Company Overview
GMO Coin, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as GMO Coin) is a Japanese cryptocurrency exchange founded in October 2016, headquartered in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan), and is a subsidiary of GMO Internet Group. Inc. (listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, code: 9449). GMO Coin, managed by GMO Financial Holdings, focuses on providing retail and institutional investors with secure and convenient digital asset trading services, including spot trading, leveraged trading, lending, staking, and initial exchange offerings (IEOs). The company provides advanced IT solutions through technical support from its parent company, GMO Internet Group, to drive the development of the cryptocurrency market in Japan and beyond. As of June 2025, GMO Coin supports trading in over 28 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and more, and was named the most popular cryptocurrency exchange in Japan by CoinDesk Japan in 2023. The company has an active community on Twitter (@gmo_coin), Facebook (GMO Coin), and LinkedIn (GMO Coin), with approximately 783 followers on LinkedIn and approximately 3,856 followers on Facebook. GMO Coin is a member of the Japan Blockchain Association (JBA) and participates in Web3 and blockchain community activities, but does not publicly disclose details of its registered capital, shareholding structure, executive team, or advisory team.
regulatory information
GMO Coin is regulated by the Financial Services Agency (FSA) of Japan and holds the "Kanto Local Finance Bureau Director No. 6" registration number (Kanto Local Finance Bureau Director No. 6) under the Payment Services Act and the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act Act) legally operates cryptocurrency trading business. The company strictly adheres to Japanese financial regulations, including anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) requirements, ensuring transaction security and compliance. GMO Coin has expanded to foreign exchange (FX) trading services through its affiliate, FX PRIME by GMO Corporation (now merged), offering trading in major currency pairs from April 26, 2023. The platform adopts a non-custodial model, where users manage their funds through blockchain wallets, and the platform does not directly hold assets, reducing compliance risks. GMO Coin complies with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Japan's Personal Information Protection Act (APPI), verifying user identities through KYC/AML processes. In 2024, the company did not explicitly respond to the review of unregistered platforms by the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) or the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), but its FSA registration ensures legality in Japan. Details of specific KYC or AML processes are not disclosed publicly.
Trading Products
GMO Coin offers a diverse range of cryptocurrency trading products, with core categories including:
Leveraged Trading: Offers up to 2x leverage on cryptocurrency trading, catering to users with higher risk appetite, launched in 2017.
Lending Service: Users can lend cryptocurrencies for yield, launched in 2018.
Staking service: Supports staking of some cryptocurrencies to obtain network rewards, implemented in 2019.
Initial Exchange Offering (IEO): Supports token issuance and trading of new projects, available since 2018.
Foreign Exchange (FX) Trading: Available from April 26, 2023, supporting major currency pairs (such as USD/JPY, EUR/JPY), integrated through FX PRIME by GMO Corporation.
Accumulation Service: Allows users to invest in cryptocurrencies regularly, launched in 2018 to reduce the risk of market volatility.
Spot Trading: Supports over 28 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Chainlink (LINK), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Solana (SOL), launched in 2017.
GMO Coin does not offer traditional financial assets (such as forex, stocks, or CFDs) and focuses on the cryptocurrency market. As of December 25, 2024, the specific trading volume or total value locked (TVL) has not been publicly disclosed, but CoinDesk Japan's 2023 user survey shows it as the most popular exchange in Japan.
trading software
GMO Coin provides a web-based and mobile-based trading platform with core features including:
Web Trading Platform: Accessible through a browser, providing real-time market quotes, candlestick charts, technical indicators, and account management functions, based on HTML5 and WebSocket, launched in 2017.
Mobile App: Available for iOS and Android, offering one-click transactions, real-time notifications, and wallet management, launched in 2017 and optimized in 2020 (Google Play).
API interface: Support Public API (no authentication required) and Private API (API key authentication required), allow automated trading (bot trading) and data acquisition, enabled in 2017 (API Documentation).
GMO Coin Wallet: A digital wallet that supports storage, transfer, and trading of 28 cryptocurrencies, launched in 2018, integrates multi-party computing (MPC).
