Japan’s largest financial groups are preparing to launch crypto investment products for retail clients. The market activity comes amid upcoming regulatory changes.
SBI Securities and Rakuten Securities, two of Japan’s largest brokerage firms offering online trading services for derivatives, stocks, bonds, and other securities, started developing their own cryptocurrency investment funds for retail investors, according to Nikkei.
SBI plans to distribute products created by its subsidiary, SBI Global Asset Management. The lineup will include exchange-traded funds (ETF) and investment trusts with exposure to liquid digital assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Rakuten Securities is developing similar products together with Rakuten Investment Management. The company is focusing on integrating crypto investments into mobile apps, allowing users to purchase fund shares directly through existing brokerage services.
The investment trusts are expected to significantly simplify retail investors’ access to cryptocurrencies. Currently, purchasing digital assets in Japan requires opening a separate account on a crypto exchange or using crypto wallets. The new products will provide crypto exposure through standard brokerage accounts.
According to Nikkei, several of Japan’s largest financial groups are also joining the process:
- Nomura Holdings, Japan’s largest financial holding company, announced plans to develop crypto investment trusts within the group. The company formed an internal working group and prepared infrastructure for the rapid launch of products once regulations are approved.
- Daiwa Securities Group and its subsidiary Daiwa Asset Management are also considering launching cryptocurrency investment products. The company is coordinating preparations with the ETF division of Global X Japan.
- SMBC Group, one of Japan’s largest banking conglomerates, established an intergroup working group to assess opportunities for entering the cryptocurrency investment product market. Discussions involve its brokerage unit, SMBC Nikko Securities.
- Asset Management One, part of Mizuho Financial Group, began a preliminary study of the crypto investment product market and is evaluating potential demand from both retail and institutional investors.
The sector’s development is linked to a major reform of digital asset regulation in Japan. In April, Japanese authorities approved amendments to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, granting crypto-assets the status of financial instruments alongside stocks and bonds. The new rules are expected to take effect in fiscal year 2027. At the same time, the country’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is preparing amendments to the Investment Trust Act that are expected to officially include cryptocurrencies in the list of permitted fund assets by 2028.
Analysts noted a 14% annual growth in the country’s FinTech sector in 2025 amid active digital transformation.
