Japan Eyes Crypto ETFs by 2028, Nikkei Reports

Japan Crypto News

Japan's Financial Services Agency is considering regulatory changes that could permit cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds as early as 2028,

to a Nikkei report citing people familiar with the matter. The proposed framework would add digital assets to the list of eligible ETF holdings while implementing stronger investor protections.

Major financial institutions, including Nomura Holdings and SBI Holdings, are expected to be among the first firms to develop crypto-linked ETF products if the regulations proceed, Nikkei reported. The changes would allow Japanese retail investors to gain regulated exposure to Bitcoin and other digital assets through traditional brokerage accounts.

Implementation would bring Japan closer to markets like the United States and Hong Kong, which approved spot crypto ETFs in 2024. The discussions reflect regulatory intent rather than finalized policy, as the FSA has not publicly confirmed any timeline.

Current Japanese policies restrict ETF-eligible assets in ways that exclude crypto products. While the regulator has refined its approach to digital assets,

tied directly to crypto remain outside the existing framework and would require formal consultations and revisions.