SHIB Recognized Alongside BTC and ETH in Japan’s Elite Green List

• SHIB gets a major legitimacy upgrade by joining Bitcoin and ETH in Japan’s elite Green List.
• Japan’s FSA proposed cutting crypto tax rates from 55% to 20%, potentially increasing SHIB’s appeal to retail and institutional investors.

Shiba Inu (SHIB), the second-biggest memecoin by market capitalization, has officially joined Japan’s “Green List.” This is a major regulatory milestone for SHIB as it is now in the same trusted category as top cryptocurrencies Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

SHIB Receives Japan’s Legitimacy Nod

As explained by the Shiba Inu team on X, SHIB’s inclusion on the Green List is about official recognition and potential tax relief. This could supercharge adoption and price momentum for the SHIB meme token.

The Green List is an official whitelist maintained by Japan’s Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association (JVCEA). This is a self-regulatory body overseen by the Financial Services Agency (FSA).

The Green List identifies a select group of pre-approved cryptocurrencies that meet strict criteria for safety, transparency, issuer stability, and low volatility risk. 

Being on the list allows quicker, unconditional listings on Japan’s exchanges without lengthy reviews. It signals to investors and institutions that the asset is vetted and low-risk.

JVCEA officially confirmed Shiba Inu’s green list status on November 12, 2025. SHIB is now listed across eight member exchanges, well above the three-exchange minimum required for green list inclusion.

This is a big win for Shiba Inu as it joins elite blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Some other top cryptocurrencies on the list include XRP, Litecoin (LTC), and Polygon (POL).

In Japan, crypto gains are taxed as miscellaneous income on annual tax returns. This means progressive rates up to 55% for high earners, one of the highest rates globally. 

However, the FSA is pushing to reclassify 105 qualifying cryptos, including the Green List assets, as financial products under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. This would shift taxation to a flat 20% capital gains rate. 

The bill is expected to pass by year-end 2025, but implementation could start as early as April 1, 2026.

Implications for SHIB Price

Lower taxes equate to more buying power for Japanese investors. It could unlock institutional inflows, boost liquidity, and make SHIB more appealing for portfolios. Analysts estimate this could inject trillions of yen back into the market, with SHIB positioned to benefit directly as a newly approved asset.

SHIB, often dismissed as a memecoin, now has regulatory stamps from Japan and hints of U.S. interest. Combined with its ecosystem, it signals maturity and real-world utility.

News like this often sparks short-term pumps and adoption in the long-term. Additionally, Japan’s move could inspire other nations to greenlight Shiba Inu.

As of this writing, the SHIB price is currently down 1.09% over the previous day to $0.0000090. However, the market activity is high as indicated by the trading volume. This key metric has surged 24.9% to $142.4 million.

In a recent study, we reported that renewed investor attention could lead to upward price moves as demand picks up.

Crucially, the Shiba Inu network has continued with ecosystem partnerships. As detailed in our last news piece, the Shiba Inu network partnered with telecom outfit Unity to give the SHIB token real-world utility.

Meanwhile, Japan’s FSA is currently reviewing a proposal that could allow banks to hold Bitcoin. Additionally, three of Japan’s largest banks are reportedly collaborating to issue a joint yen-pegged stablecoin.