Shiba Inu (SHIB) has secured a significant milestone in Japan, one of Asia’s most highly regulated crypto markets. Laser Digital Japan, the digital subsidiary of the major investment holding company Nomura Holdings, has received approval from Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) to provide digital asset services, and included SHIB among only six cryptocurrencies permitted for trading on its new platform.
Regulatory breakthrough for Laser Digital Japan
The FSA officially registered Laser Digital Japan on August 21, making it the first new crypto exchange license granted by the agency in four years. The approval is notable, as Japan maintains some of the world’s strictest regulatory standards for cryptocurrency platforms. Companies must demonstrate robust compliance and operational transparency to meet licensing criteria.
The inclusion of SHIB in Laser Digital Japan’s offering has drawn attention, considering that the platform will launch with only six regulated coins: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC), and Shiba Inu (SHIB). The conservative coin selection emphasizes the significance of SHIB’s addition alongside established cryptocurrencies.
Laser Digital Japan is positioned as a provider for institutional clients, initially offering wholesale liquidity services to domestic crypto platforms. Plans are underway to expand trading access to corporations and investment funds in subsequent phases.
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AAPLMini dictionary: Laser Digital Japan, the digital assets subsidiary of Nomura Holdings, focuses on digital asset trading services and institutional infrastructure for cryptocurrencies in the Japanese market.
SHIB advances driven by institutional and retail adoption
SHIB’s approval was made possible in part by its presence on the Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association’s (JVCEA) “Green List.” This list streamlines the vetting process for tokens, allowing local exchanges to list these assets through an expedited registration procedure.
Earlier this year, retail momentum for SHIB accelerated. Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten introduced token trading to its ecosystem, granting 44 million registered users and 5 million merchant partners access to digital assets. Rakuten amplified engagement with a large-scale token giveaway campaign and the launch of physical SHIB-themed items.
At the same time, popular secondhand marketplace Mercari enabled SHIB trading through its Mercoin subsidiary, targeting its 24 million active users. This move allowed sellers to convert the proceeds of their transactions directly into SHIB. As a result, 4 million new crypto accounts were created, with 85% of new users having no previous exposure to digital assets.
| Platform | Active Users / Ecosystem | SHIB Integration |
|---|---|---|
| Rakuten | 44 million users 5 million merchants | Token trading, giveaways, physical items |
| Mercari (Mercoin) | 24 million users | SHIB payout from secondhand sales, 4 million new crypto accounts |
Shiba Inu’s official X account marked the FSA approval as a milestone for the token’s presence in Japan. The development is expected to enhance SHIB’s reputation and use within institutional finance as well as retail markets nationwide.
Unlike traditional local retail exchanges, Laser Digital Japan was designed to serve institutional capital. SHIB’s addition to the platform signals the token’s transition into a regulated financial product in its country of origin.
