GMO Japan Exchange Review: Ultra-Low Fees Japanese Cryptocurrency Platform
Introduction
GMO Japan (GMO Coin) is a licensed cryptocurrency exchange operated by GMO Internet Group, one of Japan's largest internet companies. Established in 2017, GMO Japan has become a leading digital asset platform in Japan, offering ultra-low trading fees and a comprehensive range of cryptocurrency services. The exchange is fully regulated by the Financial Services Agency (FSA) of Japan, ensuring high standards of security and compliance.
Trading Fees
Spot Trading Fees
- Maker Fee: 0.01%
- Taker Fee: 0.05%
- Minimum Fee: ¥0
Additional Fees
- Deposit Fee: Free for JPY bank transfers
- Withdrawal Fee:
- JPY: ¥400 per withdrawal
- Cryptocurrency: Varies by asset
- Futures Trading: Not available
Supported Cryptocurrencies
GMO Japan supports a carefully curated selection of major cryptocurrencies:
Major Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Ripple (XRP)
Additional Assets
- Stellar (XLM)
- Basic Attention Token (BAT)
- OMG Network (OMG)
- Tezos (XTZ)
- Qtum (QTUM)
- ENJ (Enjin Coin)
- DOT (Polkadot)
- ATOM (Cosmos)
- ADA (Cardano)
- MKR (Maker)
- DAI (Dai)
- LINK (Chainlink)
Regulatory Compliance & Security
Japanese Regulation
- Licensed by Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA)
- Compliant with Japanese cryptocurrency regulations
- Segregated customer funds
- Regular regulatory audits
Security Features
- Cold storage for majority of funds
- Multi-signature wallets
- Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- SSL encryption
- Regular security audits
- Insurance coverage for digital assets
Pros and Cons
Advantages
✅ Ultra-low trading fees - Among the lowest in Japan
✅ Fully regulated - FSA licensed and compliant
✅ Established company - Backed by GMO Internet Group
✅ Strong security - Cold storage and insurance
✅ JPY trading pairs - Direct fiat trading
✅ User-friendly interface - Easy for beginners
✅ Mobile app - Full-featured mobile trading
✅ Customer support - Japanese language support
Disadvantages
❌ Limited to Japan - Geographic restrictions
❌ Limited cryptocurrency selection - Fewer altcoins
❌ No futures trading - Spot trading only
❌ Language barrier - Primarily Japanese interface
❌ KYC requirements - Strict identity verification
❌ Withdrawal limits - Daily and monthly limits
Account Setup
Registration Process
-
Visit GMO Japan Website
- Go to coin.z.com
- Click "新規口座開設" (New Account Registration)
-
Personal Information
- Full name (Japanese residents only)
- Date of birth
- Address in Japan
- Phone number
- Email address
-
Identity Verification
- Upload government-issued ID
- Proof of address
- Selfie verification
- Wait for approval (1-3 business days)
-
Account Activation
- Receive verification code by mail
- Complete phone verification
- Set up 2FA authentication
Requirements
- Must be a Japanese resident
- Age 18 or older
- Valid Japanese identification
- Japanese bank account
Trading Guide
How to Buy Cryptocurrency
-
Deposit JPY
- Bank transfer from Japanese bank
- Instant bank transfer (some banks)
- Convenience store payment
-
Place Buy Order
- Select cryptocurrency pair
- Choose order type (market/limit)
- Enter amount
- Confirm transaction
-
Order Types
- Market orders
- Limit orders
- Stop orders
- OCO orders
Trading Interface
- Simple mode for beginners
- Advanced mode for experienced traders
- Real-time charts and indicators
- Order book and trade history
- Portfolio management tools
Security Measures
Fund Protection
- 100% cold storage for customer funds
- Multi-signature security
- Segregated customer accounts
- Insurance coverage for digital assets
Account Security
- Two-factor authentication mandatory
- Email notifications for all activities
- IP address whitelisting
- Session timeout protection
- Anti-phishing measures
Customer Support
Support Channels
- Phone Support: Available during business hours
- Email Support: 24/7 response
- FAQ Section: Comprehensive help center
- Live Chat: Available on website
Support Quality
- Japanese language support
- Knowledgeable staff
- Quick response times
- Detailed documentation
Mobile Application
Features
- Full trading functionality
- Real-time price alerts
- Portfolio tracking
- Deposit and withdrawal
- Security settings management
Availability
- iOS App Store
- Google Play Store
- Regular updates and improvements
Educational Resources
Learning Materials
- Cryptocurrency basics guide
- Trading tutorials
- Market analysis
- Security best practices
- Regulatory updates
Market Information
- Real-time price data
- Market news and updates
- Technical analysis tools
- Economic calendar
Institutional Services
Corporate Accounts
- Business account options
- Higher trading limits
- Dedicated support
- API access for trading
API Trading
- REST API for trading
- WebSocket for real-time data
- Comprehensive documentation
- Rate limiting and security
Conclusion
GMO Japan stands out as one of Japan's premier cryptocurrency exchanges, offering ultra-low trading fees and strong regulatory compliance. The platform is ideal for Japanese residents looking for a secure, regulated, and cost-effective way to trade cryptocurrencies. While the exchange is limited to Japanese residents and offers a smaller selection of cryptocurrencies compared to global exchanges, its strong backing by GMO Internet Group, excellent security measures, and competitive fee structure make it an attractive option for Japanese crypto traders.
The exchange's focus on compliance, security, and user experience, combined with its ultra-low fees, positions it as a leading choice for both beginner and experienced traders in the Japanese market.
Rating: 4.1/5 - Excellent for Japanese residents seeking low-cost, regulated cryptocurrency trading.
