Catenaa, Wednesday, January 07, 2026- Japan’s finance minister on Monday backed deeper integration of digital assets across stock and commodity exchanges, signaling policy support for crypto access, market reform and growth.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama spoke during a New Year address at the Tokyo Stock Exchange, where she urged closer ties between digital assets and traditional markets to broaden public participation.
Katayama said exchanges remain central gateways for household investors and institutions seeking exposure to blockchain based assets through regulated venues.
She pointed to the US market, where crypto exchange traded funds have gained traction as tools to hedge inflation and diversify portfolios, according to CoinPost.
Japan currently offers no domestically listed crypto ETFs, though officials have acknowledged growing investor demand for similar products.
Katayama labeled 2026 the country’s digital year and pledged government backing for exchanges developing advanced trading systems using new technology.
She also framed the coming year as a turning point for tackling Japan’s long running structural problems, including deflation and slow growth.
Fiscal measures and targeted investment were cited as priorities to revive economic momentum and restore confidence among businesses and consumers.
Japan has taken several steps over the past year to reposition itself as a global crypto center.
In October, the Financial Services Agency discussed allowing banks to trade and hold crypto assets alongside stocks and government bonds.
That same month, regulators approved the nation’s first yen linked stablecoin, JPYC.
The agency later finalized plans to reclassify 105 major cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin and ether, as regulated financial products.
Officials are also considering cutting the maximum tax rate on crypto gains to 20 percent from 55 percent, a move aimed at boosting domestic participation.
