Bitget to Exit Japan Market by Year-End Following FSA Warning Over Unregistered Operations

Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange Bitget announced on August 3, 2026, that it will exit the Japanese market and terminate services for Japan residents by the end of the year. The decision follows a November 29, 2024 warning from Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) regarding unregistered operations. Bitget stopped new registrations on August 3, 2026, and will enforce Level 2 identity verification by November 1, 2026, followed by phased restrictions and forced liquidation of remaining positions after December 31, 2026.

Bitget Japan market exit

• ▪Bitget announced its decision to exit the Japanese market via its official X account, citing compliance considerations and local regulations.
• ▪Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange Bitget announced on August 3, 2026, that it will terminate services for residents of Japan.

FSA warning to unregistered exchanges

• ▪Japan's Financial Services Agency issued warning letters on November 29, 2024, to Bitget Limited for conducting cryptocurrency exchange services without registration.
• ▪The Financial Services Agency's warning letters on November 29, 2024, also targeted other unregistered cryptocurrency exchanges including KuCoin, MEXC Global, and Bybit Fintech.

Account verification requirements

• ▪Bitget accounts that fail to complete Level 2 identity verification by November 1, 2026, will be automatically classified as Japan residents.
• ▪Bitget users must complete Level 2 identity verification, including proof of address, by November 1, 2026, to verify their country of residence.

Phased service restrictions

• ▪Bitget stopped accepting new account registrations from Japan residents on August 3, 2026, and will implement phased functional restrictions on existing accounts.
• ▪Bitget's mobile application was removed from Japanese app stores after the Financial Services Agency requested Apple and Google to remove unregistered operators.

Forced liquidation deadline

• ▪Any remaining positions held by Japan residents on the Bitget platform will be forcibly liquidated after December 31, 2026.
• ▪Phased restrictions on Bitget accounts determined to belong to Japan residents will take effect starting November 1, 2026.

Japan crypto regulatory tightening

• ▪Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit previously completed a phased withdrawal from the Japanese market after receiving a warning from Japan's Financial Services Agency.
• ▪Bitget, founded in 2018, operates in more than 120 countries and regions worldwide and is known for high liquidity in derivatives trading.

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