locked in for 2026.
Japan will cut its crypto tax rate from a maximum of 55% down to a flat 20%. This brings digital assets in line with stocks and other traditional investments. The government has also reclassified 105 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, as financial products under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
Read More: This Change in Japan’s Crypto Tax Will Have Big Implications for Bitcoin and Ethereum
Investors can now carry forward crypto trading losses for up to three years. SBI Holdings has been waiting to file for ETFs. Ripple is also set to launch its RLUSD stablecoin in Q1 with SBI Holdings support.
Why This Matters Beyond Japan
Japan is the largest foreign holder of US Treasury bonds at roughly $1.2 trillion. Any move by Japanese institutions toward digital assets could send ripples through global crypto markets.
The country’s Financial Services Agency approved its first yen-pegged stablecoin, JPYC, back in October. The FSA has also discussed letting banks hold and trade crypto directly.
Katayama described 2026 as a “turning point” for tackling Japan’s economic challenges through fiscal policy and investment in growth sectors.
With lower taxes, clearer regulations, and ETF products rolling out, Japan is making a serious push to become a major crypto hub.
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