ASIA-PACIFIC · JURISDICTION PROFILE
Japan
Overview
Japan was among the first to license crypto exchanges, registering them under the Payment Services Act from 2017, with the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) covering security tokens and derivatives. The FSA supervises, with the JVCEA acting as an accredited self-regulatory body.
Regulatory framework
Crypto-asset exchange services register under the Payment Services Act; security tokens and derivatives fall under the FIEA. Stablecoin rules were added via a 2022 amendment.
Licensing & authorisation
Exchange service providers register with the FSA; JVCEA membership applies.
AML & Travel Rule
A Travel Rule for crypto-asset transfers has applied since 2023.
Track developments
This jurisdiction isn't yet on the live wire (its regulator doesn't publish a machine-readable feed) — follow the regulator directly.
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