Japan Gears Up for Crypto Funds as 2026 Rule Change Nears

Six asset managers move ahead of FSA reforms to launch Japan’s first regulated crypto investment trusts by 2026 under new securities law.

FSA weighs 20% flat tax and reclassifies crypto under securities law, replacing rates as high as 55% to widen trust access nationwide.

SBI targets ¥5 trillion AUM with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs as Nomura and Daiwa build crypto teams ahead of 2026 regulatory change plan early.

Japan confirmed on Monday that six major asset managers prepared crypto investment trusts as regulators move toward 2026 reform. The planning emerged in Tokyo as the Financial Services Agency targets reclassification to expand investor protections and access. According to Nikkei, firms acted after regulatory signals promised lower taxes and clearer securities treatment for digital assets.

FSA rule change opens trust pathway

Notably, the FSA plans to move cryptocurrencies under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act framework. This change would allow inclusion in investment trusts and extend equity-level protections

Meanwhile, officials consider a flat 20% tax replacing the current rate reaching 55%. Following those plans, asset managers began structuring products ahead of legal amendments

According to Nikkei, Daiwa Asset Management, Asset Management One, Amova, and Mitsubishi UFJ assessed trust feasibility. However, Japan still prohibits crypto inclusion under current trust law restrictions.

SBI and peers prepare product rollout

Notably, SBI Global Asset Management outlined Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs alongside multi-asset crypto trusts. President Tomoya Asakura linked the plan to shifting household funds toward regulated investments. The company targets five trillion yen in assets within three years of launch.

Meanwhile, Nomura Asset Management formed a task force to guide post-reform crypto strategies. Daiwa coordinated with Global X Japan to support its ETF planning. Mitsubishi UFJ and Amova reviewed product lines for retail and institutional clients.

Market mechanics and compliance demands

However, firms must secure pricing benchmarks and reliable market access before product rollout. They also need strong custody systems and cybersecurity controls to protect held assets. According to Daisuke Motori, Bitcoin shows wider price swings than shares, bonds, or gold.

On the global stage, BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF reached ninety billion dollars by September in the United States. Domestically, Japan counts about thirteen million crypto accounts on local exchanges. Additionally, draft measures cover 105 listed cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Notably, policymakers also discuss custody rules requiring registered providers to manage crypto holdings. Furthermore, regulators supported a joint yen-stablecoin project involving three major banks. These steps align with tighter oversight following recent global security breaches.

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