Let's explore the current state of the Japanese Web3 market and a series of highlights from TEAMZ Summit 2025.
Tokyo is undoubtedly one of the favorite cities for Web3 industry professionals, as this city can satisfy your desires in every aspect. When we travel to a city for business, it feels fantastic to think that this city can also provide ample enjoyment outside of work. Tokyo is definitely such a city.
One of the major reasons TEAMZ Summit is held in April each year is that April is the time of year when Japan has the best climate. Not only is the weather pleasant, but visually you can also enjoy the very romantic cherry blossoms and experience the pink Tokyo in April. Whether coming with colleagues to do business or bringing family and friends for a combined conference and travel, it is a great plan.
From a business perspective, April is actually the first month after personnel changes in the Japanese government and local companies, so to a large extent, April is the true Q1 (first quarter) of business activities in Japan. Government decisions and companies' annual development plans are all released after April. TEAMZ Summit 2025 will also share and analyze the latest intelligence in Japan's Web3 industry for attendees, including the national Web3 strategic planning, the Financial Services Agency's regulatory policies, government tax and support policies, and the latest trends of major companies and the community in Web3.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the 2025 World Expo (EXPO 2025) will open on April 13, 2025, in Japan. The Expo, themed 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives,' aims to explore the future of global sustainable development through innovation and cooperation. Attendees can experience Expo 2025 around the time of TEAMZ Summit, making it an excellent opportunity.
If these reasons still don't motivate you to attend TEAMZ Summit 2025 in Tokyo, let's explore the current state of the Japanese Web3 market and a series of highlights from the TEAMZ Summit itself.
Current state of the Japanese Web3 market
National level
Web3 is regarded as an important part of the national strategy, positioned as a key effort to promote economic development. Meanwhile, to achieve healthy development of the cryptocurrency industry, institutions such as the Financial Services Agency and the Digital Agency are actively promoting regulatory and tax reform for cryptocurrencies.
Digital cryptocurrency tax policy reform:
1. Unrealized profits are tax-exempt: Starting from April 2024, Japan will no longer tax unrealized profits on cryptocurrencies held by enterprises. Previously, companies were required to pay tax on unrealized gains valued at market value at the end of the fiscal year for held crypto assets. The new policy stipulates that companies only need to pay taxes on actual profits obtained from the sale of cryptocurrencies.
2. Tax rate adjustment: Currently, profits from cryptocurrency trading are classified as 'miscellaneous income' and subject to a progressive tax rate of up to 55%. There are suggestions to unify the tax rate for crypto assets to 20% to enhance the industry's competitiveness.
Digital cryptocurrency compliance policies:
1. Registration requirements: According to the Fund Settlement Act, companies engaged in cryptocurrency exchange services must register with the Financial Services Agency of Japan as cryptocurrency exchange service providers. Services include purchasing, selling cryptocurrency, or exchanging between different types of cryptocurrencies.
2. Self-regulatory organizations: Japan has established self-regulatory organizations such as the Japan Virtual Currency Exchange Association (JVCEA) and the Japan Security Token Offering Association (JSTOA). Among them, JVCEA is recognized by the Japanese Financial Services Agency and is responsible for formulating and managing the operational rules and internal control systems of exchanges to ensure the compliance of cryptocurrency exchanges.
3. Anti-money laundering measures: Crypto asset exchange service providers must comply with the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds and take due diligence measures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing risks.
4. Web3 VC licenses: The Japanese government approved a proposal on February 16, 2024, to allow venture capital (VC) firms to invest directly in cryptocurrency and Web3 projects. This proposal includes cryptocurrencies in the list of assets that local investment limited partnerships (LPS) can acquire or hold. If this legal amendment is realized, Japanese VCs will be able to invest in projects that only issue virtual currencies, lowering the threshold for Japanese Web3 companies to raise funds and conduct business.
Through the reform and improvement of the aforementioned tax and compliance policies, Japan is striving to create a more favorable development environment for the cryptocurrency industry and promote innovation and growth in the Web3 field.
