Japan appears to be going all in on XRP, as new reports reveal that the country is working toward reclassifying the cryptocurrency. An XRP advocate and expert known on X as ‘SonOfaRichard’ has exposed what’s going on behind the scenes, noting that Japan is now transforming XRP into a real financial infrastructure, formally integrating it into the country’s capital markets.
Behind Japan’s New Commitment To XRP
For many countries, particularly the US and South Korea, XRP has primarily been viewed as a digital asset for payments and trading, subject to both bullish and bearish price action. However, Japan has recently taken a step further, moving beyond the speculative bubble and aiming to reclassify the altcoin and integrate it into the country’s financial infrastructure.
In his post on X, SonOfaRichard delved deep into this ongoing development, highlighting the significance and implications of Japan’s involvement in XRP. He said that Japan is not merely expressing bullish sentiment on XRP, as many countries, traders, and analysts do. Instead, it is changing how the cryptocurrency is classified domestically by placing it under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA). This move represents a significant regulatory shift rather than a market-driven endorsement.
According to the expert, assets under the FIEA are not designed to fuel speculative market pumps. By moving XRP under this new regulatory framework, Japan would effectively position it alongside traditional financial products, such as bonds, funds, and derivatives. This shift removes primary focus on short-term price movements and prioritizes structure and oversight as a pathway toward long-term market development and maturation.
SonOfaRichard has said that Japan’s reclassification of XRP will introduce insider trading controls, custody audits, disclosure standards, and clearer rules for institutional balance sheets. He explained that once the process is complete, it will not be treated as an experiment but as a full infrastructure normalization. He added that institutions that have been waiting for clear regulatory approval may soon receive it, as Japan moves closer to granting final authorization.
Timeline For Japan’s Reclassification
In his post, SonOfaRichard clarified the timeline of Japan’s reclassification of XRP. He explained that it would not be an immediate change, as the process follows Japan’s fiscal-year logic, not the US calendar. Legislative submission is expected in 2026, with full implementation aligned with Japan’s formal fiscal rails and taking effect only after official approval.
The XRP expert noted that Japan’s regulatory system runs on a fiscal year from April to March, and new rules typically come into effect at the start of the fiscal cycle rather than mid-year. This means XRP’s reclassification will likely occur sometime in Q2 2026.
SonOfaRichard also emphasized that the reclassification will focus on institutional treatment, custody, disclosure, and compliance standards. He added that the process represents a massive structural shift and will therefore unfold slowly and deliberately to ensure proper alignment with Japan’s established regulatory frameworks.
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