Major brokerage groups in Japan are preparing crypto investment trust products as regulators work to allow funds to hold digital assets by 2028.
summary
- SBI and Rakuten are setting up in-house cryptocurrency investment funds for Japanese retail investors.
- Firms associated with Nomura, Daiwa, SMBC and Mizuho are considering crypto fund products as rules evolve.
- Japan’s 2028 roadmap could allow investment funds and ETFs to hold Bitcoin and Ethereum.
SBI Securities and Rakuten Securities are already developing products within their own groups. According to For Nikki’s report.
The planned products could give retail investors exposure to cryptocurrencies through regular securities accounts. Today, many Japanese users still need exchange accounts or wallets to purchase cryptocurrencies directly. Mutual funds would reduce this barrier and place exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum within a familiar fund structure.
SBI and Rakuten build in-house products
SBI Securities plans to sell products developed by SBI Global Asset Management. The funds are expected to focus on highly liquid assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, while reviewing exchange-traded funds and mutual funds.
Rakuten Securities also sets up crypto investment trust products through Rakuten Investment Management and other group companies. The company wants users to trade products directly through smartphone apps, according to the report.
Furthermore, Nomura and Daiwa also announced plans to develop cryptocurrency investment funds once the regulatory framework becomes clear. SMBC Group, including SMBC Nikko, has formed a working group to study potential products, while Mizuho Financial Group’s Asset Management One has begun early research.
A reconnaissance Market updates stated that 11 out of 18 major Japanese brokerages may offer credit products for investing in cryptocurrencies after their approval. This shows widespread interest from traditional finance, even before the rules are complete.
Japan’s crypto fund roadmap is progressing
Japan’s Financial Services Agency is expected to review the rules under the Investment Funds Law by 2028. This change will add cryptocurrency assets to the list of assets that investment funds can hold.
Crypto news I mentioned Japan recently reclassified cryptocurrencies as a financial instrument under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. The change adds stronger market rules, including annual disclosure requirements and insider trading restrictions.
The same policy shift supports Japan’s plan to approve spot cryptocurrency ETFs by 2028. I mentioned Earlier, Nomura Holdings and SBI Holdings were expected to be among the first major companies to develop cryptocurrency-related ETF products.
SBI’s broader crypto activity also continues. Market updates from crypto.news He said The group pursued Bitbank subreddits and launched a Visa card offering Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP rewards. These moves show how Japanese brokerage groups are building retail access to cryptocurrencies across funds, exchanges and payment products.