Large enterprise institutional level
Many large enterprises are beginning to adopt blockchain technology based on existing business frameworks and using Tokens to provide new user experiences. Typical representatives include SBI, NTT Docomo, Toppan Printing, NEC, etc.
SBI Holdings: Collaborating with TradeFinex to develop blockchain trade financing tools. Completing the first cross-border repurchase transaction of digital bonds in collaboration with UBS and DBS Bank.
NTT Docomo: Established NTT Digital to promote the application of Web3 technology among individuals and businesses. Collaborating with Amazon to develop tokenized asset solutions.
Toppan Printing: Developing blockchain-based supply chain management tools. Collaborating with the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) to research quantum computing secure communication technology.
NEC (Nippon Electric Company): Conducting quantum token experiments, exploring the integration of quantum technology and blockchain. Using blockchain technology to improve KYC service quality for financial institutions.
Web3 startups, project level
The number of startups is steadily increasing. Japan is known as an 'IP powerhouse,' with rich cultural assets and world-renowned intellectual property. This advantage provides unique competitiveness for Japanese Web3 startups. Projects launched based on its IP advantages, such as games and NFTs, are gaining global attention. Currently, there are hundreds of active Web3 local projects in Japan, and the number is gradually increasing.
Japanese licensed exchanges
Overview of licensed exchanges:
Since the implementation of the Fund Settlement Act in 2017, the Japanese government has required all companies providing cryptocurrency trading services to register with the Financial Services Agency (FSA) of Japan, ensuring the transparency and compliance of exchanges. As of now, the number of licensed exchanges has reached 32.
Major licensed exchanges:
bitFlyer: Japan's largest cryptocurrency trading platform, supporting spot trading, margin trading, and payment services. Coincheck: Provides various cryptocurrency trading and NFT market services, widely popular with users.
SBI VC Trade: Operated by SBI Group, focusing on serving institutional investors.
Bitbank: Known for high liquidity and support for various trading pairs, providing stable fiat currency exchange services.
Japan's licensing system not only ensures the compliance of exchanges but also enhances users' trust in trading platforms. This environment attracts more individual and institutional investors to participate, further driving market growth.
Market trading scale
Japan's cryptocurrency spot market has a total monthly trading volume of about 900 billion yen (approximately 6 billion USD), occupying an important position in the global market.
Trading characteristics:
Fiat currency trading is mainstream: The trading volume of JPY against BTC and ETH occupies a major market share.
Mainstream coins dominate: The trading volume of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) accounts for over 70%, followed by Ripple (XRP) and other tokens.
Retail investors are active: The Japanese market is mainly composed of retail investors, who tend to regard cryptocurrency as an important part of their asset allocation. At the same time, more and more institutional investors (such as SBI Group) are trading through compliant exchanges, injecting more capital into the market and significantly increasing trading volumes.
As the scale of Japan's cryptocurrency market expands, market demand and development trends are also gradually changing. Cryptocurrency is no longer just an investment tool; more and more businesses are accepting it as a means of payment, further enhancing market demand. Additionally, the younger generation of investors tends to include cryptocurrencies in their asset portfolios, driving the activity level of market trading. With the Financial Services Agency planning to simplify the listing process for new tokens, this will bring more trading options to the market and promote trading volume growth. More and more exchanges are also trying to integrate Web3 services and NFT markets to provide users with a richer range of investment options. Some Japanese exchanges are also planning to connect with overseas markets to enhance global market share through cross-border cooperation.
Trading user perspective
Awareness of cryptocurrencies is continuously increasing. Especially since February 2024, when the U.S. SEC approved spot ETFs for BTC and ETH, a large amount of capital (billions of dollars) has flowed into the cryptocurrency industry. Additionally, due to media coverage, awareness of cryptocurrencies in Japan has significantly improved. According to data from the Japan Virtual Currency Exchange Association (JVCEA), as of 2024, the number of cryptocurrency accounts in Japan has exceeded 10 million, accounting for about 8% of Japan's total population. This figure indicates that cryptocurrencies have gradually integrated into the investment portfolios of the Japanese public.
