8 Best Crypto Exchanges and Platforms in Japan – Top List Compared

To help Japanese traders find the best and reliable crypto exchanges in Japan, we analyzed over 20 platforms and shortlisted the ones that meet Japan’s strict compliance requirements. Each platform in our list was selected using CoinGape’s review methodology, which evaluates –

• Regulatory compliance under Japanese law
• JPY deposit and withdrawal support
• Fees and trading costs
• Asset selection for spot and futures
• Security 
• Overall platform usability for beginners and active traders

This approach helps you understand and choose the best crypto exchange for investing in Japan. Below are the best platforms reviewed in detail.

If you’re just starting out in crypto in Japan, Bitflyer is one of the best places to begin. It offers a good combination of cheap fees and support for the major cryptocurrencies you’ll need as a beginner. According to their fee page, BitFlyer offers free market trading and tier-based Lightning Spot fees starting at 0.15%, and as low as 0.1%. 

There’s also deep liquidity in the BTC/JPY pair. You can trade 39+ crypto assets, which is lower than most exchanges but good enough for beginners. BitFlyer is fully licensed in Japan, which makes it safe to use from a legal standpoint. You can fund your account via bank transfers, internet banking and convenience stores. 

Japanese traders can easily trade over 35+ crypto assets across multiple chains on Bitbank. The platform offers full JPY deposits and withdrawals, and negative maker fees of -0.02%. 

Bitbank stands out as one of the top crypto exchanges in Japan thanks to its fast order execution and good APIs for algorithmic trading. Bitbank also holds an FSA license, making it legal in Japan.

Coincheck is another FSA-licensed exchange in Japan. We recommend it because it is one of the best low-fee crypto exchanges in Japan, especially for beginners. In terms of crypto assets, you can trade over 40+ cryptocurrencies with JPY deposits and withdrawals. 

Coincheck supports multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers, convenience stores and quick deposits. You can trade from as low as 500 JPY, with low or zero maker/taker fees for most assets. As an added advantage, Coincheck announced automatic ETH rewards for users who deposit ETH with Coincheck. 

GMO Coins supports around 21+ cryptocurrencies and 14 FX-style pairs. You can also access instant JOY deposits and zero-fee withdrawals. The platform’s spot trading comes with negative fees for makers (-0.01%), while leverage and crypto FX provide high flexibility.

GMO Coin also offers automated trading via API. Beyond buying and selling crypto, Japanese traders can access other services such as staking, lending (up to 15% APR) and crypto investment from 500 JPY

With SBI VC, Japanese traders can access services such as spot, savings, staking and NFT trading. SBI VC currently offers 36+ cryptocurrencies for trading, including popular options like XRP, BTC, and ETH, with zero deposit or withdrawal fees.

For spot trading,  makers pay a fee of -0.01% and a taker fee of 0.05%. Trades are free for the sales office. Why do we like SBI VC as a top exchange for Japan? The platform is backed by the SBI Group, providing a really secure environment under Japanese regulations 

Rakuten Wallet might offer only 10 cryptocurrencies and 5 trading pairs, yet, it’s one of he top crypto exchanges in Japan, especially for beginners and Rakuten users. You can convert Rakuten Points into crypto or charge Rakuten Cash from crypto assets for shopping, which is a really flexible feature. The exchange also supports instant JPY deposits and withdrawals via Rakuten Bank. With such strong backing, you can expect good security measures. The exchange uses a multi-approach that includes 2FA for logins, withdrawals and payments. Being licensed under Japanese laws, Rakuten Wallet is a good way to trade crypto, especially within Rakuten’s ecosystem. 

Binance is one of the best crypto exchanges for day traders and has high liquidity globally and in Japan. Binance is the best option if you want deep liquidity and low fees. For Japanese traders, Binance is available via the Binance Japan platform, which is fully compliant with local regulators.

Binance offers 59+ crypto assets for Japanese traders, and a strong 0.1% base fee, which can drop lower to 0.075% with BNB. Binance also offers PayPal integration and multiple trading suites, including spot and earning opportunities. 

Bitget Japan is another regulated platform where traders can access spot, margin and futures trading with more than 140 cryptocurrencies supported. Trading on Bitget Japan comes with several benefits.

For one, you enjoy Bitget Earn, a $587M protection fund, 1:1 reserve proof, and cold storage. Fees on Bitget Japan are among the cheapest, around 0.1%, and can be brought down to 0% if you climb the VIP tiers. Bitget Japan is also generous with its withdrawal limits.

