Is Monero legal in Japan?
Legal to own, but registered Japanese exchanges have not offered XMR since 2018.
| Owning XMR | Legal |
|---|---|
| Local exchanges | Delisted by licensed exchanges |
| National rule | Exchanges barred from privacy coins |
| Regulator | Financial Services Agency (FSA); JVCEA (self-regulatory body) |
| Last reviewed | 25 October 2026 |
The legal situation in Japan
Japan was the first major market to push privacy coins off licensed exchanges. In 2018 the FSA was reported to be pressing registered exchanges to drop anonymity-enhancing coins, and Coincheck delisted XMR, ZEC and DASH by June 2018. Licensed Japanese exchanges have not offered XMR since, and in July 2026 crypto was moved under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Holding XMR privately is not illegal.
Key facts
- 2018-04-30: FSA reported to be pressuring exchanges to delist anonymous coins, acting informally rather than by statute.
- 2018-06-18: Coincheck completed delisting of XMR, DASH, ZEC and REP.
- 2026-07-15: Parliament enacted a revision of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act that regulates crypto assets like securities, including insider-trading rules.
- 2026-03-05: CCN lists Japan's 2018 FSA requirement as the first national privacy-coin exchange restriction and says licensed exchanges remain barred from privacy coins.
- Tax: Gains are taxed as miscellaneous income at up to 55%; a proposed flat 20% rate for approved tokens is pending.
What this means for you
Owning Monero in your own wallet is legal, but regulated exchanges here do not list it or are being pushed to drop it. If you hold XMR on an exchange, read what to do when an exchange delists Monero and move it to a wallet you control. Only use buying routes that are legal where you live; see how to buy Monero.
Sources
bitcoin.tax, bitcoinist.com, ccn.com, cointelegraph.com, english.adnkronos.com, financemagnates.com.
Sources are listed by publisher so you can look them up yourself; we do not link out.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Check the regulator's own website before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Monero legal in Japan?
Legal to own, but registered Japanese exchanges have not offered XMR since 2018.
Can I buy Monero on a local exchange in Japan?
No. Licensed exchanges here have delisted XMR or may not list it.