Japan Payment Services Act: Crypto Registration, Custody and 2026 Reform
Japan has one of the longest-running crypto exchange registration systems among major financial markets, but its regulatory structure is changing again in 2026. The Payment Services Act (PSA) remains the current foundation for cryptoasset exchange registration, custody and customer-asset protection. Amendments adopted in 2025 took effect on June 1, 2026, introducing a new intermediary category and additional measures affecting customer assets and stablecoin-related services. A second reform followed only weeks later. On July 15, 2026, Japan enacted amendments to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) and Payment Services Act that are designed to move much of the regulation of cryptoasset trading into the FIEA framework. That later reform has passed, but it has not yet replaced the existing PSA regime as of September 2026. The Financial Services Agencys implementation materials state that the cryptoasset regulatory changes are scheduled to take effect within one year from April 1, 2027. Until the relevant provisions commence, existing PSA registration and custody rules remain operational. That creates a two-layer question for users and businesses: What rules apply to the provider today? and: What will change when the 2026 FIEA reform takes effect? Those questions need to be kept separate.Japans crypto framework is broader than the Payment Services Act The PSA is central, but it









