The following article is a guest post and opinion of Maksym Sakharov, Co-founder and CEO of WeFi.

Last month, Japan’s Financial Services Agency proposed a wholesale reclassification of cryptocurrencies that would introduce a flat 20% tax on digital asset income and help introduce crypto exchange-traded funds.

For a long time, the country’s progressive tax system has imposed levies on crypto gains at rates of up to 55%, a factor many feel makes investing in crypto quite unattractive.

Institutionalized Inertia

However, this is not the only obstacle in the path of a potential Bitcoin ETF approval in Japan; it’s not even the most pressing. Late last year, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba seemingly dismissed the idea of crypto ETFs, questioning whether the government should promote digital assets like it does traditional investments.

His ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house following a bruising contest that saw them fall three seats shy of the 50 needed to maintain their advantage. Yet, even as political control hangs in the balance—and Ishiba vows to stay regardless of the election outcome—one thing has remained consistent: Japan’s deep-rooted caution.

Ishiba’s noncommittal stance on ETF approvals is merely a symptom of a deeper malaise. The country’s regulatory reflex isn’t about consumer safety alone—it’s about an entrenched culture of compliance that resists risk at all costs. This mindset, not the much-maligned 55% crypto tax, is what’s truly stifling innovation.

The irony is that Japan was once ahead of neighbors like South Korea and Hong Kong. It recognized crypto as a means of payment back in 2017 and built some of the world’s earliest regulatory infrastructure. Furthermore, in the second quarter of 2024, Metaplanet kick-started a wave of Bitcoin buying by Japanese listed companies, amassing a treasury worth almost $2 billion in BTC at last count. And that’s not all. Progress has also been made in the development of stablecoins and crypto payments infrastructure, with Sumitomo Mitsui signing an MoU with Ava Labs and Fireblocks in preparation to issue fiat-pegged cryptocurrencies.

Yet, beneath these seeming success stories lies a bureaucratic labyrinth killing businesses. Under the current framework, small startups with dreams of offering virtual asset services have found it hard to meet the stringent requirements that include extensive documentation, a local bank account, a Japan-based compliance team, and at least 10 million yen in capital, among others.

Some may argue that the rules are there to protect users, and that’s valid. But couldn’t there be a happy balance between consumer protection and leeway for innovation? It almost feels like the FSA is isolating regulators from builders, with pencil pushers designing rules without stress-testing them against real-world tech constraints.

If taxes were the real barrier for Web3 innovation, the FSA’s proposed reforms would ignite a boom.

Reform Roadmap

To pivot from compliance to competitiveness, Japan needs to rewire some of its long-held approaches. For starters, the government must sunset the pre-approval model and adopt a quicker system that lets exchanges release tokens with post-launch audits. Here, tokens just need to meet baseline disclosure and security attestation requirements to be listed. Full regulatory and technical audits can then be conducted within 30 days of the launch. This way, investor protections are still preserved through enforceable audit sanctions and delisting authority, while at the same time dramatically reducing listing lead times.

The country’s regulators also have to launch dynamic sandboxes that could use zero-knowledge proofs for privacy-safe verification. There’s also a need for state capital injection. Japan could create a $500 million FSA-matched fund directly backing Web3 startups that meet security benchmarks, effectively giving it some skin in the game.

Finally, to foster cooperation and shake off its bureaucratic isolation, the financial regulator could seat tech founders on its advisory boards. This would give it a firsthand look at industry pain points, allowing it to shape policies with the end user in mind rather than to be defensive, status quo-preserving tenets.

These are not radical demands. They’re already standard in the jurisdictions that are now leading global crypto adoption.

Builders are watching. With populist parties like Sanseito gaining traction on “Japan First” rhetoric, the political winds are shifting. If Ishiba’s coalition falls, a new administration could usher in a more innovation-friendly era. But only if Japan’s regulators pivot away from their risk-averse DNA. Without that shift, tax reform will be cosmetic, ETFs will remain in limbo, and Japan’s early advantage in crypto will fade into history.

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On July 15, 2025, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) quietly announced that it would begin supplying U.S. dollar funds against pooled collateral, starting on July 17, a move that might seem like standard liquidity management.

However, according to macro analyst EndGame Macro, this technical maneuver may signal the beginning of a far deeper shift, hinting at growing stress inside the global dollar funding ecosystem and the cumulative strain of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s persistent hawkishness.

