Japan’s Cabinet has approved amendments to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) to treat cryptocurrencies as financial instruments, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said after a cabinet meeting on April 10.

Cryptocurrencies have so far been regulated under the Payment Services Act as a form of payment in Japan. The change will treat them like stocks and bonds, reflecting their growing role as investment assets.

The measure is part of Japan’s efforts to overhaul its financial regulatory framework to adapt to changing capital markets, with new legislation targeting crypto asset oversight, disclosure standards, and investor protection. The reforms are also designed to improve market transparency and…