A practical guide to understanding Fisco — a Japanese exchange with a decade of history, now exiting the cryptocurrency business.
FISCO Fisco Cryptocurrency Exchange, Inc. was founded on April 12, 2016, and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan[reference:2]. It was a subsidiary of Fisco Ltd., a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market[reference:3].
The exchange positioned itself as a Japanese platform focused on trading Bitcoin and several other digital assets against the local currency, JPY. It also facilitated coin-to-coin trades[reference:5]. As a licensed entity, it held a license from Japan's Financial Services Agency (JFSA), as required by local law[reference:6].
In 2018, Fisco made a significant move by acquiring the Zaif cryptocurrency exchange from Tech Bureau[reference:7][reference:8]. This acquisition expanded its footprint in the Japanese market. However, Zaif had been hacked in September 2018, and Fisco reportedly came under the FSA's microscope after the management change in April 2019[reference:9].
The company also launched its own native token, Fisco Coin (FSCC), in 2019, with a maximum supply of 50 million[reference:10][reference:11]. FSCC was designed as a utility token within the Fisco ecosystem, intended to facilitate transactions, provide liquidity, and support staking and governance[reference:12].
Fisco was a regulated Japanese exchange with a decade-long history, marked by the acquisition of Zaif and the launch of its own token. Its journey ended in 2026 with a full exit from the cryptocurrency sector.
On May 14, 2026, Fisco announced it would exit its cryptocurrency business[reference:13]. This was a significant development for a company that had been active in the space for a decade.
The decision was made amid ongoing changes in cryptocurrency regulations and market conditions. This marked the end of Fisco's decade-long involvement in the crypto sector.
Safety and regulatory compliance are critical factors when evaluating any cryptocurrency exchange. Fisco's track record presents a mixed picture.
Fisco held a license from Japan's Financial Services Agency (JFSA), a requirement for operating a cryptocurrency exchange in Japan[reference:26]. This provided a baseline level of regulatory oversight and consumer protection.
However, Fisco was not without regulatory issues. In June 2019, the Japanese regulator issued a business improvement order to Fisco[reference:27]. The exchange had been under the FSA's microscope since it took over management of Zaif in April 2019, following the 2018 hack[reference:28]. The improvement order required Fisco to enhance its anti-money laundering (AML) measures[reference:29].
Information on Fisco's specific custody practices and security infrastructure is limited. As with any centralized exchange, users entrust their assets to the platform's security measures. The 2018 Zaif hack, which occurred before Fisco's acquisition, highlights the risks inherent in exchange custody[reference:30].
When evaluating any exchange, consider the following:
For Fisco, the historical context of the Zaif hack and subsequent regulatory scrutiny are relevant factors.
Understanding the fee structure is essential for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of an exchange. Specific fee details for Fisco are not widely documented in public sources.
Like most centralized exchanges, Fisco likely charged trading fees as a percentage of the trade amount. These fees typically vary based on factors such as trading volume and the user's tier (maker/taker)[reference:31]. However, specific rates for Fisco are not readily available.
Exchanges often impose deposit and withdrawal fees. For Fisco, these would have depended on the payment method (bank transfer, crypto) and the asset involved[reference:32]. Again, specific figures are not publicly documented.
Given that Fisco is exiting the crypto business, its fee structure may no longer be applicable. For any exchange, the best practice is to:
The range of assets available and the liquidity of an exchange are key factors for traders.
Fisco primarily focused on trading Bitcoin and several other digital assets against the Japanese Yen (JPY)[reference:33]. The exchange also facilitated coin-to-coin trades[reference:34].
According to some sources, Fisco had a limited number of trading pairs — as few as 2[reference:35][reference:36]. This suggests a narrower asset selection compared to larger global exchanges.
Fisco also launched its own token, Fisco Coin (FSCC), in 2019[reference:37]. The token had a maximum supply of 50 million[reference:38]. FSCC was designed as a utility token within the Fisco ecosystem[reference:39].
However, following the company's exit announcement, FSCC promotions were halted, and the token burn plan was canceled[reference:40]. The future of FSCC is now uncertain.
Liquidity on Fisco appears to have been limited. Data from CoinPaprika indicated that Fisco reported a 24-hour trading volume of ¥0, with an estimated actual trading volume of ¥0, and a confidence value of 0.00%[reference:41]. The platform had 0 currencies listed according to that data[reference:42].
Low liquidity can lead to wider spreads and difficulty executing large orders without impacting the price.
To verify current assets and liquidity on any exchange:
User experience and customer support quality can significantly impact your trading experience.