The carry trade squeeze and systemic pressure

EndGame Macro explains that, for years, Japanese institutions profited from USD carry trades: borrowing cheaply in yen, investing in higher-yielding U.S. assets, and hedging the currency risk. This trade thrived on historically easy dollar liquidity and a strong yen. Now, with the dollar buoyed by high Fed rates and the yen slumping, the economics are breaking down.

As the cost and risk of rolling over these trades escalate, Japanese firms face mounting pressure. The BOJ’s action of supplying domestic USD liquidity is less about the current crisis and more about “preemptive firefighting.”

The maneuver also points to a broader global problem: dollar scarcity. When a major central bank intervenes to provide USD locally, it’s a clear message that private markets are slipping in their capacity to allocate dollars efficiently and cost-effectively. We’ve seen the early signs before, he states, most notably in 2008, 2011, 2019, and 2020, which led to repo market ruptures and emergency Fed interventions.

Arthur Hayes, former CEO of BitMEX, commented on the implications of these central bank machinations, pointing out that such moves bolster global liquidity:

“This is huge… The BOJ is about to ramp up the fiat liquidity gusher and propel $BTC much higher.”

The BOJ rate hike and crypto assets

CryptoSlate recently reported that the BOJ’s recent rate hike to 0.5%, the highest since 2008, sent shockwaves through both Japanese and international markets, including a 22% drop in Metaplanet shares.

The move, prompted by persistent inflation above 3%, has put pressure on previously steady carry trades and heightened volatility across assets. Higher Japanese rates narrow the profitability of borrowing in yen to invest overseas. Unwinding these trades can cause rapid capital flight from risk assets, including cryptocurrencies, increasing global volatility.

When the dollar becomes more expensive and less available globally, riskier assets, like Bitcoin, often face pressure, with price surges or sudden downturns as liquidity dynamics shift. However, if central banks, including the Fed and BOJ, coordinate or expand liquidity (e.g., via swap lines or renewed QE), risk assets like crypto can rebound sharply, as Hayes anticipates.

The BOJ’s recent steps, both in lifting rates and preemptively adding USD liquidity, are more than routine tweaks. As EndGame Macro states:

“Quiet moves like this one are often the first signs.”

The post Bank of Japan’s quiet dollar liquidity move: warning sign or just the beginning? appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Taking advantage of rising hotel prices and the boom in shachuhaku (sleeping in your car), the Japanese convenience store chain Lawson has rolled out a new pilot program that lets travelers spend the night in select store parking lots, reports Tokyo Weekender.

From July 14, 2025 through June 2026, six Chiba locations—Minamibōsō, Kamogawa, Onjuku, Ichinomiya, Futtsu — are offering “Car-bini” (a play on the Japanese word konbini, short for “convenience store) koRV-park-style spaces for ¥2,500–¥3,000 ($16–$20) a night.

The concept is simple: reserve and pre-pay online, arrive at 6 p.m., occupy two marked spaces, and stay until 9 a.m. Guests get access to store restrooms, an extension cord for electricity, and trash disposal for one bag. “Lawson stores are open 24/7—providing constant access to food, drinks, bathrooms and even ice cream,” Tokyo Weehender notes. That’s a big upgrade over rural michi-no-eki that lock their gates at sunset.

A partnership with the Japan RV Association keeps the experiment orderly, addressing growing concerns about noise, litter, and idling engines at free rest areas. A Lawson spokesperson told Tokyo Weekender that “many customers already take naps in store lots, but inconsistent policies created confusion.” By formalizing the stay, the chain turns underused pavement into revenue and gives drivers peace of mind.

Only one vehicle per store is available during the trial, but Lawson hopes to expand nationwide. Until then, road-trippers can literally fall asleep under the glow of a Lawson sign — proof that in Japan, convenience truly never sleeps.

Previously:
• Watch this clever Japanese rice ball hack
• This video shows you how to travel in Japan on the cheap
• How to get food in Japan without knowing how to speak Japanese

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Ripple has teamed up with Japan’s Web3 Salon to back blockchain startups with real money and real support. According to Ripple, each project can tap up to $200,000 in grant funding over the next year. There’s also a 1 Billion XRP commitment aimed at helping builders on the XRP Ledger grow their ventures.

Grant Funding Aimed At Growth

Based on a post on X, the XRPL Japan and Korea Fund will pick early-stage teams in Japan that work on DeFi, tokenized real assets and digital payments. Winners will get as much as $200,000 per project. There’s clear focus on projects that show promise through strong tech and plans to scale. Ripple says funding decisions will hinge on growth potential and how well each team aligns with its goals.

