Is Kraken available in Japan?
Kraken ceased its Japanese operations and deregistered through its Payward Asia entity with effect from 31 January 2023. As of June 2026 we cannot confirm that Kraken has resumed a registered retail service for Japanese residents. Some reports describe a planned return, but the position is unclear, so verify it with the Financial Services Agency register and Kraken before acting.
Information, not advice. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify the current rules with a qualified local professional and the official regulator before acting.
How we checked this. We set this status by reading the platform's own terms of use and country eligibility, and the public register kept by the named regulator, then dated the result. Availability can change, so confirm directly with the platform and the regulator before acting. As of 26 June 2026.
As of June 2026, the position of Kraken in Japan is unclear and we treat it as not currently available. Kraken ran a Japanese service through its Tokyo entity Payward Asia after registering in 2020, then announced it would cease Japanese operations and deregister with effect from 31 January 2023. Some secondary reports describe Payward restructuring and seeking to return to the Japanese market, but we have not confirmed an active registered retail service for residents as of June 2026. Because availability is contested, verify it directly with the Financial Services Agency register and Kraken before acting.
Availability for Japanese residents
As of 20 June 2026, we cannot confirm that Kraken is offering a registered crypto exchange service to residents of Japan. Kraken registered as a crypto asset exchange service provider through its Tokyo subsidiary Payward Asia in 2020 and offered spot trading in a small set of assets with Japanese yen funding. It then announced that it would close its Japanese operations and deregister, with the exit taking effect on 31 January 2023.
Japan regulates crypto exchanges under the Payment Services Act, and only entities on the Financial Services Agency (FSA) register may serve residents. Some secondary reports in 2025 and 2026 describe Payward restructuring its Japanese operations and working toward a return, but we have not been able to confirm an active registration and live retail service for Japanese residents from primary sources.
Given that the reports point to a return that we cannot confirm as live, we treat Kraken in Japan as not currently available and flag the position as unclear. The reliable way to settle this is to check the FSA register of crypto asset exchange service providers and Kraken's own statements for Japan.
What this means for users in Japan
Because we cannot confirm an active registered Kraken service for Japan, this page does not link a Kraken signup for Japanese residents. We do not link an affiliate for a platform whose availability to a country we cannot confirm.
Residents of Japan who want to use a platform now can look to exchanges that currently hold Financial Services Agency registration. Confirm that an exchange appears on the current FSA register before funding an account, and recheck Kraken's status directly if you are waiting on its return.
How crypto is taxed in Japan
Japan currently taxes crypto gains for individuals as miscellaneous income under the rules administered by the National Tax Agency (NTA). Progressive rates combined with inhabitant tax can reach roughly 55 percent at the highest band. A 2026 Tax Reform Outline released on 19 December 2025 proposes a separate flat rate of about 20 percent on specified crypto assets and a three year loss carryforward, but that change depends on legislation and is not yet in force.
Treatment depends on personal circumstances and the framework is changing, so confirm the current position with the National Tax Agency or a qualified professional. See the Japan crypto tax page. This is general information, not tax advice (as of 20 June 2026).
Kraken's availability to residents of Japan is unclear and we treat it as not currently available, so this page does not link a Kraken signup. Crypto exchanges that hold Financial Services Agency registration do serve Japanese residents, and you can compare the platforms that are genuinely available in Japan below.
Regulator and sources
The Japanese regulator is the Financial Services Agency (FSA), which publishes the register of crypto asset exchange service providers. The position below is stated as of 20 June 2026 and should be confirmed on the primary sources.
- Kraken, notice that it would cease crypto asset exchange operations in Japan through Payward Asia with effect from 31 January 2023.
- Kraken blog, the 2020 registration of Payward Asia as a crypto asset exchange service provider under the Payment Services Act.
- Financial Services Agency (FSA), List of Registered Crypto Asset Exchange Service Providers, the authoritative check for a current registration.
- Secondary reports describing Payward restructuring and a possible return to the Japanese market, which we have not confirmed as a live retail service.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kraken available in Japan?
As of 20 June 2026, the position is unclear and we treat Kraken as not currently available to residents of Japan. Kraken closed its Japanese operations with effect from 31 January 2023 and we cannot confirm a resumed registered retail service.
Did Kraken operate in Japan before?
Yes. Kraken registered through its Tokyo subsidiary Payward Asia in 2020 and offered spot trading with Japanese yen funding, then announced it would deregister and exit, effective 31 January 2023.
Is Kraken returning to Japan?
Some secondary reports describe Payward restructuring and working toward a return, but we have not confirmed an active registration and live retail service from primary sources. Check the Financial Services Agency register and Kraken directly for the current position.
Can residents of Japan use crypto exchanges at all?
Yes. Buying, holding, and selling crypto is legal in Japan through exchanges registered with the Financial Services Agency under the Payment Services Act. Several registered platforms serve Japanese residents.
How are crypto gains taxed in Japan?
Japan currently taxes crypto gains as miscellaneous income, with rates that can reach about 55 percent combined with inhabitant tax, administered by the National Tax Agency. A proposed reform would move specified crypto assets to a flat rate near 20 percent, subject to legislation. See the Japan crypto tax page. This is general information, not tax advice.
Rules change frequently. Exchange availability can change at short notice, and Kraken's Japanese position is contested, with a reported return that we cannot confirm as live. The position on this page is dated 20 June 2026. Confirm the current status with the Financial Services Agency register and Kraken before you act.
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