JAPAN IS OPENING ITS DOORS TO BITCOIN ETFs. Japan’s Minister of Finance, Satsuki Katayama: “We aim to advance evaluations toward legalizing crypto ETFs in Japan.” Katayama also labeled 2026 as Japan’s “Digital Year.” In Japan, crypto assets are currently being reclassified as regulated “financial products.” This step is creating the necessary legal foundation for the implementation of crypto ETFs in the country. Once the legal framework is finalized, Japanese investors will be able to invest in crypto assets through traditional intermediaries such as SBI and Rakuten—without needing a separate crypto exchange or digital wallet. SBI, Nomura, and other financial institutions have already begun developing products for this market. Japan is moving toward becoming one of the world’s leading crypto ETF markets, alongside the U.S. and Hong Kong.