Japan FinTech Observer | Tontines | ex-Goldman & Barclays Tech MD
venture capital
SBI Holdings has taken the role of lead investor in the Series A funding round for Saladin Consulting and Technology, a technology startup based in Vietnam. This investment was executed through the SBI-NTU-Kyobo Digital Innovation Fund, a Singapore-based fund managed by the SBI Group. The funding round also attracted participation
regulation
In a decisive move to modernize Japan’s financial infrastructure while fortifying consumer protections in the digital asset space, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) has released a comprehensive suite of draft Cabinet Orders and Ordinances related to the impending amendment of the Payment Services Act. Released on December 16, 2025,
central bank
In December 2025, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) submitted its semi-annual "Report on Currency and Monetary Control" to the Diet, covering the developments in the first half of fiscal year 2025 (April through September). The report offers a comprehensive detailed account of the Japanese economy’s performance, financial
mergers & acquisitions
Mizuho Securities, a consolidated subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group, has entered into an agreement with the majority shareholder of Avendus Capital Private Limited to acquire over 60% of the shares of Avendus, subject to regulatory approvals. After completion of the acquisition, Avendus will become a consolidated subsidiary of Mizuho Securities.
stablecoin
SBI Holdings and Startale Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly develop and launch a regulated Japanese yen-denominated stablecoin in compliance with Japan’s financial regulations. Through this Project, SBI Holdings and Startale will combine Startale’s blockchain technology and product expertise including the issue of stablecoin
debt financing
Plata, the Mexican financial technology company, has secured a new financing of up to US$500 million arranged by Nomura Securities International, the largest funding to date for a Mexican digital financial services company. The transaction also sets an important precedent: it marks the first time a Japanese top-tier investment
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred forty-second edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. The week commencing December 15 will very much be the last week of significant business activity for the calendar year. The Diet will have its last session, and the Bank of Japan will raise the policy rate to
insurance agency
Ginsen, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group have agreed to establish a jointly invested insurance agency business company on April 1, 2026. 1. Purpose of Establishing the New Company Against the backdrop of problems such as fraudulent insurance claims and insurance premium adjustment practices in the non-life
Insurance
InsureMO has entered into a strategic partnership with FPT Japan, a subsidiary of FPT Corporation. The partners aim to fully support business reforms at domestic insurance companies, leveraging their extensive experience in nearshore development and their high-quality, cost-competitive development system. InsureMO provides a flexible and scalable middle office platform for
IPO
In response to recent cases of accounting fraud involving companies going public, the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) and Japan Exchange Regulation (JPX-R) are introducing a new set of measures. The primary goal of these new rules is to enhance the quality of the listing examination process and prevent similar fraudulent
artificial intelligence
Mizuho Financial Group has developed a "finance-specialized LLM (Large Language Model)" trained on banking-specific business knowledge, rules, and procedures, which has achieved passing-level performance on banking practical exams. This model has acquired complex industry-specific rules and regulations unique to the financial sector, as well as internal procedures and
corporate venture capital
Interchange, a financial infrastructure company, has completed two significant operational milestones: a $17 million seed funding round, and the receipt of comprehensive regulatory approvals for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Interchange Clearing LLC. The dual announcement positions Interchange as a formidable new entrant in the securities clearing space, a sector historically dominated