Based on limited user feedback, Fisco was considered a "good spot trading platform"[reference:43]. The website was described as informative[reference:44]. However, the exchange had a low user rating of 2 out of 5 based on 2 reviews on Cryptogeek[reference:45][reference:46]. This suggests that user satisfaction may have been limited.
One review from 2021 noted that customer support teams responded quickly to user messages, with Telegram being the best place to communicate with the team, described as "fast, friendly and interactive"[reference:47]. However, this is a single data point and may not reflect the overall support experience.
Information on Fisco's mobile app and advanced trading features is limited. Margin trading was reportedly not available[reference:48].
The table below compares Fisco with other types of exchanges to provide context. Note that Fisco's status has changed significantly following its 2026 exit announcement.
| Feature | Fisco (as of 2026) | Typical Major Exchange (e.g., Binance, Coinbase) | Typical Decentralized Exchange (DEX) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Exiting crypto business | Active, fully operational | Active, fully operational |
| Regulation | Licensed by JFSA (historical) | Varies by jurisdiction (e.g., regulated in multiple countries) | Generally unregulated |
| Trading Pairs | Limited (~2 reported) | Hundreds to thousands | Varies by liquidity pools |
| Fiat Support | JPY (primarily) | Multiple fiat currencies | No fiat; crypto-to-crypto only |
| Native Token | FSCC (promotions halted) | Often has native token (e.g., BNB) | May have governance token |
| Custody | Centralized (exchange holds keys) | Centralized | Self-custody (user holds keys) |
| User Rating | 2/5 (based on 2 reviews) | Typically higher with more reviews | Varies widely |
📌 Note: This comparison is illustrative. Always verify current data and features directly with the respective platforms.
Use this checklist when evaluating any cryptocurrency exchange — including Fisco or alternatives.
Avoid these common pitfalls when assessing a cryptocurrency exchange.
Cryptocurrency exchanges carry significant risks, including but not limited to market volatility, security breaches, regulatory actions, and operational failures. The case of Fisco — a licensed exchange that announced its exit from the crypto business in 2026 — highlights the importance of ongoing due diligence.
This guide is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as a recommendation to use or avoid any specific exchange.
Fisco Cryptocurrency Exchange was a Japanese trading platform founded in April 2016 and headquartered in Tokyo[reference:49]. It operated a centralized exchange focusing on Bitcoin and other digital assets against the Japanese Yen (JPY), and also facilitated coin-to-coin trades[reference:50].
In May 2026, Fisco announced it would exit its cryptocurrency business[reference:51]. Starting from Q1 2026, it ceased reporting its crypto and blockchain segment. The company stopped promoting its FSCC token, canceled its token burn plan, and suspended key features on CLUB FISCO. Users should verify the current operational status directly with the exchange.
In 2018, Fisco Cryptocurrency Exchange acquired the Zaif exchange from Tech Bureau[reference:54]. Zaif had been hacked in September 2018, and Fisco reportedly came under regulatory scrutiny following the management change[reference:55]. Fisco's 2026 exit from crypto marks the end of its involvement with Zaif as well.
Fisco held a license from Japan's Financial Services Agency (JFSA), as required by local law[reference:56]. However, the exchange was also subject to regulatory improvement orders, including one issued in 2019 related to anti-money laundering practices following the Zaif hack[reference:57]. Regulatory status may change as the company exits the crypto business.
Fisco primarily focused on trading Bitcoin and several other digital assets against JPY[reference:58]. The exchange also had its own native token, Fisco Coin (FSCC), launched in 2019, with a maximum supply of 50 million[reference:59][reference:60]. However, trading pairs were limited, with some sources reporting only 2 available pairs[reference:61].
Specific fee structures for Fisco are not widely documented. As a general practice for centralized exchanges, trading fees are typically a percentage of the trade amount, varying by volume and user tier[reference:62]. Deposit and withdrawal fees may also apply[reference:63]. Users should check the exchange's official FAQ or fee schedule directly.
FSCC is the native utility token of the Fisco ecosystem, launched in 2019[reference:64]. It was designed to facilitate transactions, provide liquidity, and support staking and governance[reference:65]. Following Fisco's exit announcement in May 2026, the company halted FSCC promotions, canceled the token burn plan, and suspended related services[reference:66].
If you hold funds on Fisco, you should verify the current operational status and withdrawal options directly with the exchange. Given the company's announced exit from the crypto business[reference:68], it is important to act promptly and consult official communications from Fisco regarding any deadlines or procedures for fund withdrawal.