Bitget Exits Japan
Bitget Exits Japan, Halting Services and Phasing Out Accounts Amid Tightening Crypto Rules
Anonymous
Key Points
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Bitget is Seychelles-registered (offshore), illustrating how offshore platforms retreat from Japan as the regulatory environment tightens.
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In June 2025, the Kanto Local Finance Bureau warned BTG Technology Holdings Limited (operating under Bitget) for soliciting online over-the-counter derivatives transactions without registration, signaling heightened regulatory scrutiny of Bitget's activities in Japan.
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The FSA previously tackled unregistered platforms with a February 2024 action that requested the removal of such exchanges’ apps from Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store.
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Earlier warnings from the FSA targeted Bitget in March 2023 and again in November 2024 for allegedly providing crypto services to Japanese residents without registration.
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Bitget has stated it will send account-specific withdrawal instructions to affected users via email as part of its phased exit and asset-management process.
Crypto exchange Bitget is pulling out of Japan entirely, with a hard deadline of December 31, 2026 for closing all remaining positions, according to BeInCrypto. The Seychelles-registered platform cited Japan's tightening licensing rules after regulators flagged it as an unregistered exchange.
The exit follows multiple warnings from Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) — the country's financial watchdog. Bitget framed the move as a commitment to "regulatory compliance," CryptoNews reported.
Three Deadlines Mark Bitget's Phased Japan Exit
Bitget's withdrawal unfolds in three stages. Starting August 3, 2026, new registrations from Japanese residents will be blocked. On November 1, 2026, existing accounts shift to "close-only" mode, meaning no new trades can be opened. Any positions still open after December 31, 2026 will be forcibly liquidated, according to BeInCrypto.
Bitget says it will email affected users with specific withdrawal instructions as part of the process, CryptoNews reported. Users are urged to complete Level 2 identity verification (KYC) to avoid being mistakenly flagged as Japanese residents and to withdraw assets before the final deadline.
Years of FSA Warnings Finally Force Bitget Out
Japan's FSA did not act suddenly. It first warned Bitget in March 2023 for serving Japanese residents without registration. A second warning came in November 2024. Then in June 2025, the Kanto Local Finance Bureau warned BTG Technology Holdings Limited — the entity operating Bitget — for soliciting online derivatives transactions without a license, according to Ababnews.
Japan requires any exchange serving its residents to register with the FSA and meet ongoing compliance standards. Bitget, registered in the Seychelles, never cleared that bar. The FSA also took broader action in February 2024, asking Apple and Google to remove unregistered exchanges' apps from their app stores, BeInCrypto reported.
Bitget Is Not Alone — Japan Pushes Out Offshore Rivals Too
Bitget's exit is part of a wider retreat by offshore crypto platforms from Japan. The FSA has also issued warnings to Bybit, KuCoin, and MEXC for similar violations — operating without registration while serving Japanese users, according to CoinGabbar.
Japan runs one of the world's strictest crypto regimes. Exchanges must register, follow anti-money laundering rules, and maintain capital reserves. Platforms that cannot or will not meet those standards are leaving rather than complying. Bitget's departure shows that pressure is working, BeInCrypto noted.
What Affected Users Must Do Before Year-End
Japanese users still holding assets on Bitget have a shrinking window to act. The safest step is to withdraw funds well before the November 1 close-only date. After that point, opening new positions will be impossible. After December 31, Bitget will liquidate whatever remains, CryptoNews reported.
Completing Level 2 KYC is also critical. Without it, users risk being auto-classified as Japanese residents even if they are not, triggering restrictions on their accounts. Bitget said account-specific instructions will arrive by email, according to CoinGabbar.
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