Japan's crypto regulator plans to ease token listing rules: Bloomberg

Quick Take

  • The Japan Virtual and Crypto assets Exchange Association (JVCEA) plans to ease token listing for exchanges, according to Bloomberg. 
  • This would mean that exchanges would list tokens without the current lengthy screening process, which would cut this down to two weeks. 

Japan's cryptocurrency regulator plans to relax rules pertaining to the listing of coins and tokens. 

Currently, cryptocurrency exchanges that want to list coins or tokens must have them screened by the Japan Virtual and Crypto assets Exchange Association (JVCEA). Moreover, just over 50 crypto assets are allowed to be traded in Japan, per its regulatory rules. 

According to documents seen by Bloomberg, the JVCEA plans to allow exchanges to list tokens without going through this lengthy process. It also said that the relaxed rules could come into effect as early as December, with the documents already being distributed to member firms. 

Bloomberg spoke to Vice Chairman of the JVCEA Genki Oda who confirmed these documents. He also said that it could scrap pre-screenings for Japan's new coins by March 2024, as well as for tokens issued through ICOs.

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Once the JVCEA's planned measure on relaxing token screening comes into place, exchanges should be able to list tokens within 30 days of reporting their listing plan and coin assessments, with this being shortened to within two weeks from April, continued Oda. 

The regulatory relaxation follows recent moves in the country's cryptocurrency space. Last week, a web3 developer platform raised $15.5 million to expand to Japan, citing its regulatory clarity. Binance is also said to be seeking a license in the country, with rival firm FTX launching services for its Japanese customers in June. 


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About Author

Tom is a deals reporter at The Block covering venture capital, fundraises, fintech and M&A. Before joining, he was an editorial intern at the FT-backed platform Sifted where he reported on neobanks, payment firms and blockchain startups. You can reach him by email at [email protected] or Telegram @tommatsuda.