TL;DR
- Bitget has stopped new registrations in Japan and is beginning a phased exit with trading restrictions starting November 1 and forced closures by December 31.
- Existing users can trade normally for now, but will be limited to closing positions once accounts enter close-only mode.
- Crypto withdrawals will remain available after the final deadline, though key details on liquidation and fiat access are still unclear.
Bitget stopped accepting new registrations from residents in Japan on August 3 and began a phased exit from the country. The exchange plans to restrict trading from November 1 and forcibly close remaining positions from December 31.
Affected users can still manage positions and withdraw assets before the later deadlines. Bitget says crypto withdrawals will remain available after December 31.
The exchange attributed the decision to compliance with Japanese regulations. However, its notice did not identify a specific order requiring this timetable or say whether Bitget plans to seek local registration.
New accounts are already blocked
The first stage took effect on August 3, when Bitget stopped accepting new accounts from residents of Japan.
Existing Japanese users can continue trading normally for now, including opening new positions. Bitget told them to begin closing positions and withdrawing assets ahead of the November 1 restrictions, which will block new trades but allow accounts to reduce existing exposure.
The exchange has not disclosed how many customers or how much customer value the decision affects. It has not said whether all notified users will follow an identical account-transition process.
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Close-only mode starts November 1
At 11:00 a.m. Japan time on November 1, Bitget plans to place affected accounts into close-only mode. This status allows users to reduce or close existing exposure but blocks new or larger positions.
According to Bitget’s FAQ, the restriction will cover spot and futures trading, P2P, convert and earn products, along with card services, copy trading and trading bots. Only limited deposits plus crypto and fiat withdrawals will remain available.
While November 1 is not the final withdrawal deadline, users must prepare to lose access to most trading and account products on that date. Open positions could become harder to manage if they depend on adding collateral or using linked services.
Bitget has not published detailed handling rules yet for products such as earn balances, copy-trading positions, loans and derivatives that extend toward the year-end deadline.
Residency checks can prevent a wrong restriction
Bitget says it will preliminarily classify users as Japanese residents only after sending them a notification on or after September 17. Someone who receives the notice but no longer lives in Japan can submit Level 2 identity verification with proof of address.
Accepted documents include bank statements, utility bills and tax certificates. The name must match the user’s identity document.
Bitget recommends completing this process before 11:00 a.m. Japan time on November 1. Verification will still be available afterward, but the exchange warns that delayed completion may interrupt account access.
The process is for correcting an inaccurate residence classification. It does not provide a way for an actual Japanese resident to bypass Bitget’s exit from Japan.
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Remaining positions face a December deadline
At 11:00 a.m. Japan time on December 31, Bitget plans to forcibly liquidate remaining open positions across its products. Card services are also scheduled for suspension.
Forced liquidation means the exchange closes a position without waiting for the user to choose the timing. The final price may differ from one the user would have selected. Bitget has not yet explained its pricing process, possible fees or the treatment of losses during those closures.
Still, December 31 is not a deadline for retrieving crypto. Bitget says customer assets will remain in their accounts until withdrawn. Users may transfer them to a self-custody wallet or an account at another exchange.
Bitget’s FAQ does not give a long-term availability date for fiat withdrawals after it completes its exit from Japan on December 31. Anyone who wants to choose how positions close and where assets move, should do so before the liquidation deadline.
