bitcastleFX doesn't say it accepts clients outside Japan, and its funding is built around Japan: accounts are in yen and bank deposits go through Japanese banks. On its Japanese help centre the methods are bank transfer, Peska, card via PayPal, STICPAY (yen or US dollars) and crypto, all credited in yen. The minimum is ¥500 on every account, the maximum ¥10 million per deposit, and bitcastleFX charges no deposit fee. You can deposit only after identity checks, and card deposits can't be withdrawn for 60 days.
Before anything else: eligibility
bitcastleFX doesn’t state that it accepts clients outside Japan. Its FX service is in Japanese only, accounts are in yen, and its bank deposits are designed for Japanese banks. If you live outside Japan, get written confirmation from its support that your country is accepted before sending money. Japan’s Financial Services Agency warned its operator, bitcastle LLC, in April 2025: is bitcastleFX safe?.
The figures below are from bitcastleFX’s Japanese help centre, read on 31 October 2026.
Deposit methods
From the available payment methods article:
| Method | Currency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | JPY | Submit a deposit request first, then transfer |
| Peska (bank transfer) | JPY | |
| Card via PayPal | JPY | Deposited amount locked for 60 days |
| STICPAY | JPY, USD | Two-factor authentication required on the STICPAY account |
| Crypto | n/a | Converted to yen on arrival |
Whatever you send, the account is credited in yen. For someone outside Japan, that means a currency conversion on the way in and again on the way out, on top of any bank charges. See deposit methods explained.
Minimums, maximums and fees
- Minimum: ¥500 on Standard, Emperor and AI investment accounts
- Maximum: ¥10 million per deposit, with no daily, monthly or yearly cap
- Fees: none charged by bitcastleFX; your bank’s transfer fee is yours
What you need first
Deposits open once your identity verification is approved and your account reaches “Level 4”. You also need your profile (name and so on) filled in; deposits without it are refused. The steps are in how to open a bitcastleFX account.
If you want the deposit bonus
The tiered deposit bonus (up to 160%) applies to yen deposits into Standard accounts, and only if you:
- Enter the campaign before depositing
- Deposit at least ¥5,000 at a time (smaller deposits don’t even count towards the cumulative total)
- Don’t transfer or withdraw before the credit arrives (3–4 business days)
Details: bitcastleFX bonus.
The 60-day card rule
For anti-money-laundering reasons, amounts deposited by card (credit or debit) can’t be withdrawn for 60 days from the deposit date. The rule applies to the combined balance of all your FX accounts, not just the one you funded. Profits can still be withdrawn by bank transfer, STICPAY or crypto within those 60 days. If you expect to withdraw soon, a bank deposit is simpler: bitcastleFX withdrawals. General card advice: funding by credit card.
Brokers with clearer international funding
If you’re outside Japan, brokers that publish their accepted countries and local methods are easier to fund: see the low minimum deposit comparison and crypto deposits explained. Back to the bitcastleFX review.
Related
Deposit methods at other brokers
Frequently asked questions
What is bitcastleFX's minimum deposit?
¥500 on Standard, Emperor and AI investment accounts. The maximum is ¥10 million per deposit, with no daily, monthly or yearly cap.
Can I deposit in US dollars?
Only through STICPAY. Everything else is in yen, and every deposit is credited to the account in yen.
Does bitcastleFX charge deposit fees?
No fee on bitcastleFX's side. Your bank's transfer fee, and any currency conversion, is yours.
What's the 60-day card rule?
Amounts deposited by card can't be withdrawn for 60 days, and you must keep at least that amount across all your FX accounts. Profits can be withdrawn by bank, STICPAY or crypto in the meantime.
