Bitget has confirmed it will cease offering cryptocurrency services to residents of Japan, following multiple warnings from the country’s financial watchdog. The exchange, which stopped accepting new registrations from Japan on Monday, will begin applying account restrictions from November 1, 2026 and automatically close any remaining open positions by December 31, 2026, according to official notices.
The decision brings an end to years of regulatory friction. Japan’s Financial Services Agency first warned Bitget in March 2023 for allegedly providing services without registration and repeated the warning in November 2024. In June 2025, the Kanto Local Finance Bureau issued a separate warning to BTG Technology Holdings Limited—identified as the operator of Bitget—over unregistered over-the-counter derivatives solicitation.
Affected users who believe they were incorrectly classified as Japan residents can avoid restrictions by completing Level 2 identity verification with address proof before the November 1 deadline. Accounts that remain flagged as Japanese will then be subject to phased limitations, with further instructions sent via email.
The exit aligns with a broader pattern of offshore exchanges adjusting their footprint in tightly regulated markets. Bybit, for example, previously halted services for Japanese residents citing similar regulatory hurdles. Bitget itself has taken similar steps in other jurisdictions—last month it acknowledged that Singapore is a prohibited jurisdiction under its terms of use—while continuing to pursue licenses in markets like New Zealand and planning a future U.S. launch.
Japan remains one of the most compliance-heavy jurisdictions for crypto, requiring exchanges to register with the FSA. Unregistered venues risk being blocked from onboarding local residents or offering certain products. Bitget’s withdrawal leaves users watching for final clarity on account access, asset withdrawals, and any further product adjustments.
