- Major Japanese brokerages including SBI Securities and Rakuten Securities are preparing to launch in-house crypto investment trusts for retail clients.
- This marks a shift, allowing crypto exposure through existing securities accounts instead of requiring separate exchange accounts or wallets.
- Japan is revising regulations to classify crypto as financial instruments and could allow crypto ETFs as early as 2028.
- Other major financial groups like Nomura, Daiwa, and SMBC Group are also planning to enter the crypto fund space.
Major Japanese financial firms are gearing up to bring cryptocurrency investment products directly to retail investors through their securities accounts, according to a recent report. SBI Securities and Rakuten Securities are leading the charge by developing these products in-house.
SBI Securities plans to sell funds developed by its group company, spanning both ETFs and investment trusts focused on assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Consequently, the group intends to handle everything from product development to distribution internally. Rakuten Securities is taking a similar approach, working to build products tradeable directly through smartphone apps.
This move significantly lowers barriers for ordinary investors who currently need dedicated exchange accounts. Meanwhile, other major players are also preparing for this new market.
Among larger names, Nomura and Daiwa have announced plans to develop crypto investment trusts within their groups. SMBC Group has set up a task force to evaluate its options, while Asset Management One has begun preliminary exploration.
This activity coincides with major regulatory changes in Japan. The Financial Services Agency is moving to revise the Investment Trust Act by 2028 to formally include cryptocurrencies.
Japan recently reclassified crypto assets as financial instruments under an amended Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. The bill is expected to take effect in fiscal 2027 if passed in the current parliamentary session.
The country is also reportedly considering rule changes that could allow spot crypto ETFs as early as 2028. SBI Holdings has already outlined plans for a Bitcoin-XRP dual ETF and a Gold-crypto ETF, pending regulatory approval.
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