bitbank review

4.4Last reviewed 2026-08-23

bitbank is the Japanese exchange for people who actually place orders rather than tap a buy button, and it is the cheapest of the major domestic platforms if you are patient.

It is registered with the Financial Services Agency as a Crypto-asset Exchange Service Provider under the Payment Services Act, which is a closed register: only registered platforms may lawfully serve Japanese residents, and the FSA has publicly warned unregistered ones off. That register is the first thing to check about any platform claiming to serve Japan.

The pricing is the differentiator. bitbank pays makers a rebate of 0.02 percent rather than charging them, so a limit order that adds liquidity earns a small amount instead of costing one. Takers pay a published rate. For anyone willing to post an order and wait rather than crossing the spread, that is the best structure available domestically.

Yen funding runs on Furikomi bank transfer, the standard Japanese wire, with full deposit and withdrawal support. Bitcoin gains in Japan are taxed as miscellaneous income rather than capital gains, which can push a large profit into a materially higher bracket, so keep records from your first purchase.

Visit bitbankOpens bitbank.cc

Founded: 2014
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Fees: Makers receive a 0.02 percent rebate rather than paying a fee; takers pay a published rate. Full yen deposits and withdrawals over Furikomi bank transfer.
KYC: Required
Payment methods: Furikomi bank transfer
Status: Operating

How you can pay on bitbank

Every deposit rail bitbank supports in at least one market.

Domestic bank rail: Furikomi bank transfer

As published by bitbank: Furikomi bank transfer.

Pros and cons

What works

Pays makers a 0.02 percent rebate instead of charging them, the best domestic structure for patient buyers
FSA-registered under the Payment Services Act, which is the closed register that decides who may serve Japan
Full yen deposits and withdrawals over Furikomi, the standard Japanese bank rail
A real order book with no markup-laden instant-buy screen to fall into

What to watch

The rebate only applies to maker orders, so impatient buyers who cross the spread pay the taker rate
Less consumer polish than bitFlyer or Coincheck, which is the trade for the pricing
Custodial until you withdraw, like every exchange here

Fees in detail

maker: A rebate of 0.02 percent, paid to you rather than charged
taker: A published taker rate; check the current schedule before crossing the spread
spread note: There is no separate instant-buy tier inflating the cost, which is the trap on most Japanese consumer apps.
deposit note: Yen deposits by Furikomi bank transfer.
withdrawal note: Full yen withdrawal support, plus bitcoin withdrawals to self-custody.

Where we recommend bitbank

Countries where bitbank ranks in our local guide. Availability beyond these is possible but unverified by us.

Japan

Frequently asked questions

How can a fee be negative?

bitbank pays a 0.02 percent rebate on maker orders, which add liquidity to the book rather than removing it. Post a limit order and wait for it to fill and you are paid a small amount instead of charged.

Is bitbank registered in Japan?

Yes, with the Financial Services Agency as a Crypto-asset Exchange Service Provider under the Payment Services Act. Japan runs a closed register, so that registration is what makes a platform lawful for Japanese residents.

How do I fund a bitbank account?

By Furikomi bank transfer, the standard Japanese bank rail. Yen deposits and withdrawals are both fully supported.

How is bitcoin taxed in Japan?

Gains are treated as miscellaneous income rather than capital gains, which can put a large profit into a much higher marginal bracket than capital gains treatment would elsewhere. Keep records from your first purchase.