#CryptoRegulation
Japan Making Move Toward a New Era of Crypto Integration
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is considering reforms that could reshape the role of digital assets in its financial system. Reports suggest the regulator may allow domestic banks to both hold cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and operate licensed crypto exchanges.
If approved, this would mark a significant step toward bringing crypto into the mainstream financial sector, not as a fringe investment, but as a recognized part of the economy.
Strengthening Trust and Access
By allowing banks to hold crypto, Japan would give both institutional and retail investors a clear signal that digital assets are maturing. It would also help address one of the biggest barriers to adoption: trust. Customers who may hesitate to use smaller crypto exchanges could soon access Bitcoin and other assets through the same banks they already rely on for savings, payments, and investment services.
Allowing banks to run exchanges would also make crypto more accessible. It means regulated institutions with strong oversight would provide custody, trading, and settlement services under familiar protections.
Why It Matters
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Mainstream adoption: Crypto becomes more accessible when offered through trusted banks.
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Institutional involvement: Banks participating directly opens the door for larger funds and corporations to follow.
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Regulatory clarity: The FSA’s approach could serve as a model for other countries seeking to integrate crypto without compromising oversight.
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Innovation potential: With banks bridging traditional finance and blockchain, new products like tokenized assets and 24/7 trading could emerge faster.
The Big Picture
Japan has long balanced innovation with regulation in digital assets. If these reforms move forward, it would underscore the country’s role as a global leader in building responsible but forward-thinking frameworks for crypto.
This development signals more than just a regulatory update — it reflects growing recognition that digital assets are becoming an integral part of modern finance. By opening the door for banks, Japan is paving the way for broader adoption, stronger trust, and deeper integration of blockchain into everyday economic activity.
Stripe Wants to Be the Backbone of Stablecoins
Stripe, the payments giant, is making a bold move into crypto. Its stablecoin division, Bridge, is applying for a U.S. national trust bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). If approved, Stripe would join companies like Paxos and Anchorage Digital in operating under direct federal oversight — a big step for credibility in the stablecoin world.
But Stripe isn’t just planning to issue a token of its own. It wants to build the rails that let any company create and manage its own stablecoin.
From Payments to Stablecoin Infrastructure
Earlier this year, Stripe acquired Bridge, a startup that provides the tech to issue, move, and manage stablecoins. With that acquisition, Stripe signaled it wasn’t content to just process payments — it wants to power the next wave of digital money.
Now Stripe has announced Open Issuance, a service that lets businesses launch their own stablecoins in days instead of months. The platform handles minting, burning, and managing reserves, while giving issuers flexibility over how their tokens are backed — whether with cash, U.S. Treasuries, or a mix.
Companies that use Open Issuance keep the revenue generated from their reserves, minus a small service fee Stripe charges. Big names in finance, including BlackRock and Fidelity, are reportedly involved as asset managers to help oversee reserves.
Why the OCC Charter Matters
A national trust bank charter would put Stripe under the same regulatory umbrella as traditional banks when it comes to custody and stablecoin reserves.
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One license, not 50. Instead of applying for licenses state by state, Stripe could operate nationally under federal rules.
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Greater trust. Businesses and regulators would see stablecoins issued through Stripe as safer, since they’d be backed by a regulated entity.
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Custody power. Stripe would be able to legally hold reserves and handle settlements directly.
This move also lines up with the GENIUS Act, a U.S. law passed in 2025 to regulate stablecoins. The law requires issuers to operate under banking rules, and Stripe is trying to get ahead of that curve.
A Broader Trend in Stablecoins
Stripe isn’t alone.
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Circle, issuer of USDC, has applied for its own federal charter.
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Paxos and Anchorage already hold charters.
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Ripple has filed for one too, tying it to its RLUSD stablecoin.
At the same time, PayPal, Revolut, and even large U.S. banks are exploring stablecoin offerings. Stripe’s advantage: instead of pushing a single token, it’s positioning itself as the infrastructure provider that powers many.
Early Experiments: Visa + Bridge
Stripe’s vision isn’t just theory. In April 2025, Visa partnered with Bridge to launch stablecoin-linked cards in Latin America. These cards let users pay in stablecoins, while Bridge handles the behind-the-scenes conversion to local currency.
It’s a small glimpse of how stablecoins can move beyond crypto exchanges and into everyday finance.
Why It Matters
Stripe believes stablecoins can unlock “trillions of dollars in tokenized assets.” To get there, though, the industry needs:
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Regulation that builds trust,
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Infrastructure that makes it easy for businesses to participate, and
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Real-world use cases that show stablecoins are more than just speculative tokens.
If Stripe gets its OCC charter and scales Open Issuance, it could become the default platform for companies that want to tokenize money — just like Stripe today is the default payments processor for many online businesses.
The Risks
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Regulatory uncertainty. The OCC takes months to review applications, and approval isn’t guaranteed.
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Market acceptance. Businesses already rely on tokens like USDC and USDT. Stripe will need to convince them to issue or switch.
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Fragmentation. If everyone issues their own stablecoin, liquidity and interoperability could become a challenge.
Final Word
Stripe is betting that the future of money is programmable, and stablecoins will be at the center of it. By applying for a bank charter and launching Open Issuance, Stripe is aiming not just to play in the stablecoin market, but to become its backbone.
Whether this bet pays off depends on regulation, adoption, and execution. But one thing is clear: stablecoins are no longer just a crypto experiment — they’re becoming a serious part of mainstream finance.