SBI, Rakuten and Nomura are reportedly planning crypto investment trusts, highlighting growing institutional interest in digital assets in Japan.
SBI, Rakuten and Nomura are reportedly planning to launch crypto investment trusts in Japan, signaling a potential wave of structured digital asset products from some of the country’s largest financial institutions.
The reported plans would see all three firms offer investment trust vehicles tied to cryptocurrencies, giving retail and institutional investors regulated exposure to digital assets through familiar financial structures.
What the reported crypto trust plans involve
According to reports, SBI, Rakuten and Nomura are each developing crypto investment trust products. The plans remain at the preparation stage, and none of the three firms have publicly confirmed final launch timelines or detailed product specifications.
SBI Group, which has been expanding its digital asset operations in recent years, outlined broader crypto-related business ambitions in its investor presentation materials. Nomura, through its digital assets subsidiary Laser Digital, has similarly been building infrastructure for institutional crypto services, as referenced in a Nomura Holdings announcement.
Rakuten, best known as Japan’s largest e-commerce platform, also operates Rakuten Wallet, a registered crypto exchange. An investment trust product would represent a step beyond exchange trading into managed fund structures.
The development comes as Japan’s Financial Services Agency has been reviewing its regulatory framework for crypto assets. A December 2025 FSA policy document addressed the evolving treatment of digital assets within Japan’s financial regulations.
Why major finance brands entering crypto trusts matters
Investment trusts are a widely used product category in Japan, familiar to millions of retail investors. Crypto investment trusts from recognized names like SBI, Rakuten and Nomura would lower the barrier for mainstream participation in digital asset markets.
The involvement of multiple major firms at once points to a broader institutional trend rather than a single company’s bet. This mirrors developments elsewhere, including institutional capital flowing into crypto ETF products in the United States.
Structured products also carry different risk profiles than direct token purchases. Investors in a trust would gain exposure through a regulated fund manager rather than holding private keys or navigating exchange interfaces, similar to how authorities in various jurisdictions have been working to bring crypto operations under formal oversight.
What to watch before any launch becomes official
Several key details remain unconfirmed. These include the specific cryptocurrencies each trust would track, fee structures, minimum investment amounts, and whether the products would target retail investors, institutions, or both.
Regulatory approval timelines are also unclear. Japan’s FSA would need to review any new investment trust prospectus, and the agency’s ongoing policy discussions around crypto classification could affect product design and launch schedules.
Investors should watch for official announcements from each firm. Until SBI, Rakuten and Nomura individually confirm their plans with product details, the reported launches remain unverified. The outcome may also depend on how Japan balances innovation with the kind of enforcement actions seen across Asia’s crypto sector in recent months.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.
