A Japanese pension fund serving 1,200 firms plans a 1% crypto allocation in fiscal 2026, as Japan moves to bring digital assets under securities law.
Crypto News
A Japanese pension fund plans to put about 1% of its assets into cryptocurrency. The fund serves roughly 1,200 small and medium-sized businesses and is called the Nationwide Business Corporate Pension Fund. It is based in Okayama, Japan, and the plan covers fiscal year 2026, according to a Nikkei report.
The fund manages about 21.3 billion yen in total assets, equal to more than $130 million. It will invest through a passive fund managed by an unnamed major hedge fund that holds multiple crypto assets.
"Diversifying Beyond Yen And Dollars"
Japanese crypto outlet CoinPost reported that the move is meant to diversify the fund's holdings. The fund currently allocates 80% of its assets to yen, 15% to US dollars and 5% to other currencies. The new crypto allocation would sit alongside these existing holdings.
The plan suggests a shift among some Japanese institutional investors. More of them appear willing to treat crypto as an alternative asset class as digital assets gain wider use across Japan's financial system.
Read More: Japan Megabanks Plan Joint Stablecoin by March 2027
Japanese lawmakers are also working to formalize crypto's role in the country's regulated markets. On June 11, 2026, Japan's House of Representatives passed a bill that would bring crypto assets under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. The change would align crypto rules more closely with those for conventional financial products.
The bill must still pass Japan's House of Councillors. If it passes, it could open a path for crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Japan and support a proposed flat tax of 20% on crypto gains, down from the current maximum rate of 55%.
Read More: Japan's Ruling Party Backs Crypto ETFs, Yen Stablecoins
Other Japanese Firms Expanding Crypto Access
Other Japanese financial firms are building separate paths to crypto exposure. SBI Shinsei Bank has started testing a deposit-linked rewards program that offers vouchers redeemable for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) or XRP. A permanent version of the program is planned for autumn 2026.
Metaplanet is Japan's largest publicly listed Bitcoin holder. On June 12, 2026, the company agreed to acquire Siiibo Securities in a deal valued at 2.1 billion yen. Metaplanet said the acquisition would help it develop and distribute Bitcoin-linked yield products through a newly formed securities arm.
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