Japan FinTech Observer | Tontines | ex-Goldman & Barclays Tech MD
weekly
Welcome to the one hundred eleventh edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. For many, this was a three-day working week. For some, it was a four-day working weekend. Reading the announcements of Sony Bank's migration to a new core banking system reminded us of our own time in
cloud
Sony Bank, in collaboration with Fujitsu, has launched a next-generation digital banking system built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), revamping its core banking system. The financial industry environment is evolving with technological advances. As customer needs diversify, there is increasing demand to improve customer satisfaction through enhanced convenience and value
stablecoin
Kaia has collaborated with Tether, the largest company in the digital assets industry, to integrate native USD₮ on the Kaia network. Through this launch, Tether and Kaia aim to strengthen USD₮’s dominance in Asia as the world’s largest USD-backed stablecoin with over 400 million global users by leveraging
digital identity
TOPPAN Edge and Partisia, a Danish software company specializing in cryptography, will conduct a proof-of-concept test at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) from June to September this year. The purpose of the test is to establish a secure and highly convenient digital student ID using
ecommerce
Seedflex Technologies, a Singapore-based FinTech platform co-founded by two former Grab executives, has raised a $3.2 million seed extension round co-led by Z Venture Capital (ZVC), the corporate venture capital firm owned by LY Corporation, and Iterative. The funding also saw participation from existing investor 500 Global and strategic
stablecoin
This Sushi Tech panel discussion centered around the stablecoin revolution and its implications for mass adoption in Japan and Asia. The discussion highlighted stablecoins as cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, often pegged to reliable assets such as the US dollar, to mitigate volatility. The panelists, experts in the
venture capital
This Sushi Tech panel discussed the theme of "Rethinking Japan's Startup Ecosystem: Priorities for the Next Decade." Moderated by Akio Tanaka, Founding Partner of Headline Asia, the panel consisted of industry experts who offered their perspectives on the current state of Japan's startup landscape,
venture capital
Global VCs are increasingly drawn to Japan, recognizing its evolving tech scene, strong research capabilities, and a rising generation of talent embracing entrepreneurship. They seek startups with global visions, a "Silicon Valley" mindset, and the potential to disrupt industries beyond Japan's borders. While Japan's
ASEAN
The panel discussion emphasized the opportunities and challenges for startups in the Southeast Asian region. It highlighted the need for realistic valuations, strategic collaborations, a deep understanding of local markets, and a focus on long-term commitment in order to succeed in the region. In short, relationships are key in Southeast
neobank
SBI Sumishin Net Bank (SSNB) has delivered a strong financial performance for the Fiscal Year 2024, concluded on March 31, 2025. The results are characterized by robust growth in both income and profitability, although slightly missing targets on ordinary profit (95% of forecast), mortgage loan origination (97%), and number of
regional bank
Chiba Bank has constructed an "Analysis and Marketing Foundation" in collaboration with NS Solutions and Nippon Information and Communication to pursue "Advanced One-to-One Marketing". By utilizing this foundation, Chiba Bank will deliver optimal information and proposals to each customer at the most appropriate timing. In recent
metaverse
Bandai Namco Entertainment, a leading game publisher in Japan, has launched the Gundam Metaverse on AWS, the world’s leading cloud provider, for fans across the globe. The Gundam Metaverse is delivered using the new Amazon GameLift Streams capability on AWS, providing a virtual space where fans of the Gundam