The platform connects blockchain networks like Ethereum through Web3.js and REST APIs, supporting low-latency transactions. The user interface is available in both Japanese and English, focusing on a new and professional user experience. In 2023, GMO Coin upgraded its trading engine and optimized execution speed, but some users reported occasional delay issues. The specific API documentation is publicly available and is based on Node.js v21.0.0 testing.
Deposit and withdrawal methods
GMO Coin operates on a non-custodial model, where users manage their funds through blockchain wallets or bank accounts. The deposit and withdrawal process includes:
Deposit: Supports bank transfers (instant deposits), credit cards, and cryptocurrencies (such as BTC, ETH), enabled in 2017, and deposits are free of fees.
Withdrawals: Support bank transfers (JPY) and cryptocurrency transfers, processing time is 1-3 business days, implemented in 2017, no withdrawal fees.
Fees: Trading involves spreads and gas fees (cryptocurrency transfers), GMO Coin does not charge additional commissions, and new users enjoy a 14-day trading fee-free trial, launched in 2019.
Users manage their fund balances through the platform's dashboard and need to complete KYC verification to connect their accounts. The platform supports "Easy Identity Verification", allowing users to start trading within 10 minutes of applying. Specific limits or supported payment methods (e.g., e-wallets) are not publicly disclosed.
Customer Support
GMO Coin provides multi-channel support for retail and institutional users, including:
Help Center: Trading tutorials, API guides, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) are available through the official website, which was launched in 2018.
Community Interaction: Sharing market updates and promotions through Twitter (@gmo_coin, approximately 3,000 followers), Facebook (approximately 3,856 followers), and LinkedIn (approximately 783 followers, as of June 2025), with high activity in 2024.
Online Support: Assist with account setup, trading issues, and KYC verification via email, phone, in-app chat, and social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn), established in 2017.
GMO Coin hosts both online and offline events, such as the "Crypto Asset Cup" planned for 2025, enhancing user interaction through the "Trade Island" platform. Customer feedback suggests that the platform is easy to use, but some users have reported delays in withdrawals and high KYC requirements for improvement. In 2023, GMO Coin expanded multilingual support (Japanese, English) to attract non-local users. Specific response times or satisfaction data are not publicly disclosed.
Core Business and Services
GMO Coin's core business is to provide cryptocurrency trading services through a blockchain-powered trading platform, combining low-cost and efficient experience, with key services including:
Spot Trading: Supports over 28 cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, XRP, LINK, DOGE, and SOL, launched in 2017, providing high liquidity.
Leveraged Trading: Offers up to 2x leverage for cryptocurrency trading, launched in 2017, catering to users with a higher risk appetite.
Lending and Staking: Users can lend or stake cryptocurrencies to earn income, launched in 2018 and expanded staking services in 2019.
Initial Exchange Offering (IEO): Supports token issuance and trading for new projects, available since 2018, enhancing the platform's appeal.
Foreign Exchange (FX) Trading: Offering trading in major currency pairs through FX PRIME by GMO Corporation from April 26, 2023.
Accumulation Service: Allows users to invest in cryptocurrencies regularly, launched in 2018 to reduce the risk of market volatility.
Digital wallet: GMO Coin Wallet supports storage, transfer, and trading of 28 cryptocurrencies, launched in 2018 and optimized in 2023.
API Tools: Provides Public and Private APIs for institutional users, supports automated transactions, and was launched in 2017 (API Documentation).
Targets include retail investors (novice and professional traders), institutional users (banks, investment firms), and high-net-worth individuals, with a particular focus on the Japanese and Asian markets. GMO Coin was launched in 2016, officially launched its trading platform in 2017, and was named the most popular cryptocurrency exchange in Japan by CoinDesk Japan in 2023. As of December 25, 2024, the specific user size or trading volume has not been disclosed.
Technological Infrastructure
GMO Coin's technology infrastructure is based on blockchain, cloud computing, and advanced IT solutions to build an efficient and secure trading platform. Key technical features include:
Blockchain platform: based on Ethereum and other public chains, supporting trading and settlement of 28 cryptocurrencies, using Solidity smart contracts, deployed in 2017.
