Analysis
Japan Moves Crypto Into Securities Law: The 2026 FIEA Amendment and Its Dates
The Act passed in July 2026 moves crypto-asset trading from the Payment Services Act to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. What is in force and what is still to come.
The short version: Japan's Diet enacted an amendment to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) and the Payment Services Act on 15 Jul 2026. It moves the regulation of crypto-asset trading from the Payment Services Act to the FIEA (FSA, outline). Two parts took effect on 12 Aug 2026: higher penalties for unregistered business and criminal-investigation powers for the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (FSA). The main provisions take effect on a date set by Cabinet Order within one year of promulgation; by our calculation, no later than 22 Jul 2027.
The Dates
- 10 Apr 2026: the government submits the bill to the 221st Diet (FSA).
- 15 Jul 2026: the Diet enacts it.
- 12 Aug 2026: provisions on penalties and SESC powers in force, “20 days after promulgation” (FSA).
- By 22 Jul 2027: the rest, under Supplementary Provisions article 1 (Act text). Promulgation on 23 July 2026 is derived from the FSA's 20-day count; the Cabinet Order date has not been announced.
Who It Affects
The 27 companies registered today as crypto-asset exchange service providers under the Payment Services Act (register). This tracker does not yet show how each will be treated under the FIEA; we will add that when the FSA publishes the transition rules.
Sources
- FSA, 221st Diet bills www.fsa.go.jp
- FSA bill outline www.fsa.go.jp
- FSA, 29 July 2026 www.fsa.go.jp
- Act text www.fsa.go.jp