Japan’s regulators are adopting a conservative approach toward spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs), in contrast to the more open policies seen in the U.S. and Hong Kong, according to Oki Shiozawa, investment director at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management.
Meanwhile, Keisuke Kimura, the vice-president of the Japan Cryptoasset Business Association, explained that the cautious approach is due to “regulatory limitations” and the public’s wary perception of cryptocurrencies, largely shaped by past scandals like Mt. Gox and DMM. These incidents led to significant investor losses, and the aftermath continues to influence public sentiment toward digital assets.
Kimura highlighted that Japan’s laws currently do not permit the inclusion of crypto assets in investment trusts, including ETFs, creating a regulatory barrier.
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