Japan’s leading securities firms are setting their sights on the country’s growing digital asset space and developing detailed strategies to reshape the financial landscape. The changes come amid proposals from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to redefine Bitcoin’s status, moving it from a payment medium to an investment product and potentially significantly changing the financial landscape.
Which major brokerages are entering the crypto space? Why is 2026 so important for digital assets?
Which major securities companies are entering the cryptocurrency space?
Japan’s three major securities companies, valued at a total of approximately $48 billion, have begun plans to establish virtual currency exchanges in the country. Nomura, a prominent Japanese investment bank, has defended the move. Nomura, through its Swiss-based cryptocurrency division, plans to launch a cryptocurrency platform in Japan by the end of 2026, capitalizing on demand from institutional investors.
Daiwa Securities, which boasts the second-largest presence in the market, is enthusiastically working on strategic considerations regarding entering the virtual currency exchange market. Although a launch schedule has not yet been disclosed, its internal underpinnings indicate clear intentions for involvement in digital assets.
Furthermore, SMBC Nikko Securities evaluates the practicality of establishing a virtual currency exchange. It has created a new dedicated decentralized finance department and is focusing on innovating financial products that utilize blockchain. Together, these actions represent a pivotal shift from speculative ventures to structured digital asset integration.
Why is 2026 so important for digital assets?
According to Japan’s Finance Minister, 2026 has been designated as the “Year of the Digital”, marking a turning point as digital assets are integrated into major financial markets. The Financial Services Agency is formulating regulations based on the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, with the aim of enforcement in 2026. The law aims to classify Bitcoin and similar digital assets as investment vehicles and increase institutional involvement.
Updates to the Investment Funds Act also propose changes for crypto ETFs by 2028. Prominent companies such as Nomura Asset Management and SBI are already shaping their products in advance of these regulatory changes. There may also be changes to the tax system, with crypto profits potentially subject to taxes of up to 20%, aligning more closely with equity tax rates and making the market more attractive.
Here are the bullet points of the evolving situation:
- Japan’s crypto ETF market could soon reach 1 trillion yen ($6.7 billion).
- Development of regulated investment vehicles and custodian services by securities companies.
- A shift from speculation to established market standards.
If implemented, these reforms could facilitate Japan’s transition from a restricted digital realm to a balanced and regulated investment ecosystem. The focus is on bringing digital assets into the mainstream financial sector and aligning them with traditional capital market standards.
