Japan's FSA Proposes Crypto Regulations, Paving Way for Bank Investments in Bitcoin and Ethereum
October 19, 2025
Regulatory clarity is likely to draw more institutional and venture capital investments, supported by Japan’s recent fintech sector growth, which raised over $5.2 billion in 2024 thanks to government initiatives and tax reforms.
This regulatory shift aims to align crypto asset management with traditional financial instruments, fostering innovation, increasing liquidity, and integrating blockchain-based financial ecosystems within Japan’s banking sector.
Despite Japan’s strict crypto regulations following past incidents like Mt. Gox, recent reforms indicate a growing confidence in blockchain technology’s security and maturity.
Discussions on these regulatory reforms are expected to begin soon within Japan’s Financial System Council, an advisory body to the Prime Minister, signaling a pivotal moment for the country’s digital economy.
The new framework would also aim to align crypto asset management with traditional financial assets like equities and government bonds, increasing investor confidence.
Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) is planning to introduce new regulations that will allow banks and major financial institutions to hold and invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, marking a significant step toward mainstream crypto adoption.
The proposed framework will include strict risk management rules to address concerns over price volatility and protect financial stability, while also enabling banking groups to register as crypto exchange providers to facilitate trading and safeguard retail investors.
If approved, the policy could facilitate large institutional investments into Bitcoin and digital assets, boosting their adoption and legitimacy in Japan.
Historical precedents suggest that similar regulatory changes in the past have led to increased on-chain activity and governance token movement, especially for Layer 1 protocols like Ethereum.
The move is expected to attract significant institutional capital into liquid networks such as Ethereum and scalable platforms like Solana, which could enhance market liquidity and stability.
The FSA plans to establish a new Crypto Bureau next year to address ongoing issues such as insider trading and strengthen regulatory oversight of the crypto ecosystem.
As of October 19, 2025, Ethereum’s price hovered around $3,921 with a market cap of approximately $462 billion, and analysts believe that Japanese banks entering the market could reignite institutional interest.
These developments could strengthen blockchain-based financial ecosystems, promote decentralized applications, and foster innovation within a more integrated banking and crypto environment.
Summary based on 21 sources
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Sources

Cointelegraph • Oct 19, 2025
Japan’s FSA weighs allowing banks to hold Bitcoin, other cryptos: Report
Crypto Briefing • Oct 19, 2025
Japan mulls rule change to let banks hold Bitcoin, crypto for investment
Cointelegraph • Oct 19, 2025
Japan’s FSA weighs allowing banks to hold Bitcoin, other cryptos: Report