TLDR
- A Japanese corporate pension fund serving 1,200 small and medium businesses plans to allocate 1% of its assets to crypto in fiscal 2026.
- The fund manages around 21.3 billion yen ($131.8 million) and will invest through a passive fund run by a major hedge fund.
- The move is part of a broader plan to cut yen exposure and diversify into developed and emerging market currencies, gold, and crypto.
- Japan’s lower house has passed a bill to classify crypto as a financial instrument, with the upper house still to vote.
- Japan’s three largest banks also plan to launch a joint stablecoin for commercial use in fiscal 2026.
A Japanese corporate pension fund is set to put a small slice of its assets into cryptocurrency for the first time. The National Business Corporate Pension Fund, based in Okayama, plans to invest roughly 1% of its total assets in crypto during fiscal year 2026.
🚨¥ 21.3 BILLION JAPANESE NATIONAL PENSION FUND TO ALLOCATE 1% TO CRYPTO
Japan's National Business Corporate Pension Fund is set to allocate 1% of assets to crypto by FY '26, citing a 6 year study on protection against fiat currency debasement. pic.twitter.com/zmyI55XD9Q
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) June 21, 2026
The fund serves about 1,200 small and medium-sized businesses and manages around 21.3 billion yen, or about $131.8 million. Local news outlets CoinPost and Nikkei first reported the news.
The fund will invest through a passive fund managed by an unnamed major hedge fund that holds multiple crypto assets. The specific coins or tokens involved have not been disclosed.
The crypto investment is part of a broader plan to reduce the fund’s exposure to the Japanese yen. In fiscal 2025, the fund held 80% of its assets in yen. Under the new plan, that figure will drop to 70%.
The remaining allocations will shift toward developed market currencies at 10%, and 5% each toward emerging market currencies, gold, and crypto assets. The fund says the goal is to diversify currency risk.
Japan’s Crypto Rules Are Changing
The pension fund’s move comes as Japan’s financial regulators work to bring crypto further into the mainstream. Earlier this month, Japan’s lower house passed a bill that would classify cryptocurrencies as financial instruments under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
If the upper house approves the legislation, it is expected to take effect next year. The law could also open the door to crypto exchange-traded funds in Japan.
The same bill could support a change in how crypto gains are taxed. Currently, Japan taxes digital asset profits at a maximum rate of 55%. The proposed reform would move to a flat 20% tax, in line with how stocks are taxed.
Banks and Companies Are Also Moving
Japan’s largest banks are taking steps of their own. MUFG Bank, Mizuho Bank, and SMBC have announced plans to begin live commercial transactions using a jointly issued stablecoin during fiscal 2026.
SBI Shinsei Bank is also testing a program that rewards deposit customers with vouchers redeemable for Bitcoin, Ether, or XRP, with a full launch planned for autumn.
Metaplanet, Japan’s largest publicly listed Bitcoin holder, agreed in June to acquire Siiibo Securities for 2.1 billion yen. The company said the deal would help it build and distribute Bitcoin-linked yield products through a new securities division.
The pension fund has not yet publicly commented on the planned allocation. The Block reported it had reached out for further comment.
Japan’s financial sector is moving in a clear direction, with pension funds, major banks, and listed companies all taking steps toward crypto in 2026.
