Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama announced at the Open QUICK 2026 seminar, organized by leading financial information provider QUICK on July 10, that the government is progressing as scheduled in the process to legalize crypto asset exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the country. This development follows growing international interest in similar financial products abroad.
Regulatory shift for crypto assets
Recently, Japan’s House of Representatives approved a regulatory change transferring the oversight of spot crypto assets from the Payment Services Act to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. This move paves the way for crypto assets to be classified as fully regulated financial products, aligning their legal framework more closely with that of equities and bonds.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama confirmed that the government is proceeding with the legalization of crypto asset ETFs as originally intended.
The new regulation strengthens the legal basis for crypto asset ETFs to be listed and traded on Japanese exchanges. Under the current timetable, these products may begin trading on Japan’s markets as early as next year.
SBI develops two innovative fund offerings
In May, SBI Holdings announced the launch of a new crypto asset ETF. The company’s plans include a dual-asset ETF structure that will provide investors with regulated access to both Bitcoin and XRP. As one of Japan’s largest financial groups, SBI operates across banking, brokerage, and asset management services.
In addition, SBI proposed a hybrid investment fund bringing together gold-based ETFs and crypto asset ETFs. In this structure, 51% of the portfolio would be allocated to gold ETFs, while the remaining 49% would be dedicated to crypto assets such as Bitcoin ETFs. This approach targets more cautious institutional and retail investors seeking diversified exposure.
| Product | Content | Target audience |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-asset ETF | Bitcoin and XRP | Investors seeking regulated crypto access |
| Hybrid fund | 51% gold-based ETF, 49% crypto asset ETF | More cautious institutional and retail investors |
Ambitious asset growth and competition
SBI aims to reach approximately 5 trillion yen, equivalent to $32 billion in assets under management, within three years of launching these products. This target represents a bold step for crypto-themed investment products within Japan’s financial sector and signals significant anticipated demand.
The company also hopes to secure an early market advantage by moving ahead of major Japanese financial groups such as Nomura and Rakuten Securities. With expanding regulatory clarity, competition in the crypto ETF space in Japan is expected to intensify in the coming period.
Ripple partnership comes to the fore
SBI’s inclusion of XRP in its ETF plan aligns with its longstanding corporate partnership with Ripple. Known for its XRP-focused payment solutions, Ripple has established close business relationships in the Japanese market, and this collaboration continues to play a significant strategic role for SBI.
SBI is developing a structure uniting Bitcoin and XRP within the same fund, while also introducing a separate model that combines gold and crypto asset ETFs in a single portfolio.
Through these initiatives, SBI seeks to attract both aggressive crypto investors and more risk-averse clients, offering diverse routes to engage with digital assets under a regulated framework.
Market analysts expect SBI’s pioneering approach and regulatory developments to spur wider adoption of crypto ETFs in Japan, potentially altering the landscape for both institutional and retail participation in the coming years.
As Japan prepares to launch crypto asset ETFs, the convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology is poised to reshape investment options in the country, with major players vying for leadership in a rapidly evolving sector.
