Apple has quietly removed several cryptocurrency exchange apps from Japan’s App Store at the request of local authorities.
As reported by Yahoo Japan, mobile apps for Bybit, KuCoin, Bitget, MEXC, and LBank are no longer available for download in Japan’s App Store. These exchanges were previously warned by Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) for operating without the necessary registration.
Interestingly, not all unlicensed exchanges have been impacted. Searches for terms like “crypto assets” or “virtual currency” still yield results for apps from exchanges such as Crypto.com and CoinEx.
Bybit confirmed the removal in a Feb. 6 blog post, reassuring users who had already downloaded the app that they would still be able to use it without issues. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or concern this may cause. Please note that this does not affect Bybit’s services in any way. We continue to serve Japanese-speaking customers, and all functions, including deposits, withdrawals, and trading, remain fully operational. All customer accounts and assets are securely protected,” the exchange wrote.
As of now, Japanese authorities have not issued any public statements regarding the removals. The timing of the action is notable, as it comes just weeks after the FSA called for stricter internal audits and more oversight for crypto exchanges. In a press release from late December, the FSA mentioned plans to update its guidelines to align with international standards. The regulator also hosted a roundtable discussion in January focused on improving internal audits at financial institutions, though details from that meeting were not disclosed.
