Japan is implementing a reform that could completely redefine the global crypto market. The FSA seeks to reclassify 105 digital assets —including BTC and ETH— as regulated financial products, subjecting them to the same level of transparency required of the stock market. In a country marked by the Mt. Gox case, this move aims to close gaps, elevate trust, and send a clear signal: crypto is no longer unregulated territory.
The plan requires exchanges to disclose detailed information about each token: risks, volatility, network, issuer, and operational metrics. It is a rarely seen oversight standard, driven by a growth in crypto activity exceeding 120% between 2023 and 2025. This is complemented by a key fiscal adjustment: fixed taxes of 20%, instead of the current scheme that can exceed 55% in the higher brackets.
If this reform comes into effect in 2026, Japan could become the clearest and most protected market in Asia, with specific rules against insider trading and a regulatory expansion that could inspire South Korea, Singapore, and Australia. The unknown now is the list of the 105 tokens. What is clear is that Japan wants to lead the next stage of crypto: more mature, safer, and ready to attract global capital.
Is Japan protecting the investor… or limiting the freedom of the crypto market?
