Japan is the most pro-crypto of the world's major economies and has been steadily developing a related regulatory regime for years. In 2017, Japan amended its Payment Services Act, legalizing digital currency as a form of payment, and introduced a registration system for crypto exchanges, helping to bring digital assets into the country's mainstream financial system. Japan has issued 22 cryptocurrency licenses since 2017.
Underscoring Japan's appeal as a crypto hub in Asia, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said in October that the company would consider the country as a new location for for its headquarters. adding that "Japan is one of our fastest-growing markets."
In December, Japan's SBI Group - Ripple's largest external investor - acquired London-based B2C2, one of the world's top crypto traders. B2C2 helps brokerages, exchanges and fund managers make large trades in digital currency. The acquisition follows SBI taking a minority stake in B2C2 in July. The deal will allow SBI to become the first major financial group to run a digital asset dealing desk.
Since the initial July tie-up, daily volumes on SBI's digital exchange have risen tenfold and B2C2's OTC volumes have increased fourfold, according to a press release. Looking ahead, the two firms may expand into crypto options and derivatives. SBI clients may also borrow and lend virtual currencies on B2C2's electronic funding platform.
"This is about Japan's future," Phillip Gillespie, CEO of B2C2, told Nikkei Asian Revew in December. In order to attract business back to Japan, you either lower tax rates or embrace a new asset class."