Bitget Exits Japanese Market Following Regulatory Warnings

The exchange’s exit strategy mandates that all accounts currently linked to Japan face restrictions beginning November 1. Users who contest their classification must complete secondary identity and address verification before this deadline to avoid automatic limitations. Those unable to verify their status will receive specific instructions via email to facilitate asset withdrawal and account closure protocols.

This retreat marks the culmination of mounting pressure from Japanese authorities. The Financial Services Agency first flagged Bitget in March 2023 for operating without local registration, a stance it reiterated in November 2024. Tensions escalated in June 2025 when the Kanto Local Finance Bureau issued a formal warning to BTG Technology Holdings Limited, the entity operating under the Bitget brand, specifically citing the solicitation of unregistered derivatives transactions.

Rather than pursuing local licensing, the company is doubling down on a fragmented regulatory strategy. Bitget has recently adopted a similar approach in Singapore, where it restricted access to comply with local oversight. Conversely, the firm is seeking formal registration in other regions, such as New Zealand, and is actively building a compliant infrastructure for a potential U.S. launch. CEO Gracy Chen maintains that the exchange will continue to prioritize individual market authorization as it scales, even as it retreats from jurisdictions where regulatory hurdles remain unmet.