bitFlyer: a secure, regulated Japanese crypto exchange in the EU, US, and Japan

bitFlyer is a Japanese cryptocurrency exchange founded in January 2014 by Yuzo Kano, a former Goldman Sachs trader. Headquartered in Tokyo, it operates across Japan, the US, and Europe, holding licenses in each jurisdiction.

Key takeaways

Simple buy/sell platform: crypto purchases from €1 with no fees on the basic interface
bitFlyer Lightning: a professional-grade trading interface with futures, margin trading, and over 20 advanced order types
Fiat–crypto pairs: BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, ETC, LSK, MONA tradable with EUR, JPY, USD via SEPA, PayPal, bank transfer

3. Regulation & Compliance

Licensed by the JFSA (Japan), BitLicense by NYDFS (US) since 2017, and CSSF Luxembourg (EU) since 2018
Full KYC/AML compliance, regular audits, and cold wallet storage for over 80% of assets

4. Security

No hacks reported in over 7 years
Security features include multi-signature, SSL EV encryption, 2FA, WAF, and annual audits
Oversight by Ernst & Young enhances institutional trust

5. Volume & Adoption

Over 3.8 million users, €181B in total volume (2022), €6.9B in customer assets
Market leader in Japan (80% of BTC/JPY volume), and one of the only exchanges with triple-regional regulation

6. Fees & Constraints

Basic interface: hidden spreads of ~5–10%, based on user reports
bitFlyer Lightning: very low trading fees, ranging from ~0.015–0.20% depending on volume
Withdrawals: ~€0.30 (EUR), ~€18 for BTC (Lightning network supported)

7. Community Feedback (Reddit)

“Prices are not fair market value” – some users complain about wide spreads “One of the 10–20 trustworthy exchanges… but slow customer support” “They close accounts without warning or explanation”

8. Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

Strict regulation in Japan, US, and Europe
Proven security: no hacks, regular audits
Dual-interface model: suitable for beginners and pro traders
High fiat liquidity with EUR/JPY/USD support

Weaknesses

High spreads on basic interface
Unexplained account closures, especially affecting US expats in Japan
Customer support delays

Platform to buy Bitcoin

Nos partenaires

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Conclusion

Opportunities

Cross-border EUR/JPY trading via bitFlyer Europe increases fiat liquidity
Expanded derivative products (futures, margin, bvote) could drive growth

Threats

Fee-based competition from Kraken, Coinbase, Binance
Account handling inconsistencies hurt trust
Stricter future regulations could challenge its international model

Disclaimer :

Trading is risky and you may lose all or part of your capital. The information provided does not constitute financial advice and/or an investment recommendation

Comparison of the Best Crypto Exchange Platforms

Platform	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages
🥇 Team’s Choice Bitvavo Buy on Bitvavo	European user-friendly platform, ideal for beginners and those seeking portfolio diversification.	Simple interface, competitive fees, European regulation, supports multiple assets.	Not suitable for professional or high-frequency traders.
🥈 Top 2 Binance Buy on Binance	Global leader in crypto trading, offering extensive features and asset variety.	Advanced tools, low fees, high liquidity, wide range of cryptocurrencies.	Can be overwhelming for beginners, regulatory scrutiny in some regions.
🥉 Top 3 BingX Buy on BingX	Social trading-focused platform with strong derivatives offerings.	Copy trading features, good for beginners, supports futures and spot trading.	Limited fiat options, less recognized than top-tier exchanges.
Bitpanda Buy on Bitpanda	Austrian platform offering crypto and traditional assets in one place.	Supports crypto, stocks, ETFs, precious metals, easy to use.	Higher fees, limited advanced trading features.