Japan ETFs said likely to trade by 2028 as SBI, Nomura ready products
Japan's FSA plans to allow crypto as an eligible asset for ETFs, potentially launching them by 2028, with major firms preparing products.Summary
Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) is reportedly moving to classify cryptocurrencies as eligible assets for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) under the Investment Trust Act, with estimates suggesting the market could reach 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion). While Nikkei reports a potential 2028 debut, this is later than a previous Reuters report suggesting 2026 or 2027 implementation following parliamentary approval. This timeline would place Japan several years behind the U.S., where spot Bitcoin ETFs launched in January 2024. Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama has expressed strong support for integrating crypto trading services, touting 2026 as the "digital year" and highlighting the benefits of U.S. crypto ETFs. Major financial institutions like SBI Holdings and Nomura Holdings are already preparing products, with SBI having filed for a dual-asset ETF including Bitcoin and XRP.
(Source：CoinDesk)