Japan’s Cautious Stance on Crypto ETFs May Hinder Future Developments, Expert Claims

Key Takeaways

• Japan prohibits firms from investing in crypto investment products.
• This has led to the country falling behind its rivals.
• Experts suggest Japan needs to change its stance on crypto ETFs to catch up.

Japan, once hailed as a crypto hub, is now struggling to keep pace with its Asian counterparts in crypto adoption.

Despite its early adoption of comprehensive crypto regulations in 2017, the country’s reluctance to approve crypto ETFs has left it lagging.

Why Is Japan Struggling?

Japan continues to prohibit investment funds from investing in crypto-based products, including ETFs.

This decision has hindered the growth of its crypto market, leaving the country severely behind its rivals.

Japan’s struggle to adopt the crypto industry, particularly ETFs, appears to have a social undertone.

The country is known for its technologically progressive nature but is also deeply rooted in tradition and social norms.

Crypto adoption is primarily driven by countries with poor banking facilities, financial inequality, or high investor appetite for new products.

With its robust financial markets and traditional investment preferences, Japan falls outside these categories.

 Keisuke Kimura, vice president of the Japan Cryptoasset Business Association, told  the Financial Times that crypto’s volatile and speculative nature, combined with large-scale crypto scandals such as Mt. Gox and DMM, makes it a low-trust asset class, which is why the population is hesitant towards it. 

“While family offices and corporate venture capital firms with agile decision-making processes may be ready to move forward, many traditional large asset managers, insurance companies, and financial institutions are still developing their understanding of crypto assets and risk management protocols,” he added.

Path Forward

For Japan to break free from its crypto stagnation, experts argue that a broader societal acceptance of crypto assets is necessary.

One potential catalyst for this shift is the introduction of Crypto ETFs.

Currently, profits from crypto investments are subject to a hefty 55% tax rate , while crypto ETF investments would fall under a more favorable 20% capital gains tax.

This disparity has caught the attention of firms like Franklin Templeton and SBI Holdings , which are already preparing to launch crypto ETFs in the hopes of securing regulatory approval.

However, convincing regulators to give the green light will require a seismic shift in Japan’s social and cultural landscape.

Blockchain and crypto advocacy groups are applying pressure, but until a fundamental change takes place, Japan’s crypto market will continue to trail behind its Asian counterparts.