Bitget is exiting Japan after repeated regulatory warnings, ending new registrations immediately and introducing phased account restrictions before automatically closing remaining positions after Dec. 31, 2026.
Bitget is withdrawing from the Japanese cryptocurrency market after years of regulatory scrutiny, ending new account registrations for residents immediately and introducing phased account restrictions later this year. Existing users will face mandatory verification requirements, while any open positions remaining after Dec. 31, 2026, will be closed automatically.
The move follows repeated warnings from Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) over Bitget’s unregistered crypto operations. As reported by crypto.news, the exchange is opting to exit the market rather than pursue local licensing.
Bitget Sets Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 Deadlines for Japan Exit
Bitget announced on Aug. 3 that it has stopped accepting new account registrations from residents of Japan with immediate effect. According to the company’s withdrawal plan, existing accounts identified as belonging to Japanese residents will begin facing phased restrictions from Nov. 1, 2026, while any trading positions still open on Dec. 31, 2026, will be closed automatically.
Users who believe they were incorrectly classified as Japanese residents must complete Level 2 Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, including proof of address, before the Nov. 1 deadline to avoid restrictions. The exchange said affected customers will receive email instructions explaining how to withdraw or manage their assets before services are terminated. The timeline was first reported by crypto.news following Bitget’s announcement.
Bitget Exit Highlights Japan’s Tough Licensing Regime
The announcement did not trigger significant volatility across major cryptocurrency markets, as investors largely viewed Bitget’s withAnalysts drawal as a regulatory compliance decision rather than an event affecting crypto fundamentals. Instead, attention centered on Japan’s increasingly strict oversight of overseas exchanges. noted that Bitget’s decision reflects the growing cost of operating without local authorization in regulated jurisdictions, with exchanges increasingly choosing to exit markets instead of pursuing lengthy licensing processes. Similar regulatory pressure has previously led other offshore exchanges, including Bybit, to scale back services in Japan.
Japan’s FSA Issued Multiple Warnings Before Bitget’s Exit
Bitget’s withdrawal follows several years of regulatory scrutiny. Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) first warned the exchange in March 2023 for allegedly providing cryptocurrency trading services to Japanese residents without obtaining the required registration. The regulator repeated its warning in November 2024, stating that Bitget continued operating without authorization.
Regulatory pressure intensified again in June 2025, when the Kanto Local Finance Bureau, part of Japan’s Ministry of Finance, warned BTG Technology Holdings Limited, identified as operating under the Bitget brand, for allegedly soliciting over-the-counter crypto derivatives transactions without registration. Rather than applying for a domestic license, Bitget has now chosen to withdraw from Japan altogether.
The move also reflects Bitget’s broader regulatory strategy. In July 2026, the exchange confirmed that Singapore remains a prohibited jurisdiction because it is not licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). At the same time, Bitget has expanded in markets where it has pursued regulatory approvals.
Last month, the company registered on New Zealand’s Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) across multiple financial service categories and joined the country’s Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman dispute resolution scheme. However, New Zealand authorities have clarified that FSPR registration alone does not constitute government approval or active prudential supervision. Bitget CEO Gracy Chen has previously said the company intends to continue obtaining local regulatory approvals as it expands internationally.
Bitget Continues Global Expansion Outside Restricted Markets
Although Bitget is leaving Japan, the exchange continues pursuing expansion in jurisdictions where it plans to obtain regulatory approval. According to previous company statements reported by crypto.news, Bitget intends to establish a separate U.S. entity and secure money-transmitter, broker-dealer and derivatives licenses before launching services in the United States, regardless of future U.S. crypto legislation.
The company is also expanding its tokenized investment offerings, with CEO Gracy Chen previously stating that tokenized traditional assets accounted for 20% to 30% of Bitget’s spot trading volume during the previous quarter, while more than half of Bitget users held both cryptocurrencies and stocks. Going forward, investors are expected to watch whether the exchange continues balancing global expansion with stricter regulatory compliance across major financial markets.