Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has granted operational licenses to 11 virtual currency exchanges, marking a significant milestone in the country’s regulated crypto market. These platforms are authorized to trade major cryptocurrencies like BTC, BCH, XRP, and LTC, with a focus on stability and user protection. Below, we explore each exchange’s background, services, and unique offerings.
1. Money Partners
- Parent Company: Money Partners Group (est. 2005).
- Services: FX margin trading, financial systems development.
- Key Feature: Serves both individual investors and institutional clients with proprietary trading systems.
2. QUOINE
- Headquarters: Singapore, Japan, Vietnam.
- Specialization: Advanced blockchain-based trading with JPY/USD Bitcoin pairs.
- Claim: "World’s most sophisticated crypto exchange" with zero-fee trades.
3. BitFlyer
- Global Rank: Third-largest crypto exchange by volume.
- Market Share: Handles 29% of Bitcoin trades in Japan.
- Focus: High liquidity and security compliance.
4. Bitbank
- Founded: 2014.
- Primary Role: Dedicated virtual currency trading platform.
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5. SBI Virtual Currencies
- Parent: SBI Group (Asia’s largest fintech conglomerate).
- Launch: 2016.
- Offerings: Bitcoin trading with institutional-grade infrastructure.
6. GMO Coin
- Backing: Subsidiary of GMO Internet (Japan’s top web services firm).
- Services: Crypto trading leveraging parent company’s tech expertise.
7. Bittrade
- Niche: Bitcoin-only exchange since 2016.
8. BTCBOX
- Investor: Publicly traded Jtrust (¥200M investment).
- Legacy: Japan’s first post-Mt. Gox exchange; favored by professional traders.
9. BitPoint
- Partnership: Collaborates with Nippon Pay for crypto payment solutions.
- Target: Mainstream adoption via integrations with Chinese payment apps.
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10. FISCO
- Parent: JASDAQ-listed FISCO Ltd. (financial analytics since 1995).
- Edge: Zero-fee trading model backed by real-time market data.
11. Tech Bureau Corp
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FAQs
Q1: Which Japanese exchange has the highest trading volume?
A1: BitFlyer dominates with ~29% of Japan’s Bitcoin trades.
Q2: Are ICO tokens listed on these platforms?
A2: No—exchanges prioritize established coins to mitigate risks.
Q3: Which exchange offers zero fees?
A3: QUOINE and FISCO provide commission-free trading.
Key Takeaways
- Regulation: All 11 platforms comply with Japan’s strict FSA guidelines.
- Coins Traded: Primarily BTC, BCH, XRP, LTC.
- Trend: Institutional involvement (e.g., SBI, GMO) boosts credibility.
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