Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is weighing a landmark reform that would let domestic banks buy, hold, trade, and custody Bitcoin and crypto, treating them more like stocks or government bonds under a unified, prudential framework.

The plan, set for discussion at an upcoming Financial Services Council meeting, would also allow banking groups to register as licensed crypto-exchange operators, giving retail and corporate clients direct access to digital assets through their existing banks.

The move marks a sharp pivot from 2020 guidelines that barred banks from investing in crypto due to volatility.

Why It Matters for Banks, Investors, and Japan’s Economy

The reform could normalize crypto inside Japan’s mainstream financial system, opening the door to bank-grade custody, tradin

See Full Page