Japan's 20% flat crypto tax bill passes Lower House, heads to Upper

Japan's Lower House passed a bill on June 11 that reclassifies digital assets as financial instruments and cuts the top crypto capital gains tax rate from 55% to a flat 20%. The legislation now heads to the Upper House, where passage is considered a formality given the ruling party's majority.

The new tax rate takes effect in 2028. The bill also introduces loss carryforward provisions, allowing investors to offset prior losses against future gains. That feature is absent under the current progressive system.

Oversight shifts from the Payment Services Act to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, the same framework that governs stocks and bonds. The reclassification brings new disclosure requirements and insider trading rules. Penalties include fines up to ¥10 million and prison sentences of up to ten years for unregistered trading.

With digital assets now classified as financial instruments, Japan Exchange Group could list crypto ETFs as early as 2027. The country already has more than 13 million crypto accounts, roughly 70% of which hold less than ¥7 million (about $43,600).

Japan's 55% peak rate has long been cited by traders as a reason domestic trading volumes have not matched the country's tech adoption. A 35-percentage-point cut brings crypto tax treatment in line with equities, removing a major disincentive for investors. Bitcoin and other major tokens would benefit from the improved regulatory environment and potential ETF access.

The bill's political path is clear. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party controls both chambers of parliament, making Upper House approval a procedural step. The vote is expected in coming weeks.

If enacted, the lower tax rate and ETF pathway would give Japan one of the most competitive crypto regimes among major economies. The timeline is explicit: ETFs by 2027, tax relief by 2028. For broader context on how regulatory clarity drives capital flows, see our crypto market analysis.