Key Insights:
- Crypto news: SBI and Rakuten are preparing regulated crypto trust products.
- Bitcoin and Ethereum may anchor Japan’s first retail-focused fund exposure.
- Japan’s FSA aims to formalize crypto fund rules by 2028.
Japanese brokerages SBI Securities and Rakuten Securities are preparing crypto investment products tied to Bitcoin and Ethereum as regulators move closer to approving broader digital asset fund structures.
The planned offerings would give retail investors crypto exposure through traditional brokerage accounts rather than standalone exchanges or self-custody wallets.
Bitcoin traded near $78,017 on May 17, while Ethereum held around $2,182 as institutional demand remained focused on large-cap digital assets.
SBI and Rakuten Expand Crypto Investment Access
SBI Securities plans to distribute products developed through SBI Global Asset Management. Rakuten Securities is preparing a similar structure through its investment division.
Early products are expected to focus on Bitcoin and Ethereum because both assets maintain deeper liquidity and stronger institutional demand than most alternative tokens.
The strategy allows brokerages to offer crypto exposure directly inside existing securities platforms. That removes several barriers for retail investors who still avoid crypto exchanges due to custody concerns and operational complexity.
Nikkei reported that Nomura and Daiwa are also evaluating digital asset fund products, while SMBC Group has formed an internal working group focused on crypto investment structures.
Asset Management One has reportedly begun internal research amid accelerating competition among Japan’s largest financial firms ahead of expected regulatory reforms.
A Nikkei survey of 18 financial companies found that 11 firms would consider crypto investment products once regulators finalize the legal framework.
The response suggests traditional finance firms increasingly view digital assets as a long-term product category rather than a speculative niche.
SBI and Rakuten Build Access Around Bitcoin and Ethereum
The planned funds could change how ordinary investors approach the asset class. Many retail users still need crypto exchange accounts, wallet knowledge, and direct custody decisions. A brokerage product would remove some operational steps, although market risk would remain unchanged.
Bitcoin and Ethereum are logical starting points because they offer deeper liquidity than most tokens. The bitcoin price remains a key benchmark for broader risk appetite. The Ethereum price also matters because Ether remains central to smart contract activity and institutional product demand.
For brokerages, the products offer a distribution advantage. SBI and Rakuten already serve large retail investor bases through securities accounts. They can add crypto exposure without asking customers to leave their existing platforms.
The structure may also support investors who want crypto exposure without managing private keys. That matters in Japan, where investor protection and custody standards remain central regulatory themes. However, these products still depend on final rules before any public launch.
Crypto News Links 2028 Rules to Wider Retail Access
Japan’s Financial Services Agency is moving toward a clearer legal path for crypto funds. The agency aims to revise the Investment Trust Act by 2028 so investment trusts can include cryptocurrencies as eligible assets. That change would create the foundation for crypto funds and possible spot ETFs.
Japan has also advanced broader crypto market reforms. The Cabinet on April 10, 2026, approved a law that will revise the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and the Payment Services Act. The proposal seeks to change the paradigm for crypto asset markets in terms of fairness, transparency, and investor protection.
The bill would bring crypto nearer to becoming a financial product. Reports say it would add stricter conduct rules, disclosure requirements, and limits on insider trading. If lawmakers pass it, implementation could begin in fiscal 2027.
Global ETF growth adds pressure to Japan’s timeline. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have already built more than $100 billion in total net assets during 2026. That scale gives Japanese brokerages a clear model for regulated demand through familiar investment channels.
Japan’s market may still move carefully because product approval, tax treatment, and custody rules remain important. Yet the direction is clear. Crypto news from Tokyo now points to a brokerage-led phase, with SBI, Rakuten, Nomura, Daiwa, SMBC, and Mizuho-linked firms preparing ahead of formal rules.