Yes, crypto trading is fully legal in Japan as of 2025. However, Japanese laws strictly require that you trade via licensed platforms. Japan is one of the first nations to regulate digital assets, meaning you stay safe and within legal boundaries when trading with licensed platforms.

In Japan, cryptocurrencies are treated as legal property under the country’s Payment Services Act (PSA). Two key regulatory bodies supervise the market in Japan:

• Financial Services Agency (FSA); Charged with overseeing licensing, security  standards, custody policies and overall operational compliance 
• Japan Virtual Currency Exchange Association (JVCEA): This self-regulatory body largely enforces extra rules on risk management, listing and advertising. 

As we said earlier, crypto trading is legal in Japan, but local laws require you to trade via an exchange licensed by the FSA. Using an unlicensed exchange means you do not enjoy legal safety should things go wrong. Investor protection, recourse mechanisms only apply to residents who transact on licensed platforms in Japan.

Japan has one of the strongest crypto-user protections as of 2025. Here’s what you should know as a Japanese trader

1. Mandatory KYC and AML checks: All licensed platforms require you to provide some form of identification to prevent fraud, scams or illegal transactions. 
2. Strict licensing requirements: Crypto exchangers in Japan must meet capital requirements, separate customer assets from the platform’s. And incorporate strong cybersecurity systems for extra security 
3. High consumer protection: Regulation helps ensure local traders are protected from the exchange failures we’ve seen over the years. Japan requires licensed platforms to implement measures to keep users safe, including cold-wallet storage, proof-of-reserves and strict operational controls
4. Better safety vs unregulated market: Overall, Japan’s framework minimizes risks of hacks, insolvency and mismanagement, making it one of the safest places to trade crypto in the world.

Trading crypto in Japan is pretty easy and straightforward. First,t ensure you use an FSA-licensed platform that complies with Japan’s strict laws. To make it easier for newbies, here’s a detailed step-by-step process for trading crypto in Japan

1. Choose an Exchange with JPY Support and a License – Select an exchange that supports JPY deposits and withdrawals and has registered with the FSA.

2. Complete KYC Verification – Submit the needed identity documents such as your ID, residence card, or passport.

3. Deposit JPY – Use the approved deposit methods such as bank transfer, real-time Rakuten Bank transfer or convenience store deposit, depending on the exchange.

4. Buy Crypto – Get the assets via spot trading or use margin/derivatives if you understand the risks involved.

5. Secure Your Assets – For long-term holding, store the asset in a cold storage or keep the funds in the exchange’s wallet for short-term holding. 

1. Typical Fee Ranges for JPY Deposits and Withdrawals – Japanese exchanges mostly offer free deposits, while withdrawal cost varies by bank but remain under low fixed-fee limits to encourage local adoption. 
2. Spot Trading Fee vs Margin/Derivatives – Spot fees mostly range between 0.01% to 0.15%, while derivatives trading uses a lower maker-taker structure due to high volumes and active traders.
3. Liquidity: Domestic vs Global market – Domestic exchanges serve JPY markets with strict oversight, while global platforms offer deeper liquidity through international order books.
4. Why Liquidity Matters for Japanese Traders – High liquidity reduces slippage. Improves order execution and ensures users can trade at stable rates during large trades or periods of high volatility.

Japan strictly regulates crypto, so traders must observe safe, compliant practices

1. Why Regulation and Licensing Matter?

Licensed exchanges comply with FSA security rules, segregate customer assets and follow strict reporting rules to reduce the risks of fraud and scams. 

2. Exchange Security Measures 

Use platforms that offer cold wallet storage, multi-sig, 2FA, insurance and regular third-party audits for better security.

3. Avoid Scams and Unlicensed Platforms

Trade only on FSA-registered platforms and avoid using offshore crypto exchanges that are not approved in Japan, as they lack investor protection.

Japan offers several top-quality crypto exchanges, but the “best” depends largely on your needs:

• Beginners: Use exchanges with simple apps and clear JOY funding methods. SBI VC Trade and Rakuten Wallet are good options 
• Active Traders: Use platforms with high liquidity and derivatives tools such as GMO Coin or Binance Japan
• Japanese Investors: Use platforms with strong integration with local banks such as Rakuten Wallet, CoinCheck or Bitflyer 
• Low-fee Hunters: Platforms with competitive maker and taker fees like GMO Coin or SBI VC Trade are good options

Overall, only use regulated exchanges with good security features and strong bank integration.