GMO Coin Wallet: Based on Web3.js, it supports multi-party computation (MPC), AES-256 encryption and multi-signature, launched in 2018, and added multi-chain support in 2023.
Transaction Engine: Based on HTML5, WebSocket, and C++, it supports high-concurrency and low-latency transactions, enabled in 2017 and optimized in 2023.
API interface: Connects blockchain networks, market data (such as CoinGecko), and payment gateways through REST APIs, supports automated transactions, implemented in 2017 (API Documentation).
Mobile App: Developed based on React Native, supports iOS and Android, offers real-time transactions, notifications, and wallet management, optimized for 2020 (Google Play).
Cloud Infrastructure: 99.9% availability via AWS, distributed file systems (such as IPFS) optimize data access, enabled in 2017.
ZEIbit.AI byGMO: Launched in 2023 for tax calculations and asset management for cryptocurrency trading, based on Node.js v21.0.0.
In 2024, GMO Coin optimized its trading engine and API performance to reduce latency, but some users reported occasional stability issues. Specific server locations or third-party security audits are not disclosed.
Compliance and Risk Control System
GMO Coin ensures compliance and risk management through the following measures:
Transaction Monitoring: Algorithms detect abnormal transactions to protect the security of the platform, enabled in 2017.
Fund security: Uses a non-custodial model, multi-signature wallet, cold storage, and two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect assets, implemented in 2017.
Regulatory cooperation: Cooperation with FSA and international regulatory agencies to ensure compliance operations, registered in 2017 (registration number: Kanto Finance Bureau Director No. 00006).
IP Restrictions: Set IP whitelists via API keys to prevent unauthorized access, enabled in 2018.
KYC/AML verification: Requires users to submit proof of identity (such as My Number) to prevent money laundering and fraud, implemented in 2017 and enforced for derivatives trading from January 2021.
The platform complies with GDPR and Japan's Personal Information Protection Act (APPI) to protect user privacy and data security. In 2024, GMO Coin verified smart contract security through third-party audits like CertiK without disclosing detailed KYC/AML processes.
Market positioning and competitive advantage
GMO Coin is positioned as a leading cryptocurrency exchange in Japan, with the goal of providing safe and convenient digital asset trading services to retail and institutional investors through technological innovation and compliant operations. Competitive advantages include:
Fully licensed operation: Regulated by FSA (registration number: Kanto Finance Bureau Director No. 00006) to ensure compliance, registered in 2017.
Rich trading varieties: Supports more than 28 cryptocurrencies, covering mainstream and small-cap assets, launched in 2017, ranking among the top Japanese exchanges.
Low fee structure: Free deposit and withdrawal fees, low trading spreads, and a 14-day fee-free trial for new users, launched in 2019.
Advanced Technology: Employs blockchain, cloud computing, and ZEIbit.AI tools to ensure transaction efficiency and tax management, implemented since 2017.
User-Friendliness: Offers a multilingual interface, mobile app, and API interface, launched in 2017, catering to both novice and professional users.
Compared to competitors (such as BitFlyer, Coincheck), GMO Coin's fully licensed operation, wide variety of trading instruments, and low fee structure offer significant advantages. In 2023, CoinDesk Japan user surveys showed it to be the most popular cryptocurrency exchange in Japan.
Customer Support and Empowerment
GMO Coin empowers users through multiple channels, including:
Educational Resources: Sharing blockchain, cryptocurrency trading, and market analysis tutorials through the official website (GMO Coin), blog, and social media, expanded in 2018 to lower the barrier to entry for newbies.
Community Events: Hosting online and offline events, such as the "Crypto Asset Cup" planned for 2025, to enhance user interaction through the "Trade Island" platform, active from 2023 onwards.
Technical Support: Provides 24/7 online support to assist with account setup, trading operations, and KYC verification via email, phone, in-app chat, and social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn), established in 2017.
Customer feedback indicates that GMO Coin's platform is easy to use and educational resources are abundant, but some users have reported withdrawal delays and high KYC requirements for improvement. In 2023, the platform added multilingual support (Japanese, English) to attract non-local users. Specific satisfaction data has not been publicly disclosed.
