Japan FinTech Observer | Tontines | ex-Goldman & Barclays Tech MD
digital identity
In a move to fortify digital security and streamline customer experience, two MS&AD Insurance Group subsidiaries—Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance and Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance—have adopted the Authlete backend service to implement OpenID Connect (OIDC) across their customer platforms. The deployment, executed by the group’s IT arm
bnpl
Global video game commerce platform Xsolla has moved to strengthen its transactional infrastructure in the Japanese market, announcing a strategic integration with Paidy, the country’s dominant Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider. The partnership integrates Paidy directly into Xsolla Pay Station, allowing game developers to offer card-free checkout options
regional bank
In an inspired move, Hyakugo Bank is bringing its personnel system into the 21st century. After the first quarter of said century has already passed, Hyakugo Bank has discovered a fundamental commitment to the people who are the bank's foundation, reshaping how they are supported, developed, and rewarded
corporate venture capital
Mumbai-based Aerem Solutions has secured $15 million in a Pre-Series B round led by the SMBC Asia Rising Fund. While the deal size may appear modest against the backdrop of global infrastructure finance, its strategic implications are profound, marking the intersection of Japanese institutional capital’s search for yield and
prime broker
In a move to modernize Japan’s securities infrastructure, SBI Holdings has announced a strategic partnership with U.S.-based FinTech infrastructure firm Clear Street Group. The agreement includes a $50 million strategic investment by SBI into the New York-based firm and outlines plans to establish a joint venture in
stablecoin
In a move aimed at bringing blockchain-based settlements to the mass market, JPYC Inc., the issuer of the yen-pegged stablecoin JPYC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LINE NEXT, the U.S.-based Web3 subsidiary of tech conglomerate LINE Yahoo. The partnership explores the integration of the JPYC
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred forty-seventh edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. A unicorn was born through Alpaca's latest funding round. As if we knew this was coming, we are pleased to announce that Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer Hitoshi Harada will join the next Tokyo FinTech Meetup
blockchain
The year 2026 represents a critical inflection point for the Japanese blockchain industry. A clear consensus has emerged among industry leaders and experts: the market is undergoing a decisive shift away from speculative narratives and towards demonstrable utility, comprehensive regulatory integration, and sustainable business models. This transition marks the end
foreign exchange
In a bid to accelerate the shift from savings to assets among Japanese households, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC Group) has announced the immediate launch of a new service allowing individual customers to accumulate foreign currency deposits via credit card payments. This initiative—a collaboration between Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
stablecoin
JPYC, the prominent Japanese Yen-pegged stablecoin, is set to undergo a significant stress test in the physical retail environment, moving beyond the digital realm to power real-world transactions through Japan’s My Number Card system. In a move that signals the increasing convergence of Web3 assets and traditional payment infrastructure,
neobank
Infcurion has announced its formal participation as a design and development partner for "Trunk," a comprehensive digital financial service for corporate clients operated by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC Group). Infcurion is integrating new functionality into the platform that leverages its proprietary "Winvoice" infrastructure. This integration
alternatives
In a significant evolution for Japan’s alternative investment sector, Tokyo-based Mercuria Investment (MIC) has unveiled plans to launch the country’s first open-ended aircraft fund managed by a domestic firm. The initiative, dubbed "MACH OE," represents a strategic shift in how Japanese institutional capital accesses the global