bitFlyer review

4.2Last reviewed 2026-08-23

bitFlyer is the Japanese exchange most people have heard of, and the one where the difference between its two screens costs the most money.

Registered with the Financial Services Agency under the Payment Services Act, it has run since 2014 and is plugged into Japanese payment infrastructure more thoroughly than any rival: instant yen deposits from SBI Sumishin Net Bank and AEON Bank, Pay-easy, and even convenience store deposits, which reach buyers who would rather hand over cash at a konbini counter than wire money.

Lightning, the order-book product, charges a tiered 0.01 to 0.15 percent. The Sales Office, the beginner buy screen, charges no visible fee but carries a wide spread, and that spread is where casual buyers quietly lose the money they think they are saving. The names do not signal which is which, so it is worth being deliberate.

Bitcoin gains in Japan are taxed as miscellaneous income rather than capital gains, which for a large profit can mean a materially higher marginal rate than the same gain would attract in most other countries. That is a Japanese fact rather than a bitFlyer one, but it shapes how much the fee difference matters.

Visit bitFlyerOpens bitflyer.com

Founded: 2014
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Fees: Lightning, the order book, charges a tiered 0.01 to 0.15 percent. The Sales Office beginner screen shows no fee but carries a wide spread instead.
KYC: Required
Payment methods: Furikomi bank transfer
Status: Operating

How you can pay on bitFlyer

Every deposit rail bitFlyer supports in at least one market.

Domestic bank rail: Furikomi bank transfer

As published by bitFlyer: Furikomi bank transfer.

Pros and cons

What works

The deepest integration with Japanese payment infrastructure, including Pay-easy and convenience store cash deposits
Lightning order-book fees of 0.01 to 0.15 percent are competitive with anything domestic
FSA-registered and operating since 2014, the longest continuous record among Japanese exchanges
Reaches buyers who want to pay cash at a konbini rather than wire money

What to watch

The Sales Office beginner screen hides its cost in a wide spread and is the default path for new users
The two products are not named in a way that signals which one is cheap
Custodial until you withdraw, like every exchange on this list

Fees in detail

maker: Tiered from 0.01 to 0.15 percent on Lightning
taker: Tiered from 0.01 to 0.15 percent on Lightning
spread note: The Sales Office beginner screen advertises no fee but prices through a wide spread, which costs considerably more than Lightning for the same bitcoin.
deposit note: Instant yen deposits from SBI Sumishin Net Bank and AEON Bank, plus Pay-easy and convenience store deposits.
withdrawal note: Yen withdrawals to a Japanese bank account, and bitcoin withdrawals to self-custody.

Where we recommend bitFlyer

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

Japan

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between bitFlyer Lightning and the Sales Office?

Lightning is the order book, charging a tiered 0.01 to 0.15 percent. The Sales Office is the beginner buy screen, which shows no fee but prices through a wide spread. Same bitcoin, materially different cost.

Can I pay cash for bitcoin in Japan?

On bitFlyer, effectively yes. It accepts convenience store deposits alongside Pay-easy and instant transfers from SBI Sumishin Net Bank and AEON Bank, which is the widest funding reach of any Japanese exchange.

Is bitFlyer regulated?

Yes. It is registered with the Financial Services Agency as a Crypto-asset Exchange Service Provider under the Payment Services Act, and has operated in Japan since 2014.

How much tax will I pay on a gain in Japan?

Japanese crypto gains are taxed as miscellaneous income rather than capital gains, so a large profit can fall into a much higher marginal bracket than the equivalent gain in most other countries. Keep detailed records.