FX.co ★ Japan names 2026 'digital year' as it moves to integrate crypto into exchanges

Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama announced plans to incorporate cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based assets into the infrastructure of Japan’s stock and commodity exchanges at the Tokyo Stock Exchange opening ceremony on January 2, 2026. Katayama designated 2026 a "digital year" for the financial system and said digital assets should become accessible to the broader public through regulated exchange mechanisms.

The minister argued that stock and commodity exchanges play a central role in providing mass access to crypto while ensuring investor protection and transparency. Citing the example of the United States, where crypto ETFs have gained wide acceptance as an inflation-hedging tool, Katayama linked the digital push to Japan’s long-term battle against deflation and a strategic shift from a savings-based to an investment-driven economy.

In December 2025, Japan introduced a new tax framework for digital assets, shifting its approach from taxing unrealized gains to a more transparent system for reporting income from token transactions. The reform aligns cryptocurrencies with traditional financial instruments. Authorities expect the development of digital assets to be supported by active fiscal policy and targeted investments in economic growth.