Japan Now Classifies Cryptocurrencies as Financial Instruments: New Rules and Risks Ahead.

Crypto Regulation in Japan and the United States

According to Мінфін — Крипто/Фінанси: Japan has passed legislative amendments that officially classify cryptocurrencies as financial instruments, marking a major milestone in the oversight of digital assets. The new Japanese regulations are set to take effect roughly one year after a transitional period. Operating a crypto business without official registration will carry severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison or fines of up to 10 million yen.

Across the Pacific, three Democratic U.S. senators—Chris Murphy, Chris Van Hollen, and Jeff Merkley—have come out against the CLARITY bill. Speaking at a press conference in Washington on July 14, 2026, they argued that the legislation lacks sufficient ethical safeguards to prevent corruption.

Chris Murphy stated: 'If this system doesn't stop Trump's corruption across the industry, then this bill is worthless.'

Benjamin McKenzie added: 'The CLARITY Act is meant to establish clear rules for cryptocurrencies, yet it contains no ethical safeguards that could prevent or even reduce President Trump's corruption in this space.'

Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution declaring that FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried should 'under no circumstances' receive a presidential pardon. Bankman-Fried, who was convicted of misappropriating over $8 billion in client funds, will not be eligible for release until at least 2044.

Concerns in the European Union

The European Union has also raised alarms about the potential strain on crypto service providers under the new MiCA regulations. Currently, 244 licensed crypto service providers are registered in the EU and subject to these updated rules. These developments highlight major shifts in global crypto regulation, particularly in Japan, the United States, and the EU.

Japan's approach to crypto regulation could serve as a model for other countries looking to harmonize legal frameworks for digital assets. On the other hand, the political standoff in the U.S. over the CLARITY bill underscores the complexity of ethics and transparency issues in financial technology. At the same time, the EU's new MiCA requirements may significantly reshape the crypto services landscape, forcing companies to adapt to a stricter environment. These global trends show that cryptocurrency regulation is becoming an increasingly urgent issue on the international stage.