Yeliz Akmaca 
Japan Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama announced on Monday at the Tokyo Stock Exchange that cryptocurrencies should be integrated into traditional financial markets. She described 2026 as the “first year of the digital era”, signaling a major push to modernize the country’s financial system. Katayama pointed to U.S. crypto ETFs as a model, highlighting their use as a hedge against inflation for citizens.
As Minister of State for Financial Services, Katayama pledged full support for exchanges building fintech-driven trading infrastructure. The move aims to make blockchain-based digital assets more accessible to the public through established stock and commodity markets.
Major Tax and Regulatory Changes
The government cut the crypto tax rate from 55% to 20%, bringing digital assets in line with stocks and other traditional investments. Japan also reclassified 105 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, as financial products under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Investors can now carry forward crypto trading losses for up to three years.
SBI Holdings is preparing to file for ETFs, while Ripple plans to launch its RLUSD stablecoin in Q1 with SBI support.
Global Implications and Japan’s Strategy
Japan holds roughly $1.2 trillion in U.S. Treasury bonds, making it the largest foreign holder. Any institutional move toward digital assets could affect global crypto markets. Japan has already approved its first yen-pegged stablecoin, JPYC, and regulators have discussed allowing banks to hold and trade cryptocurrencies directly.
Katayama described 2026 as a turning point for addressing structural economic challenges through fiscal policy and growth sector investment. With lower taxes, clearer regulations, and ETF products rolling out, Japan is positioning itself as a major global hub for digital assets.
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