Japan plans to delay Bitcoin ETF approval until 2028 to align with new crypto tax rules, but industry leaders say this is too slow. SBI Global Asset Management’s CEO warned the delay could leave Japan behind other countries in digital asset adoption.

Japan’s financial regulators are laying the groundwork for a major shift in crypto market access, with discussions underway that could allow spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to launch as early as 2028, according to multiple reports citing people familiar with the matter.

In a clear show of political backing, the country’s finance minister has called for digital assets to be woven directly into Japan’s stock and commodity exchanges, positioning 2026 as a decisive “digital year” for capital-markets reform.

Tokyo-based Metaplanet is closing 2025 with a massive Bitcoin purchase, buying 4,279 BTC for $451 million, bringing the company's total holdings to 35,102 BTC.

SoftBank has agreed to buy digital infrastructure firm DigitalBridge for $4 billion to strengthen its AI-related data centre and connectivity assets. The deal, valued at $16 per share, is expected to close in the second half of next year and gives SoftBank access to DigitalBridge’s $108 billion portfolio.

Japan is moving forward with a major overhaul of its crypto taxation framework, proposing a flat 20% tax on profits from digital assets under its 2026 tax reform plan. While this marks a significant reduction from the current 55% rate, the new policy currently applies only to a limited set of “specified” crypto assets, leaving many to wonder what that means.

Bybit will begin phasing out services for Japanese residents from 2026, as the country’s stringent regulatory framework continues to squeeze unregistered global crypto exchanges out of the market.

Tencent has gained access to Nvidia’s banned Blackwell AI chips by using data centres in Japan and Australia, instead of bringing the hardware into China. The setup lets Tencent keep training advanced AI models while staying outside US export rules.

A 32-year-old Japanese woman, Yurina Noguchi, held a symbolic wedding with an AI character she created using ChatGPT in Okayama in October 2025. The AI, named Lune Klaus Verdure, followed a personality Noguchi designed, and the ceremony included traditional wedding elements but has no legal recognition.

Japan’s central bank is starting to sell over $500 billion in ETFs very slowly to avoid upsetting markets. The move is part of a long-term plan to reduce intervention and manage risk as the economy and stock market recover.