Japanese Authorities Urge Apple and Google to Block Five Crypto Exchanges

Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has officially requested that Apple and Google block the applications of five unregistered cryptocurrency exchanges, according to Nikkei.

The list includes Bybit, MEXC Global, LBank Exchange, KuCoin, and Bitget.

Reports indicate that Apple has already implemented the restriction and had previously warned these platforms against offering services to Japanese citizens. Google has yet to respond to the regulator’s request.

The restriction will not apply retroactively. Users who downloaded the apps before the ban will still be able to use them, bypassing the restriction.

Japan’s authorities first issued a warning against unregistered crypto exchanges in 2018, but many companies continued to operate in the country. This is the first time the regulator has requested a direct app ban.

Reminder: In December 2024, Japan’s government expressed skepticism about creating a national Bitcoin reserve.