Age, residency, and who can open an account
- Author
- CRYPTO PORT Editorial
- Published
- Updated
- Reading time
- 5 min
In short
Not everyone can open an exchange account on the same terms. Age, country of residence, and occupation can all mean an application is declined or needs extra checks. The conditions differ by provider and do change, so always read the current terms of the specific exchange you are considering.
Key points
- Minors may be unable to apply, or may face additional conditions
- If you do not reside in Japan, a domestic exchange may not be open to you
- Some occupations and positions trigger extra checks or restrictions
- The specifics vary by provider — do not rely on a general rule
Definition
The conditions — age, residency, occupation and similar — an exchange applies when deciding whether to open an account. They reflect both legal requirements and each provider's own policy.
On age, many Japanese providers do not accept applications from minors at all, and those that do typically require additional steps such as guardian consent. The threshold differs between providers and a single provider may change its policy. This page deliberately does not state a number — check the terms and the account-opening page of the exchange you are considering.
Residency matters too. Registered domestic exchanges generally assume you live in Japan; moving abroad can mean your account is restricted or you are asked to close it. In the other direction, overseas providers may not be permitted to solicit residents of Japan. If you live abroad, or expect to, you need to check both the law where you live and the provider's own acceptance criteria.
Occupation and position can also trigger checks. People connected to financial institutions, and people holding public positions along with their families, may face additional verification under anti-money-laundering rules. This is a defined procedure, not an accusation.
If you do not meet the conditions, decline to apply rather than looking for a way around them. Using a family member's name or misstating where you live breaches the terms and may break the law. The practical outcome is a frozen account and assets you cannot withdraw.
Watch out for
- · Eligibility rules differ by provider and can change without notice
- · Applying in a family member's name or misstating residency leads to frozen accounts and possible offences
- · Meeting the conditions does not mean you should proceed
Frequently asked questions
I live abroad — can I use a Japanese exchange?
It depends on the provider, and often you cannot. Rules in your country of residence apply as well, so check both the exchange's terms and local regulation.