Japan FinTech Observer | Tontines | ex-Goldman & Barclays Tech MD
stablecoin
Digital Platformer and JPYC have commenced a joint study aimed at mutual cooperation between Japan's first Japanese Yen-pegged stablecoin "JPYC" and the deposit-backed token "Tochika," launched by Hokkoku Bank in April 2024, as well as the construction of a business alliance model with regional
banking
As Japan's largest megabank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) occupies a central position in both the domestic and global financial landscape. The company's recent disclosure of strong half-year financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2026 provides a clear window into its current operational momentum
crypto mining
Pivotal Trend Service (PTS) has announced the official launch of its flagship digital asset product, PMN (Pivotal Mining Note), on Republic, marking a significant milestone for the global digital securities industry. PMN becomes the first Japan-originated Security Token Offering (STO) to be compliantly offered in the United States, and the
mergers & acquisitions
Tokio Marine Holdings (TMHD) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Agrihedge (Commodity & Ingredient Hedging, “CIH”) for USD970 Million (Approximately JPY150.0 Billion). The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 (January to March 2026) subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals. Background
cryptocurrency exchange
Binance Japan and PayPay have launched a PayPay Money integration service for Binance Japan's spot cryptocurrency trading (Simple Buy mobile and web versions). This service allows users to purchase cryptocurrencies through PayPay Money deposits and charge PayPay balance with PayPay Money from cryptocurrency sales proceeds. This integration service
asset management
SBI Holdings has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with AllianceBernstein, one of the world’s leading active investment firms with more than 50 years of history, for the establishment of a joint venture company in Japan specializing in active ETF management. AB is an active investment firm with assets
payments
On its 5th anniversary since business launch, UPSIDER's cumulative number of client companies has exceeded 100,000, and the cumulative transaction volume of its corporate card "UPSIDER" and invoice card payment service "Shiharai.com" has surpassed ¥1 trillion. Reaching 100,000 Companies in 5
SaaS
SmartHR, a leading cloud-native human resources management platform, and General Atlantic, a leading global investor, have announced a US$96 million (JPY¥14.6 billion) strategic minority investment from General Atlantic into SmartHR. General Atlantic acquired its stake in SmartHR from Coral Capital, which will remain a committed minority shareholder.
trust bank
During the first half of fiscal year 2025 (1HFY2025), Sumitomo Mitsui TRUST delivered an exceptional financial performance, culminating in a record-high net income. This robust result was driven by the successful execution of its strategy across three core pillars: strong growth in underlying business profit, a significant positive reversal in
Insurance
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, a subsidiary of MS&AD Insurance Group, has agreed to acquire an 18% equity interest in Barings, an asset management company and wholly owned subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance (“MassMutual”), from MassMutual for a total investment of USD 1.44bn. Background of the Investment MS&
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred thirty-eighth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. We are up to the neck in earnings season, and have included ten quarterly reports in this edition. Among them, Infcurion and Sony Financial (again) present their first results as a public company. We will cover the mega
life insurance
For the first half of fiscal year 2025 (FY25.1H), Sony Financial Group delivered a Group Consolidated Adjusted Net Income of ¥45.9 billion, based on IFRS Accounting Standards. This result represents a 4.8% decrease (¥2.3 billion) compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. The