Bitget Withdraws From Japan and Sets December Deadline for Open Positions

Highlights:

• Bitget will exit Japan in phases before the end of the year.
• Japanese users must complete verification to avoid restrictions.
• Bitget is expanding into other regulated markets globally after ending services in Japan.

Bitget, a Seychelles-registered cryptocurrency exchange, stopped accepting new registrations from Japanese residents today as it began withdrawing from the country. The exchange introduced a phased timetable that will restrict affected accounts over the coming months before ending their trading activity completely.

WSX News 🇯🇵: Bitget is reportedly preparing to withdraw from the Japanese market, with restrictions on accounts held by Japanese residents set to take effect from November 1.

The move marks a significant shift for @bitget as regulatory requirements continue to shape how global… pic.twitter.com/M8FKxohf1K

— WallStreetX (@WallStreetXHQ) August 3, 2026

Users who believe Bitget wrongly identified them as Japanese residents must complete Level 2 identity verification, including proof of address, before November 1. Users who complete the verification and prove they live outside Japan will avoid the account restrictions. However, Bitget will classify users who miss the November 1 deadline as Japanese residents and apply the planned restrictions to their accounts.

Bitget will begin applying account restrictions to affected accounts from November 1. During that stage, affected users can only reduce or close existing positions because Bitget will disable new trading activity. The exchange will automatically close every remaining open position after December 31 in accounts that remain subject to the Japan restrictions.

Bitget urged affected users to withdraw their assets before December 31 to avoid automatic position closures. The exchange also said it will email affected users with instructions explaining how to withdraw assets and complete the remaining account procedures.

Why Bitget Japan Chose Compliance Over Local Operations

Japan requires every cryptocurrency exchange serving domestic users to register with the Financial Services Agency under the Payment Services Act before offering services. Those rules require exchanges such as Bitget to meet customer protection, custody, and compliance standards before serving Japanese residents.

Japan’s Financial Services Agency first warned Bitget for operating without registration. However, the exchange continued serving Japanese users without approval, prompting another warning. The agency also warned Bybit, KuCoin, and MEXC for offering crypto services without registration.

Regulatory pressure continued in June last year when the Kanto Local Finance Bureau warned BTG Technology Holdings for offering online over-the-counter derivatives without registration under the Bitget name. Japan also removed Bitget’s app from Apple’s App Store. However, existing users still accessed the platform through Android devices and web browsers.

Global Expansion Continues Across Approved Markets

Beyond Japan, Bitget previously confirmed that it does not offer or market its services in Singapore because it lacks local regulatory authorization. It also said it blocks platform access for Singapore residents because the country remains a restricted jurisdiction.

作为我们践行监管透明度承诺的一部分，Bitget 特此说明：Bitget 未获得新加坡金融管理局（MAS）的许可、批准、注册、授权或监管。https://t.co/dt5VtzaaLm pic.twitter.com/ps6ObIm3El

— Bitget中文 (@Bitget_zh) July 22, 2026

Meanwhile, Bitget completed registration on New Zealand’s Financial Service Providers Register across several financial service categories. The company also joined the country’s Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman dispute resolution scheme.

Bitget also plans to establish a separate United States entity so it can obtain the required licenses before launching services. The exchange intends to secure money-transmitter, broker-dealer, and derivatives licenses before entering the United States. Bitget CEO Gracy Chen said the exchange will continue securing local regulatory approvals while expanding into new markets.

Meanwhile, Bitget recently launched a crypto payment card in partnership with Mastercard and Immersve. The card allows users to spend digital assets at more than 150 million Mastercard merchants worldwide.