Is Uphold available in Japan?
Uphold does not open new accounts for residents of Japan. Its own list of jurisdictions it does not support, last updated 12 May 2026, places Japan among the locations where it cannot onboard new customers. Crypto itself is legal in Japan and is supervised by the Financial Services Agency.
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 26 June 2026, Uphold does not open new accounts for residents of Japan. Upholds own list of jurisdictions it does not support, last updated 12 May 2026, places Japan among the countries where it cannot onboard new customers, and it warns that existing customers in those locations may have limited access. Owning and trading crypto is itself legal in Japan under the oversight of the Financial Services Agency, so residents who want a platform should compare services that genuinely serve Japan and verify the current position before acting.
Availability for residents of Japan
As of 26 June 2026, Uphold is not available to new customers in Japan. On its published list of jurisdictions it does not support, last updated 12 May 2026, Uphold lists Japan among the locations where it is unable to offer new accounts. Uphold also states that current customers in restricted locations may find their access limited and may be asked to close their accounts.
This is a platform level decision by Uphold, not a ban on crypto by Japan. The financial regulator in Japan is the Financial Services Agency (FSA), and crypto exchange service providers that serve Japanese residents must register with the FSA under the Payment Services Act. Several domestic and international platforms hold that registration, but Uphold is not currently offering accounts to the market.
Because availability can change as a platform adds or removes registrations, treat this status as accurate as of 26 June 2026 and confirm it directly on Upholds jurisdiction page before relying on it. Residents who want to use a regulated platform today should compare exchanges that genuinely serve Japan.
What residents of Japan can do
Since Uphold does not onboard new customers in Japan, residents looking for a custodial exchange should focus on platforms that hold registration with the Financial Services Agency under the Payment Services Act. The Japan best exchanges page lists platforms reported to serve residents, and the Japan crypto rules page explains the licensing picture in more detail.
Trying to bypass a geographic restriction, for example by using a virtual private network or a foreign address, can breach a platforms terms of service and can put funds and account access at risk. The safer route is to use a platform that is authorised to serve Japan and to verify its registration on the official register.
How crypto is taxed in Japan
Crypto is taxed in Japan. As of 26 June 2026, the National Tax Agency (NTA) generally treats gains from crypto as miscellaneous income for individuals, which is taxed at progressive personal income tax rates rather than a flat capital gains rate. The exact treatment depends on your total income and personal circumstances.
Tax rules and thresholds change and depend on your situation, so confirm the current treatment with the National Tax Agency or a qualified tax professional. This is general information, not tax advice (as of 26 June 2026).
Uphold does not open new accounts in Japan as of 26 June 2026, so we do not link to it for this country. To find platforms that genuinely serve residents, see the pages below and verify each platforms status before signing up.
Regulator and sources
The lead authority for crypto in Japan is the Financial Services Agency (FSA). The availability position on this page comes from Upholds own jurisdiction list and is stated as of 26 June 2026. Confirm it on the primary sources below.
- Uphold, published list of jurisdictions it does not support, last updated 12 May 2026.
- Financial Services Agency (FSA), registration of crypto asset exchange service providers under the Payment Services Act.
- National Tax Agency (NTA), guidance on the taxation of crypto assets for individuals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Uphold available in Japan?
As of 26 June 2026, Uphold is not available to new customers in Japan. Upholds list of jurisdictions it does not support, last updated 12 May 2026, places Japan among the locations where it cannot open new accounts, and existing customers there may have limited access.
Can I open a new Uphold account in Japan?
No. As of 26 June 2026, Uphold states that it cannot offer new accounts to residents of Japan. The safer route is to use a platform that is set up to serve Japan and to verify its status before signing up.
Is crypto legal in Japan?
Yes. Holding and trading crypto is legal in Japan, supervised by the Financial Services Agency. The restriction on this page is about the Uphold platform, not about whether owning crypto is allowed (as of 26 June 2026).
Who regulates crypto in Japan?
The lead authority is the Financial Services Agency (FSA). It sets the rules that crypto platforms serving Japan are expected to follow (as of 26 June 2026).
How is crypto taxed in Japan?
As of 26 June 2026, the National Tax Agency (NTA) oversees the taxation of crypto for residents. Treatment depends on your circumstances, so confirm the current position with the tax authority or a qualified professional. This is general information, not tax advice.
How can I confirm Upholds current status for Japan?
Check Upholds own published list of jurisdictions it does not support, which is dated and updated, and contact Uphold support. Those primary sources are the most current way to confirm availability before acting.
Rules change frequently. Exchange availability can change at short notice, and a platform that does not serve Japan today may open or close access in future. The position on this page is dated 26 June 2026 and is based on Upholds own jurisdiction list. Confirm the current status with Uphold and the Financial Services Agency before you act.
Related pages
Subscribe to The Compliance Ledger
One short email when a rule or an exchange status shifts where it matters to you. No noise, no hype.