Secured Finance AG, the Japanese-founded, Swiss-based developer of the Secured Finance DeFi protocol, has integrated tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) into its lending platform, marking a significant step in bridging traditional capital markets with decentralized finance. Under the new partnership with DigiFT, a regulated exchange for real-world assets, users can now
The Osaka Exchange (OSE)—a subsidiary of the Japan Exchange Group—has selected Nasdaq (NDAQ) to provide the technology backbone for its next-generation derivatives platform. Under the agreement, OSE will deploy Nasdaq’s Eqlipse Trading and Market Surveillance platforms. The deal represents a significant modernization effort for the Japanese exchange,
Penguin Securities has completed its Pre-Series A financing round, bringing the Singapore-based group’s cumulative funding to USD 18 million. The announcement signals a continued appetite among investors for infrastructure plays that bridge the gap between the burgeoning digital asset economy and traditional financial markets. The funding round was structured
Japanese financial services giant SBI Holdings and Web3 infrastructure firm Startale Group have formally unveiled "Strium," a joint venture aimed at establishing a dominant blockchain infrastructure for the Asian capital markets. The project represents the first major deliverable from the strategic partnership the two entities formed in August
DG Financial Technology (DGFT), the payment processing subsidiary of Digital Garage (TSE Prime: 4819), has expanded its unified QR code payment solution, "Cloud Pay," to include support for "AEON Pay." This integration connects DGFT’s merchant network with the extensive user base of AEON Financial Service.
SMBC Nikko Securities has established a "DeFi Technology Department" to capitalize on Japan’s evolving digital asset landscape. The new division is tasked with spearheading the brokerage’s expansion into decentralized finance (DeFi) and crypto asset services, anticipating major legislative overhauls expected later this year. The creation of
The Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) has established a joint investment framework in Vietnam with Saigon Securities (SSI), a leading private securities firm in Vietnam. The launch comes at a pivotal moment for Vietnam’s capital market, as FTSE Russell has upgraded Vietnam to Secondary Emerging Market status and the
In a dual-pronged strategy to combat a saturated domestic market and capitalize on global FinTech adoption, Japanese financial services group Credit Saison has announced a major expansion of its international footprint alongside a targeted new product launch in Japan. The Tokyo-based credit card issuer confirmed this week that it plans
Welcome to the one hundred forty-ninth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. The one hundred-fiftieth edition will arrive in your inbox post the February 8 election. If you are looking to meet in person this week, you will find us at the Japan Stablecoin Summit No. 2, the JBA Meetup
Nomura Holdings’ third-quarter results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, provide a clear validation of the firm’s "2030 Management Vision." Achieving a Return on Equity (ROE) of 10.3%, the group has now successfully met its 8%–10% target range for the seventh consecutive quarter.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC Group) continues to demonstrate exceptional momentum as of the third quarter of FY3/2026, benefiting significantly from the normalization of the Japanese macro-financial landscape. The results through December 31, 2025, indicate a robust transition into a higher-interest-rate environment, with top-line growth fueled by domestic margin
Global payments giant Visa and Southeast Asian payment gateway Omise have announced a strategic partnership to fortify Thailand’s digital commerce infrastructure. The collaboration introduces Visa’s Network Token solution to the Thai market, a technological shift aimed at mitigating online fraud while simultaneously increasing transaction approval rates for local