Japanese Financial Leaders Push for Bitcoin and Ethereum-Focused ETFs

A group of leading Japanese firms is urging regulators to prioritize crypto ETFs centered around major digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

This recommendation, which involves financial giants such as Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking, Nomura, Daiwa Securities, and the country’s top crypto exchange bitFlyer, highlights the stable, large-cap nature of these tokens as appealing for long-term investors.

The coalition’s report, released Friday, also calls for a revised tax framework on crypto, specifically advocating for separate tax treatment for income from digital assets. This push aligns with Japan’s ongoing assessment of international regulatory shifts to determine its own stance on crypto ETFs.

The momentum for digital assets in Japan has been steadily increasing, marked by Metaplanet’s decision to adopt Bitcoin as a strategic reserve, seen as a hedge against Japan’s debt risks and yen volatility.

Holding around 855 Bitcoin (worth approximately $56 million), Metaplanet is also analyzing the impact of its BTC holdings on shareholder value using MicroStrategy’s BTC Yield strategy.