Bitget Becomes Latest Crypto Exchange to Leave Japan After FSA Warning, Giving Users Until End of 2026 to Move Assets

Bitget is pulling out of Japan, ending access for local users after years of regulatory pressure from the country's financial watchdog.

The move will gradually restrict existing accounts while giving affected customers only a limited window to verify their residency or move their assets elsewhere.

Bitget Ends Japan Services After Regulatory Review

Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange Bitget announced it will stop serving residents of Japan, citing compliance requirements and Japan's regulatory framework.

The company has already stopped accepting new account registrations from Japan residents, with the changes taking effect immediately.

In a notice shared through its official X account, Bitget said the withdrawal is part of its commitment to meeting regulatory obligations.

It stated that further details on the transition have been published on a dedicated support page, while affected users will receive individual instructions by email as the process moves forward.

The exchange did not identify a specific new regulatory action behind the move, but the withdrawal follows years of increased scrutiny from Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) over unregistered overseas crypto platforms.

How Will Existing Japan Users Be Affected

Current users whose accounts may belong to Japan residents have until 1 November 2026 to complete Level 2 identity verification (KYC2), including submitting proof of address if they believe they are not subject to the restrictions.

Accounts that do not complete the verification process by the deadline will automatically be treated as Japan resident accounts.

From 1 November 2026, Bitget will begin applying restrictions to those accounts in stages.

Any remaining open positions that are still active after 31 December 2026 will be forcibly liquidated.

The company said account-specific instructions, including withdrawal guidance where applicable, will be sent directly to affected users by email.

Bitget has not announced any impact on customers outside Japan.

Japan Continues Tightening Rules For Overseas Crypto Exchanges

Japan requires cryptocurrency exchanges serving domestic users to register with the Financial Services Agency under the country's Payment Services Act.

The framework includes strict requirements covering licensing, customer protection, custody of assets and anti-money laundering compliance.

Bitget had already been on the regulator's radar before announcing its exit.

On 28 November 2024, Japan's FSA issued warning letters to Bitget Limited and several other overseas exchanges, including KuCoin, MEXC Global and Bybit, for offering crypto asset exchange services to Japanese residents without registration.

Regulatory enforcement continued after the warnings.

Following requests by the FSA, Apple and Google removed apps operated by unregistered exchanges, including Bitget, from Japan's app stores, further limiting access for local users.

Another Overseas Exchange Leaves The Japanese Market

Bitget is not the first overseas exchange to withdraw from Japan after regulatory action.

Bybit also exited the market following similar warnings from the FSA, highlighting the growing compliance burden facing foreign cryptocurrency platforms seeking to serve Japanese customers.

Founded in 2018, Bitget operates in more than 120 countries and regions and is widely known for its derivatives and copy trading services.

The company previously reported serving more than 100 million users across Bitget and Bitget Wallet, although it has not disclosed how many customers were based in Japan or how much trading activity came from the country.

With Bitget ending its services, affected users in Japan will need to transfer their assets or migrate to crypto exchanges that are authorised to operate under Japan's regulatory framework.