Japan FSA Considers Allowing Banks to Invest in Crypto Assets

Japan’s financial regulator is considering allowing commercial banks to invest in cryptocurrencies, an official said, in a fresh sign of the country’s growing openness to digital assets.

The Financial Services Agency is weighing letting banks buy and hold virtual currencies as their own investments as long as they have a structure to properly manage risks linked to the assets, the official said, asking not to be identified because of the agency’s policy. It is also considering allowing banking groups to apply for a license to operate crypto exchanges, he said.

Japanese policymakers are taking a more positive view of crypto ...