Japan’s Brokerage Giants Drop Bitcoin Into Your Pocket-Here’s How They’ll Shake Up Crypto!

Japan’s leading online brokers, SBI Securities and Rakuten Securities, are expanding into cryptocurrency. They are creating their own investment products that will allow everyday customers to easily invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum.

This change could significantly impact how Japanese investors access cryptocurrency. Here’s a breakdown of the plan and why it’s important at this moment.

SBI and Rakuten Are Building In-House Bitcoin and Ethereum Bitcoin Investment Trusts in Japan

A crypto investment trust is a regulated fund that invests in digital currencies like Bitcoin, offering investors a way to gain exposure without directly owning the coins.

Today, most Japanese users still need a separate exchange account or wallet to buy crypto directly.

Nikkei reports that these new investment trusts make it easier to invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum. Investors can buy these cryptocurrencies through their existing stock brokerage accounts, similar to how they buy stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. This approach feels more like traditional investing than directly trading on a cryptocurrency exchange.

SBI Securities will begin offering investment products created by its sister company, SBI Global Asset Management. SBI Global Asset Management aims to manage around ¥5 trillion (approximately $32 billion) in assets within three years of starting operations.

SBI intends to manage the full chain internally, from product design to distribution.

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Breaking news: Two major Japanese financial firms, SBI and Rakuten, are getting ready to offer investment products that allow customers to invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum directly.

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) May 17, 2026

Rakuten Securities is expanding its services, much like its Rakuten Investment Management division. They aim to let customers buy and sell these products directly through their mobile apps, mirroring the convenience of current cryptocurrency trading.

Since both companies already operate established and authorized trading platforms, they mostly have the necessary systems and approvals ready to go.

This positive trend suggests that regulations are becoming more defined. A recent Nikkei survey of 18 companies revealed that 11 more, such as Nomura, Daiwa, and Mizuho Securities, are planning to participate once the complete regulatory rules are established.

That response shows broad interest from TradFi, even before the rules are complete.

Nomura and Daiwa are preparing to offer crypto trusts as soon as regulations are established. SMBC Group has created a team to explore the possibilities, and Mizuho’s Asset Management One has already begun initial research into the area.

Japan’s financial regulator, the Financial Services Agency, is considering new rules that would allow investment trusts and ETFs to include cryptocurrencies in their portfolios. This change would be made under the existing Investment Trust Act.

Analysts predict that exchange-traded funds (ETFs) holding actual cryptocurrencies might be approved by 2028, potentially creating a market worth approximately $6.4 billion.

This change is part of a larger move in policy. Japan has recently recognized cryptocurrency as a financial asset, which means it will now be subject to stricter regulations.

These rules, like yearly reporting and limits on insider trading, are making digital assets more similar to traditional investments that are regulated by the government.

What This Means for Investors and the Market

This trend aligns with what we’ve seen globally. After the successful launch of Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. earlier in 2024 – which now manage billions of dollars – Hong Kong quickly followed suit with its own Bitcoin and Ethereum investment products.

Japan now wants to bring crypto closer to its mainstream wealth management industry.

This means individual investors will continue to have the same safeguards for keeping their assets safe, receiving clear information, and understanding how things work – all provided by the well-known financial companies they already rely on.

This is a convenient advantage for many users. People who already have accounts with SBI or Rakuten can easily start using Bitcoin or Ethereum without needing to create new accounts.

You won’t have to learn how to use new exchanges, and you can feel secure knowing your information is safe on platforms you already trust.

As an analyst, I often explain to clients that while trusts offer a convenient way to invest in Bitcoin, there’s a key trade-off. Essentially, you’re not actually *owning* the Bitcoin itself – the trust holds it for you. This distinction is important to understand.

Using that approach introduces management costs and involves dealing with other parties, which aren’t factors when you own something directly.

Keeping an eye on fees will be important. In the US, competition between companies offering ETFs led to lower costs and wider use of these investments.

As a crypto investor, I’m really watching how Japan’s financial regulator, the FSA, handles applications from exchanges like SBI and Rakuten. Their response speed and the fees these exchanges charge will likely be a big factor in how quickly Japanese investors start getting involved in crypto.

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2026-05-17 22:13