Regulations

Story: Japan’s Big Brokerages Chase Crypto Trust Market Before Rules Even Land

By Maheen Hernandez

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Why Retail Investors Are the Target. Retail demand is the engine here. Japanese retail investors have watched crypto markets swing…

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SBI, Rakuten, Nomura — Different Firms, Same Direction. SBI Holdings isn't new to crypto. The firm has had a hand in digital asset businesses for years,…

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What the Regulatory Shift Actually Means. Japan's anticipated rule changes would formally allow funds to hold crypto assets — a meaningful…

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Japan's three biggest brokerage names are moving fast. SBI Holdings, Rakuten, and Nomura are all deep into preparations to launch crypto investment trusts for retail investors —…

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The push is basically a race to the front of the line. Japan is working toward a regulatory framework that will formally permit funds to hold cryptocurrency, and these firms want…

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Retail demand is the engine here. Japanese retail investors have watched crypto markets swing wildly for years, and a chunk of them want in — but not through unregulated…

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That's the bet these firms are making, anyway.

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Crypto investment trusts aren't a new idea globally. Similar products have gained serious traction in other markets, with institutional-grade wrappers making digital assets…

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SBI Holdings isn't new to crypto. The firm has had a hand in digital asset businesses for years, so its move into investment trusts fits a longer pattern.

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Read also: AI Jailbreaking Puts Chatbot Security at Risk for Crypto and Fintech Users

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All three are aligning their internal strategies around the anticipated regulatory guidelines.

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Details on specific timelines remain sparse. No launch dates have been confirmed. No regulatory approval has been announced.

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Read also: Datavault AI Doubles Down on Tokenization as Losses Widen and Rules Stay Murky

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The broader trend is clear enough. Traditional financial institutions across Asia have been warming to digital assets, and Japan's major players don't want to be left behind as…

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Still, SBI, Rakuten, and Nomura are committing resources now. The preparations are real, even if the final product details aren't public yet.

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