What will 2026 look like? The Japanese authorities have provided an answer—the Year of Digital Currency.

At the Tokyo Stock Exchange New Year opening ceremony, the head of Japan’s financial and monetary departments clearly stated: in the coming year, the adoption of digital assets and blockchain assets is not an option, but a necessity. And the key infrastructure supporting this transformation? It’s the exchanges.

To truly benefit the general public, policy guidance alone is not enough. The core lies in whether exchanges can provide secure, convenient, and standardized infrastructure—this is a necessary condition for widespread adoption. In other words, the government is paving the way for the market, and exchanges are building bridges for users.

It’s worth noting that there is a ready reference behind this stance. The United States has already validated a path through the launch of ETF products: institutional innovation + market tools can significantly lower the barriers to entry for both institutions and retail investors. Japan is clearly drawing on this experience, preparing for a surge in its domestic digital asset ecosystem.

With the policy window opening and market opportunities emerging, the next question is: who can adapt to this change first?