Japan to launch "Digital Year" in 2026, officials strongly promote the launch of cryptocurrency exchanges

2026-01-19 09:16:28

Abstract generation in progress

Japan’s financial sector is accelerating its layout of the digital asset ecosystem. Finance Minister Kato Gakuetsu stated at the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s New Year trading kickoff that Japan plans to designate 2026 as the “Digital Year,” marking a new phase of official recognition for cryptocurrencies and blockchain assets.

Exchanges Become Key Hubs for Popularizing Digital Assets

Kato Gakuetsu emphasized that to truly allow the general public to enjoy the benefits brought by digital assets and blockchain, commodity exchanges and securities exchanges must take on important roles. She indicated that the government expects to promote the market adoption of cryptocurrencies and digital assets effectively by improving exchange infrastructure, gradually integrating these new financial tools into ordinary people’s investment portfolios.

The U.S. Model Offers Lessons for Japan

Notably, Kato Gakuetsu specifically mentioned successful cases in the United States. In the U.S. market, crypto assets have become an important tool for ordinary investors to hedge against inflation, in the form of ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds). This approach of providing digital asset exposure through formal financial channels is viewed by officials as a feasible international reference model. Implicitly, Japan is also considering offering more convenient and secure digital asset investment options for the public through similar structured products.

Official Pledges Full Support for Financial Innovation

As the Finance Minister, Kato Gakuetsu promised to vigorously promote the development of exchanges in cutting-edge financial technology applications, including optimizing trading environments and upgrading market infrastructure. She also hopes that Japan’s stock market will set new historical highs in this new cycle, hinting that the opening of digital assets could become a new engine to boost overall financial market activity.

These signals indicate that Japan is paving the way for the integration of digital assets into the mainstream financial system from a policy perspective, and 2026 may become a crucial watershed for Japan’s compliant operation of crypto assets.

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