Japan’s finance minister signals support for crypto at stock exchanges

Japan's Finance Minister, Satsuki Katayama, expressed full support for allowing stock exchanges to offer cryptocurrency trading services, labeling 2026 the "digital year." She stressed that regulated venues are crucial for the public to benefit from digital and blockchain assets. Currently, digital asset trading in Japan is largely separate from traditional markets, governed by the Payment Services Act, but regulators are considering moving crypto under securities law. Katayama also referenced the success of crypto investment products like ETFs in the U.S. as a potential model for Japan, signaling openness to mainstream investment vehicles. This support aligns with the Financial Services Agency's plans to overhaul crypto regulation and taxation by the 2026 fiscal year, including tax framework changes, moving the government toward structured integration rather than cautious oversight.

(Source：CoinDesk)