Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has officially classified certain foreign-issued stablecoins as electronic payment instruments, effective June 1.

On May 19, Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) announced the revised Cabinet Office Ordinance on Electronic Payment Instruments and Other Related Businesses, explicitly including trust beneficiary rights established under foreign laws that are equivalent to Japanese regulatory frameworks within the definition of “electronic payment instruments” under Japan’s Act on Settlement of Funds. This provides a legal basis for the compliant circulation in Japan of trust-based stablecoins issued by specific foreign entities. The new rules will take effect on June 1, 2026, and concurrently clarify that such foreign trust beneficiary rights shall not be deemed securities under Japan’s Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.