Bitbank is a Japanese crypto-asset exchange operated by Bitbank, Inc., a Tokyo-based company established in May 2014. Co-founder Noriyuki Hirosue serves as president and CEO. The business was initially incorporated as Bitcheck, Inc., adopted the Bitbank name later in 2014 and launched the current bitbank.cc spot exchange in March 2017. Its headquarters are in Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
The platform provides Japanese yen-denominated spot trading through an order-book exchange and a broker-style purchase and sale service. Its wider product range includes crypto-asset margin trading, a lending program, web and mobile trading, REST and real-time APIs, VIP arrangements for high-volume traders, and specialist services for corporate and institutional customers. Japanese yen is the only supported fiat currency, with markets covering Bitcoin, Ether, XRP and a broader selection of crypto assets. Bitbank’s English-language account service is primarily intended for eligible companies outside Japan; personal accounts are not available to non-Japanese residents.
Bitbank is registered with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau as a crypto-asset exchange service provider under registration number 00004, first registered on 29 September 2017. It is also a member of the Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association. Bitbank’s security disclosures state that customer crypto assets are segregated and held in cold wallets, while its hot wallets contain company assets rather than customer funds.
For detailed fees, trading features, security analysis, usability, deposits, withdrawals and other review-specific information, see our full Bitbank exchange review.
Ownership History
CERES first invested in Bitbank in 2015 and participated in a larger capital increase in 2017. In September 2021, Bitbank raised approximately ¥7.5 billion from MIXI and CERES. Following that funding round, Hirosue held 31.4%, MIXI held 26.2% and CERES held 22.4%, making Bitbank an equity-method affiliate of both corporate investors.
On 25 June 2026, SBI Holdings announced an agreement to acquire Bitbank through its wholly owned subsidiary SBICAH GK. The disclosed pre-transaction holdings were 30.86% for Hirosue, 26.22% for MIXI, 22.39% for CERES and 20.53% for other shareholders. The staged transaction, valued at ¥46.7 billion, was expected to make Bitbank an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of SBI Holdings around October 2026, subject to Japan Fair Trade Commission clearance and other closing conditions.