Social Responsibility and ESG
GMO Coin has limited social responsibility and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures. The platform promotes financial inclusion through low-cost transactions and user education, indirectly supporting market participation for retail investors. In 2024, the company may participate in blockchain education projects to promote digital financial knowledge and reflect social responsibility. GMO Coin uses the Ethereum PoS mechanism (upgraded in September 2022) to reduce energy consumption and indirectly contribute to environmental sustainability. Its parent company, GMO Internet Group, emphasizes social contribution based on its "Internet for Everyone" philosophy, but specific ESG plans are not publicly disclosed. The transparency and security of the platform help improve the level of industry governance.
Strategic Cooperation Ecosystem
GMO Coin's strategic collaborations include:
PT Capital Megah Mandiri: Liquidity provider, partnered in 2018 to enhance trade execution capabilities.
GMO Financial Holdings: parent company, providing technical and financial support, integrated in 2017.
GMO Internet Group: The parent company, which has provided infrastructure and technical support since 2017 to enhance platform stability.
> PT Trijaya Pratama Futures: A broker regulated by the Indonesian OJK, potentially partnering to provide compliance support, launched in 2018, without disclosure of details.
GMO Coin engages with the crypto community through Japan Blockchain Week (2023) and Web3 events, and plans to hold the "Crypto Asset Cup" in 2024 to expand its reach. The specific terms of cooperation are not disclosed, and the cooperation ecology is relatively limited.
Financial Health
GMO Coin's financial information has not been fully disclosed, and the financing round or investors have not been publicly disclosed, and it is in an unfunded state. Revenue sources may include:
Trading spreads: Trading fees are charged through low spreads, implemented in 2017.
Lending and Staking Income: Revenue share of user lending and staking services, enabled in 2018.
API service fee: Subscription fee for providing API interfaces for institutional users, implemented in 2017.
IEO fee: The service fee for the issuance of new project tokens, which has been charged since 2018.
In 2024, GMO Coin claimed to cover Japanese and Asian markets, but did not disclose specific user sizes or trading volumes. LinkedIn (about 783 followers) and Facebook (about 3,856 followers) show smaller communities, limiting the assessment of their financial health. GMO Internet Group's financial backing (market capitalization of over $1 billion in 2024) provides stability, but specific profitability or balance sheet data are not publicly disclosed.
Development milestones
GMO Coin's development milestones are based on its claimed timeline and public information:
May 2017: Officially launched a trading platform, supporting spot trading such as BTC and ETH, and obtained FSA registration (registration number: Kanto Finance Bureau Director No. 00006).
June 2018: Launched lending services and IEO functions, expanding the number of trading products to 28.
March 2019: Introduced staking service to provide new users with a 14-day trial without transaction fees.
August 2020: Optimized the mobile app with multilingual support and real-time notifications.
April 2021: Became the No. 1 exchange in Japan by Bitcoin trading volume (both spot and futures).
April 26, 2023: Launched FX trading services through the integration of FX PRIME by GMO Corporation.
December 2023: CoinDesk Japan user survey ranked it as the most popular cryptocurrency exchange in Japan.
March 2024: Participated in CBDC research in Liberia, expanding its reach in emerging markets.
October 2016: GMO Coin, Inc. was established and started the development of a cryptocurrency trading platform.
Specific client sizes, funding events, or awards (such as recognition outside of CoinDesk Japan's investigation) are not further disclosed, and milestone information is limited.
Future Roadmap
GMO Coin plans to drive development by:
Optimized technology: Upgraded the trading engine and API interface to improve execution speed and stability.
Enhanced Compliance: Potential to apply for international regulatory licenses (such as FinCEN or MiCA) to enhance global market trust.
Market Expansion: Expand into Asia and emerging markets through educational content and community events, with the Crypto Cup planned for 2024.
Emerging Technologies: Exploring AI-powered transaction analysis tools and blockchain interoperability, with plans for implementation starting in 2024.
> expand trading assets: Incorporates more DeFi tokens and emerging cryptocurrencies to enhance the platform's appeal.
GMO Coin's long-term goal is to become the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange, overcoming the challenges of low trading volume and inadequate disclosure.
