Skip to content
StockAccess
Japan · SPY

How to buy the S&P 500 in Japan

Good news: Pump.fun doesn't block Japan, so you can buy SPYx — a token that stands for one share of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) — with a few dollars of crypto, Apple Pay or a card. Here's how.

Updated

The quick version

S&P 500 on Pump.fun

Look for SPYx in the Stocks tab

Token
SPYx by xStocks, on Solana
Tracks
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), NYSE Arca
Fees
0.40% with a referral code, plus network and swap fees
Paying in
Apple Pay or debit/credit card via Deposit in the app, or send SOL/USDC. Options vary by country.
Try Pump.fun

Referral link: we get part of the trading fee. Details. Not available in the UK, Russia and some other countries.

How it works

Screenshots from the Pump.fun app, October 2026. Prices are just examples.

  1. Pump.fun Stocks tab listing Tesla, Micron, SK hynix, the QQQ ETF and Pre-IPO tokens with prices

    1.Open the Stocks tab

    Tesla, Micron, the QQQ ETF and more, priced in dollars. Heads up: the “Pre-IPO” ones aren't shares in those companies.

  2. Pump.fun page for the Micron (MU) stock token showing its chart, a verified badge and a green trade button

    2.Pick the stock you want

    Tap a stock to see its chart, then hit the green button to trade. Check for the badge next to the name so you get the real token, not a lookalike.

  3. Pump.fun buy screen entering 5 USDC for Micron with a 0.4% fee shown above the Submit button

    3.Buy with USDC

    No crypto yet? Tap Deposit and top up with Apple Pay (Apple Card works too) or a debit or credit card. The fee shows before you hit Submit — 0.40% with a referral code.

Try Pump.fun

Referral link: we get part of the trading fee. Details. Not available in the UK, Russia and some other countries.

The screenshots show Micron. For the S&P 500, search for SPYx in step 2 and check the badge next to the name.

What you're actually buying

SPYx stands for one share of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). xStocks holds the real SPY shares and you hold the token. You get the price moves and reinvested dividends. You don't hold SPY shares in your own name.

The S&P 500 is an index of about 500 of the biggest US listed companies, from Apple and Nvidia to banks and supermarkets. SPY, run by State Street, is the oldest US fund that tracks it, so one share gives you a small slice of all of them.

Other ways to get exposure to the S&P 500

Good to know in Japan

  • Crypto exchanges serving people in Japan must register with the FSA, which warns about unregistered overseas operators. Check its list before you sign up.
  • Japanese brokers also sell real US shares, which may be the simpler route.
  • Gains may be taxable. A local tax adviser can tell you how.

Who regulates this

Full guide for Japan

Questions people ask

Can I buy the S&P 500 from Japan?

Pump.fun doesn't block Japan, so you can buy SPYx, a token that stands for one share of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). We haven't checked Japan's own tax and legal rules yet, so look at the notes on this page and the regulator's website first.

Is SPYx the same as owning SPY?

Not quite. SPYx is issued by xStocks, which holds real SPY shares to back each token 1:1. You get the price moves and reinvested dividends, but you hold a claim on the issuer, not SPY shares in your own name.

How much does it cost to buy SPYx?

Pump.fun charges 0.40% platform fee per trade with a referral code, plus Solana network fees and any third-party swap fees. If you top up with Apple Pay or a card, the payment provider may add its own fee.

Do I need a US broker to buy the S&P 500?

Not for the token. You buy SPYx with crypto in the Pump.fun app. If you want real SPY shares in your name, you'd need a broker that accepts people living in Japan.

Other stocks in Japan

Buying the S&P 500 from somewhere else?

Sources (11)
  1. 1.
    SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) fund page

    State Street Global Advisors · official

  2. 2.
    S&P 500 index page

    S&P Dow Jones Indices · official

  3. 3.
  4. 4.
    Financial Services Agency (FSA)

    Financial Services Agency (FSA) · regulator

  5. 5.
  6. 6.
    Pump.fun Fees page

    Pump.fun · platform

  7. 7.
  8. 8.
    xStocks partner FAQ

    xStocks · official

  9. 9.
    Crypto asset exchange providers and registration

    Financial Services Agency · regulator

  10. 10.
    Tax treatment of crypto assets (December 2025)

    National Tax Agency · official

  11. 11.
    Crypto asset tax FAQ

    National Tax Agency · official

Last updated .