Is Zcash legal in Japan?
Legal to own, but registered Japanese exchanges have not offered ZEC since 2018.
| Owning ZEC | Legal |
|---|---|
| Local exchanges | Delisted by licensed exchanges |
| National rule | Exchanges barred from privacy coins |
| Regulator | Financial Services Agency (FSA); JVCEA (self-regulatory body) |
| Last reviewed | 25 October 2026 |
The legal situation in Japan
Japan was the first major market to push privacy coins off licensed exchanges. In 2018 the FSA was reported to be pressing registered exchanges to drop anonymity-enhancing coins, and Coincheck delisted ZEC, XMR and DASH by June 2018. Licensed Japanese exchanges have not offered ZEC since, and Kraken does not serve Japanese clients. Holding ZEC privately is not illegal.
Key facts
- 2018-06-18: Coincheck completed the delisting of ZEC, XMR, DASH and Augur (REP); coins not withdrawn were converted to yen.
- 2026-03-05: CCN reported that Japan's licensed exchanges remain barred from offering Zcash, Monero and Dash.
- 2018-04-30: FSA reported to be pressuring exchanges to delist anonymous coins, acting informally rather than by statute.
- 2026-07-15: Parliament enacted a revision of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act that regulates crypto assets like securities, including insider-trading rules.
- 2026-09-30: Kraken's regional-restrictions page lists Japan among prohibited regions where it provides no service.
- Tax: Gains are taxed as miscellaneous income at up to 55%. A flat 20% separate-taxation rate was enacted in the FY2026 tax law (31 Mar 2026) but starts only after the crypto FIEA amendment takes effect: 1 Jan 2027 or 1 Jan 2028, depending on the Cabinet's timing.
What this means for you
Owning Zcash in your own wallet is legal, but regulated exchanges here do not list it or are being pushed to drop it. If you hold ZEC on an exchange, read what to do when an exchange delists Zcash and move it to a wallet you control. Only use buying routes that are legal where you live; see how to buy Zcash.
Sources
bitcoin.tax, bitcoinist.com, ccn.com, cryptoslate.com, english.adnkronos.com, financemagnates.com.
Sources are listed by publisher so you can look them up yourself; we do not link out.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Check the regulator's own website before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zcash legal in Japan?
Legal to own, but registered Japanese exchanges have not offered ZEC since 2018.
Can I buy Zcash on a local exchange in Japan?
No. Licensed exchanges here have delisted ZEC or may not list it.