Ripple and @Web3Salon, supported by JETRO, are launching a new partnership for Japan-based Web3 startups: https://t.co/TfcOf62srY

Open to early-stage teams building on the XRP Ledger with a focus on DeFi, tokenization, and payments.

Learn how this program will fuel the next…

— RippleX (@RippleXDev) June 9, 2025

Mentorship And Workshops For Founders

According to the Web3 Salon project, founders won’t just get money. They’ll also join hands-on workshops and one-on-one coaching. Mentors include seasoned entrepreneurs and policy experts. That means help with business plans. It means guidance on dealing with Japan’s rules. It also offers chances to sit at roundtables with regulators and potential backers.

Community Events Line Up Through 2026

Ripple and Web3 Salon will co-host four big events between now and March 2026. Each gathering will put the spotlight on standout teams. There’ll be pitch sessions. There’ll be panels with voices from both inside Japan and abroad. Investor meet-ups will give startups a chance to find more funding. And workshops will cover token rules and cross-border work.

Regulatory Support From JETRO

Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO, is on board to smooth the path. Reports say JETRO will help connect fintech startups with government bodies. That’s key in Japan’s tightly regulated market. According to JETRO, this move aims to make it easier for new blockchain ideas to pass compliance checks and move forward without getting stuck in red tape.

Bringing Global Partners Together

Beyond cash and coaching, Ripple will open its global network to these startups. Based on statements from Christina Chan, Senior Director of Developer Growth at RippleX, teams will get access to Ripple’s customers and experts. That can speed up testing in foreign markets. It can also spark cross-border payment pilots or token launches with big names.

Why Japan Is In The Spotlight

Japan is known for strong rules and top technical talent. But its strict setup can slow innovation. According to Asia Web3 Alliance Japan President Hinza Asif, this tie-up aims to cut through complexity. It’s about giving founders the tools they need. It’s also about making sure blockchain projects fit local rules and global standards.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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The crypto-keen auto and electricity trading company is the former owner of the crypto exchange BITPoint, which it sold to the securities giant SBI in 2023.

Per a Remixpoint investor relations document posted to its website on May 14 and a report from Japan’s CoinPost, the firm spent 500 million yen on Bitcoin on May 13, paying about 15.23 million yen (104,506) per BTC.

In total, the firm bought BTC 32.83, bringing the sum of its Bitcoin holdings to BTC 648.82.

Remixpoint: Bitcoin Buying Continues

Remixpoint’s BTC portfolio’s book value on May 14 was approximately 8.19 billion yen (56.2 million), with the holdings’ market valuation approximately 9.91 billion yen ($68 million).

The firm has also held on to its seizable Ethereum (ETH) and altcoin portfolio, the release continued.

Last year, the company announced it had bought Solana (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), XRP, and Avalanche (AVAX) coins.

It is unclear if the firm has since sold its AVAX holdings, as it made no mention of the coins in its latest crypto holdings breakdown.

Per the statement, Remixpoint holds:

• ETH 901.45
• SOL 13,920
• XRP 1.19 million
• DOGE 2.8 million

The total value of its crypto holdings, calculated on May 13, was over 11.1 billion yen ($76 million).

Company Remains Crypto-keen

Despite the BITPoint sale, Remixpoint has continued to pursue crypto-related business avenues. The firm began its crypto-buying strategy in 2024.

And earlier this month, Remixpoint announced plans to launch crypto staking and validator business operations via a partnership with Omakase.

The latter is a validator with a record of operating nodes on at least 20 blockchain protocols.

The deal will see Omakase provide Remixpoint with technical support as the firm builds its own validation business arm.

Omakase will also provide operational monitoring and risk management services.

Japanese firms show no sign of slowing their Bitcoin-buying fervor. The famously Bitcoin-keen Metaplanet boosted the size of its own BTC holdings this month.

And TYO-listed gaming firms like Enish and Gumi have also launched ambitious BTC-buying strategies in recent weeks.

The post Japan’s Remixpoint Buys Another $3.4M Worth of Bitcoin appeared first on Cryptonews.

Per reports from the newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun and the media outlet CoinPost, the firm said it completed development on the coin “at the end of last year.”

Mitsubishi UFJ: Stablecoin Ready to Roll Out

Hiroshi Kubota, who took up the role of Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking CEO on April 1 this year, said the company was making “final adjustments” on the coin prior to rollout.

