Japan Edges Closer to Launching Its First Bitcoin ETF

Japan is moving closer to allowing Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with the country's first product potentially arriving in 2028 if regulatory changes move forward. The development comes after amendments approved by lawmakers brought crypto assets under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, prompting the Financial Services Agency (FSA) to revise investment-fund rules.

The revised rules will allow investment trusts and ETFs to directly hold digital assets, moving oversight away from the Payment Services Act. This change has significant implications for investors in Japan, who may soon have an easier way to gain exposure to Bitcoin.

Major financial firms such as SBI Holdings and Nomura are reportedly developing crypto investment products. Some estimates suggest Japanese Bitcoin ETFs could attract up to JPY 3 trillion by fiscal 2028.