Investor structure:
Young investors dominate: The young generation aged 18 to 35 are the main investors in cryptocurrencies. They are familiar with digital technology and have a high acceptance of virtual assets. This generation tends to view cryptocurrencies as part of their asset allocation, seeking investment options different from traditional assets such as stocks and bonds.
Increase in institutional investors: With the legitimization of crypto assets and the launch of ETFs, institutional investors (such as banks and funds) are also beginning to engage in cryptocurrency investments.
The number of cryptocurrency accounts in Japan has surpassed 10 million, indicating that the Japanese cryptocurrency market has entered a mature stage, further expanding its potential market size. The compliance and transparency of the market have enhanced investor confidence, laying the foundation for more capital inflow. User participation is not limited to cryptocurrency trading; it has also driven the development of the NFT market, blockchain games, and metaverse-related projects. With the emergence of more compliant exchanges and the deepening of market education, the number of cryptocurrency accounts in Japan is expected to continue to grow, reaching over 15% of the total population.
Comprehensive analysis of TEAMZ Summit 2025 highlights
As Japan's oldest Web3 summit brand, TEAMZ Summit will welcome its 7th conference in 2025. This grand event is an important platform for connecting Web3 industry resources, sharing market insights, and showcasing innovative achievements. So far, TEAMZ Summit has attracted over 30,000 offline participants and expects to attract 10,000 attendees in 2025.
The following are the main highlights of the 2025 conference:
Top speakers and industry insights
130 top global speakers: Industry leaders, including Japan's Digital Minister Takemasa Hirakawa, will discuss key issues in the Web3 industry for 2025 through keynote speeches and roundtable forums. Core topics include: Bitcoin ecosystem, Layer 1 and Layer 2 protocols, real-world assets (RWA), stablecoins, investment environment, compliance, centralized and decentralized exchanges (CEX and DEX), decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePin), NFTs, blockchain games, Web3 Dapps, etc. Keynote speeches and discussions will provide attendees with unique insights and practical information about the future development of Web3, making it an unmissable learning opportunity for corporate decision-makers, developers, and investors.
High-quality exhibiting projects with comprehensive coverage
100 high-quality exhibiting projects: covering multiple fields, including Layer 1, Layer 2, RWA, stablecoins, wallets, CEX and DEX, DePin, NFTs, blockchain games, Web3 Dapps, and Web3 service institutions. Providing attendees with a platform to gain in-depth understanding of the latest technologies, solutions, and investment opportunities. The exhibited projects not only showcase cutting-edge industry technologies but also provide case studies of practical applications, making it an ideal opportunity for technology promotion and cooperation.
Strong support lineup
100 top VC institutions: Top venture capital institutions from around the world will participate in the summit to provide financing and resource support for Web3 startups and innovative projects.
100 community partners: Community support covers multiple fields, providing extensive ecological support and promotion for Web3 projects. 100 media partners: The conference has received extensive media support, ensuring maximum brand exposure for exhibiting companies and projects.
500 key opinion leaders (KOLs): Industry experts and opinion leaders from around the world will help expand the summit's influence through social media and on-site events.
100 surrounding events: including closed-door meetings, salons, banquets, and other diverse forms of activities, further enriching the attendee experience and creating more social and learning opportunities.
Meanwhile, TEAMZ Summit 2025 will host a VIP welcome dinner at the Bulgari Tokyo on the evening of April 15, 2025. Conference speakers, special guests, representatives of sponsoring companies, VCs, communities, and media representatives will engage in networking before the conference begins, efficiently connecting the summit's core network resources through the welcome dinner.
More information about the summit:
TEAMZ Summit 2025 official website:
https://web3.teamz.co.jp/en
TEAMZ Summit 2025 sponsorship information:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/iizvfuieg8hjdnwudf00m/TEAMZ-Summit-2025.pdf?rlkey=3h25dvh3bpe4hha1tola7svl1&dl=0
TEAMZ official X:
https://x.com/teamz_inc
TEAMZ Summit 2025 ticket link:
https://web3.teamz.co.jp/en/tickets-list-2025
TEAMZ Summit 2025 official email:
summit@teamz.co.jp