Japan To Recognize Foreign Stablecoins As Electronic Payment Instruments Starting June 1
Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) will officially recognize certain foreign trust-issued stablecoins as "electronic payment instruments" under its Payment Services Act, effective June 1, 2026. This amendment excludes qualifying foreign stablecoins from being classified as securities, allowing domestic licensed operators to handle them.
To qualify, foreign issuers must be licensed under laws equivalent to Japan's, cooperate with FSA oversight, manage reserve assets under foreign law with proper audits, maintain anti-crime systems, and ensure the stablecoin and its reserves are in the same currency. Eligibility for reliable redemption at face value will be assessed case-by-case.
This move expands Japan's stablecoin regulatory framework established in 2022, part of broader efforts to regulate crypto assets. Recent steps include classifying crypto as financial instruments, proposing a 20% flat tax on crypto income, and issuing joint guidance for crypto use in real estate transactions, emphasizing KYC and anti-money laundering checks.
bitcoinist05/20 11:08