The newspaper wrote that the stablecoin will initially be used in the carbon credits trading sphere.

The bank plans to “expand” the coin’s use to “trade settlements and other uses” at a later, unspecified date, Yomiuri wrote. Kubota said:

“[Stablecoins] are low-cost and allow for faster settlement. [The coin] is revolutionary and will contribute to the solving of social issues.”

Japanese financial players think that stablecoins will help “eliminate the burden” of having “multiple banks involved in current cross-border settlements.” They say that the current process “incurs high fees.”

This stablecoin will be classified as an “electronic payment instrument” under the terms of the Japanese Payment Services Act.

The newspaper added that Mitsubishi UFJ’s banking arm was “working with the digital infrastructure company [and affiliate] Progmat and others” on the “preparations” for the coin.

More Banks Ready to Move into Stablecoins Space

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation is part of the wider Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. The latter is one of the world’s largest financial services players.

The firm has been working on stablecoins and stablecoin interoperability platforms for several years.

In addition to Progmat, the firm has also been working with cryptoasset sector partners such as the domestic crypto exchange Bitbank.

More Japanese banks are widely expected to enter the stablecoin sector in the months ahead.

Earlier this week, Japanese media outlets reported that the Mitsubishi UFJ rival Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group was readying its own stablecoin.

The bank is working with the blockchain player Ava Labs and crypto infrastructure firm Fireblocks on its project.

Key amendments to the Payment Services Act came into effect in June 2023. These allow “qualified” Japanese firms to issue and distribute legal tender-backed stablecoins by qualified administrators.

Progmat has been operating within these new legal frameworks. It has been working mainly with top public blockchain networks like Ethereum.

CoinPost wrote that the Mitsubishi UFJ “initiative” was “attracting attention,” due to the fact that it “opens up new possibilities for the tokenization of real assets (RWAs) and stablecoin payments.”

Kubota, meanwhile, also revealed his intention to ensure the bank posts gross profits of at least 30 billion yen (over $206 million) by 2034.

He explained he hoped to reach the goal by pursuing “new business.” He said this would be done in areas such as stablecoin-related projects and collaborations with startups. Kubota concluded:

“If we meet social needs, that will lead to big business opportunities. If we do not continue to find new business avenues, there will be no reason for this company to exist.”

The post Mitsubishi UFJ ‘On Verge of Launching Japan’s First Stablecoin’ appeared first on Cryptonews.

The Open House Group, a prominent Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed real estate firm, has expanded its crypto payment options to include XRP, SOL, and DOGE. This addition brings the total number of accepted digital currencies on the company’s platform to five, complementing the previously supported Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

As Japan’s fifth-largest real estate company by revenue, Open House’s decision marks an upward trend in crypto payments and adoption within the country’s property sector. Emi Yoshikawa, a former Ripple executive, shared the news on X, highlighting the importance of this development:

According to a translated press release, Open House Group aims to facilitate international property purchases in Japan through its “Open House Global” portal, now offering crypto payment information and multilingual support to cater to a global clientele.

This move by Open House could set a precedent for mainstream crypto transactions in high-value purchases, potentially encouraging other businesses in Japan and globally to follow suit. It further legitimizes cryptocurrencies as a viable payment option for significant transactions.

Japan is evolving to accommodate crypto

Japan’s regulatory environment has been evolving to accommodate crypto adoption. The country has implemented clearer guidelines for crypto businesses, and Japan’s Financial Services Agency recently proposed significant updates to the Payment Services Act, introducing new regulations for stablecoins and cryptocurrencies.

The aim is to diversify stablecoin reserves, allowing trust companies to hold up to 50% of reserves in term deposits and government bonds while maintaining a one-to-one backing. This would enhance investor protection by enabling regulators to mandate onshore custody of spot digital assets and stablecoins by exchanges, addressing concerns raised by past exchange collapses.

The bill also introduces a new category of intermediaries that can act as brokers between clients and crypto exchanges without registering as exchanges themselves, streamlining the process while maintaining regulatory oversight on asset and risk disclosures.

At the same time, a proposal is being discussed by Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that would introduce a 20% tax rate for crypto investments, aligning them with stocks and other financial products.

As more established companies like Open House embrace cryptocurrencies and government policies continue to pursue a more crypto-friendly stance, it could pave the way for wider adoption and use cases in Japan’s property market and beyond.

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