$XRP Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) is advancing major crypto reforms, including reclassifying XRP as a regulated financial product by Q2 2026 and laying groundwork for spot crypto ETFs by 2028.
XRP Reclassification Details
The FSA plans to shift XRP from the Payment Services Act (treating it as a payment instrument) to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA), aligning it with traditional securities like equities and bonds.
This imposes stricter rules: enhanced licensing for exchanges, mandatory disclosures, robust anti-money laundering (AML) measures, and investor protections to cut legal ambiguities and boost institutional adoption.
Implementation targets Q2 2026, following legislative submission in 2026, potentially slashing XRP's capital gains tax from up to 55% to a flat 20% to unlock retail and institutional demand.
Crypto ETF Roadmap
Japan aims to legalize spot crypto ETFs by 2028 via amendments to the Investment Trust Act, adding cryptocurrencies as "specified assets" for investment trusts tradable on the Tokyo Stock Exchange through standard brokerages.
Custody will require trust banks with upgraded security standards, informed by past hacks like DMM Bitcoin's 2024 ¥48.2B loss, while asset managers face tougher operational rules.
The tax cut to 20% for crypto gains (matching equities) is central, positioning Japan competitively in Asia's ETF race.
Broader Regulatory Context
These changes are part of Japan's 2026 "Digital Year," approving 105 cryptocurrencies under securities frameworks and integrating trading into stock exchanges for seamless access via established firms.
The FSA launched a public consultation on crypto and digital payment rules (ending February 27, 2026) to refine protections and MiCA-like standards.
Outcomes could influence global norms, drawing banks and pension funds while addressing volatility risks.
