TL;DR
At least six major Japanese asset managers review cryptocurrency investment products, according to a report from Nikkei. The firms adjust their plans as regulators push forward with wide reforms covering stablecoins, custody frameworks and tax relief for digital assets.
Daiwa Asset Management, Asset Management One, Amova Asset Management and Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management confirm internal evaluations aimed at creating the country’s first crypto-based investment trusts. Current regulations block digital assets from entering collective investment structures, so asset managers monitor upcoming regulatory steps.
Japan’s Financial Services Agency considers reclassifying cryptocurrencies under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, moving away from the Payment Services Act. Reporting from The Crypto Economy notes that regulators plan to align crypto taxation with stocks and bonds under a flat 20% rate. The reform also seeks to formalize crypto as a regulated financial product.
The agency works toward completing legal adjustments during the 2026 ordinary legislative session. Legal updates would support amendments to the Investment Trust Act and allow asset managers to offer crypto investment trusts to retail investors and later to institutional clients.
SBI Global Asset Management outlines plans for ETFs tied to Bitcoin and Ethereum, along with diversified crypto investment trusts. The firm projects roughly 5 trillion yen — about 32 billion dollars — under management within three years of launch.
Nomura Asset Management forms internal task forces to prepare new crypto products ahead of the expected rule changes. The firm reports that its systems operate ready for rapid deployment when regulators finalize the framework.
