Bitget to Exit Japan, Account Restrictions for Residents Starting November 1
Bitget has announced its exit from the Japanese market, with account restrictions for Japanese residents starting November 1. The exchange has stopped new registrations for Japanese residents, and existing accounts will enter a close-only mode on November 1, with forced liquidation of remaining positions after December 31. Withdrawals of crypto assets will still be allowed.
Funds from Japanese users may accelerate towards local licensed exchanges, with beneficiaries being platforms registered with the FSA, while unlicensed overseas derivatives exchanges face pressure on their Japanese operations.
Source: Public Information
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Bitget has previously received multiple warnings from the Japanese Financial Services Agency for providing services to residents without registration. This exit follows the withdrawal path of platforms like Bybit after regulatory tightening in Japan, indicating a preference for compliance over continuing unlicensed operations.
Capital is shifting from unlicensed overseas derivatives platforms to local licensed institutions, motivated by the desire to avoid forced liquidation and account restriction risks. This is reflected in users closing positions early and transferring assets to regulated venues, while exchanges are reducing exposure to high-risk markets.
Similar cases can be seen with several international exchanges' phased exits from strict markets like Japan and South Korea. The current Asian crypto compliance landscape is transitioning from gray operations to mandatory licensing, with control shifting towards platforms that have completed local registration.
This essentially reflects regulatory changes: Japan continues to tighten its ban on unregistered services, using warnings and enforcement pressure to compel overseas platforms to exit voluntarily, thereby redirecting resident trading back to a regulated system.
ABAB News · Cognitive Laws
- The endpoint of unlicensed operations is voluntary withdrawal.
- When regulations tighten, compliance costs determine market presence.
- The forced liquidation window is a countdown for capital migration.