One of the largest US cryptocurrency companies, Coinbase, has unveiled its plans to enter the Japanese market in order “to accelerate the global adoption of cryptocurrency.” The company has been in talks with the country’s financial regulator to ensure compliance.
Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space
Coinbase Opens Office in Japan
Coinbase announced on Monday, June 4, its plan to enter the Japanese market. Vice President and General Manager Dan Romero wrote:
As part of our effort to accelerate the global adoption of cryptocurrency, today we’re announcing the launch of Coinbase’s office in Japan…we plan to take a deliberate approach to our rollout in Japan, which means working hand-in-hand with the Japanese FSA [Financial Services Agency] to ensure compliance with local laws at every stage.
Currently operating in 32 countries, Coinbase claims to have more than 20 million customers. “We support USD, EUR, GBP, CAD and BTC currencies for trading,” its website states. Other than Japan, the only other Asian country the company currently has a presence in is Singapore.
Romero emphasized, “As a regulated, compliant crypto company in the U.S., we will focus on building that same level trust with new customers in Japan.”
CEO Appointed in Japan
Nao Kitazawa.
The San Francisco-based crypto company has also appointed Nao Kitazawa as the CEO of the new office. He previously worked as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley Japan and has spent several years as a member of an international law firm, litigating cases related to finance and real estate in Japan and New York.
Kitazawa is also the former COO of Money Design, a company that helped pioneer automated investment advice platforms in Japan. “As one of the industry’s top international leaders, Nao sits
