Japan’s Positive Regulatory Wave Drives Six Major Japanese Firms to Explore Crypto Investments
Japan’s accelerating shift toward clearer and more crypto-friendly regulations is beginning to show dividends later than an improved institutional sentiment led to a new wave of interest from some of the country’s largest financial players. In Q4 2025, at least began formally assessing opportunities to develop or enter crypto-linked investment products, showing one of the strongest institutional pivots Japan has shown since its ahead platform-boom years.
This renewed appetite comes as Tokyo introduces updated regulatory frameworks aimed at improving custody answers, streamlining approvals for new financial instruments, and opening the door for professionally managed crypto exposure. The shift follows several quarters of steady policy refinement, positioning Japan as one of Asia’s most progressive jurisdictions in terms of digital asset oversight.
Major Firms in Japan Begin Crypto Exploration
According to multiple industry reports, including disclosures from leading asset managers, Japanese institutions are evaluating structures for platform-traded products, actively managed crypto funds, token-based yield instruments, and BTC-linked indexes.
The roster includes some of Japan’s largegest financial firms, including , Nomura Asset Management, SBI Global Asset Management, Daiwa Asset Management, Asset Management One, and Amova Asset Management (formerly Nikko Asset Management).
SBI Global, in particular, appears to be leading the charge with a target of ¥5 trillion ($32 billion) in crypto assets under management through a mix of (ETFs) and multi-asset crypto trusts. However, the other companies also manage billions of dollars in pension assets, insurance reserves, and domestic investment accounts.
Looking back, this institutional curiosity has been quietly building throughout 2025 but has now reached a positive turning point. A blend of regulatory green lights, improved global custody options, and growing investor demand is pushing large firms to formally explore crypto exposure. While none have launched products yet, many are now in advanced internal assessment.
Japan’s Regulatory Clarity Shows the Power of Collaboration
For Japan, this marks a significant shift because for years, major financial institutions largely stayed on the sidelines even as global players in the U.S. and Europe rapidly expanded into digital assets. The cautious posture stemmed from the country’s historically strict oversight following the . But with new regulations in place, firms are ready to re-engage the crypto industry.
This development shows the importance of collaboration between major stakeholders and regulators in developing crypto-based answers. For context, Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has spent the last two years refining rules for digital assets. These reforms created the foundation needed for asset managers to begin evaluating crypto-related financial products with far less operational risk.
While no official timelines have been announced for the launch of crypto investment products in the country, analysts expect the first wave to roll out between late 2025 and 2026. If these launches materialize, Japan could rapidly emerge as one of the most significant regulated crypto markets in Asia.
