Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred seventieth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. What a night đ˘ After witnessing first Japan, and then Germany exit the World Cup, your opportunistic author shifted his allegiance to our friendly Dutch neighbors, only to.....well, as you see, I will likely have to switch colors
payments
Nomura Holdings has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Circle Internet Financial to develop and scale digital finance solutions across global markets, with a specific focus on Japan. The partnership will center on exploring the capabilities of on-chain financeâconducting financial transactions and settlements directly on blockchain networks.
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred sixty-ninth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. This week, we are excited to have new subscribers join us from the UniversitĂŠ de Tunis, Alpha Bank, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation (Bank of Russia), SBI Holdings USA, Inc., and SMBC Group, among others
capital markets
GMO Coin, a consolidated subsidiary of the GMO Internet Group, and BridgeWise, a global provider of investment-focused artificial intelligence, have entered into a long-term strategic partnership. The alliance aims to deliver advanced, AI-driven financial insights tailored specifically for Japanese retail investors. The collaboration marks a significant milestone
capital markets
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Carbon EX have established a strategic partnership to provide a comprehensive J-Credit creation and trading service. This collaboration aims to assist businesses in achieving carbon neutrality by facilitating the certification and exchange of greenhouse gas reduction and absorption amounts. While SMBC identifies and
capital markets
In May, the Asia Society Japan hosted a discussion to examine the forces reshaping corporate Japan, with the following popular panelists participating: * Jesper Koll (Moderator): A well-known economist, strategist, and prominent "Japan optimist." He has spent decades analyzing Japanese macroeconomics and capital markets. He frames the discussion,
digital assets
Ericsenz Capital, a Singapore-based investment firm licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), has announced the successful completion and settlement of Asiaâs first physically deliverable Bitcoin Dual-Currency Note (BTC DCN). The three-month institutional digital asset product, which launched in December 2025, was distributed by SBI
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred sixty-eighth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. This week, we are excited to have new subscribers join us from BlackRock, DZ BANK AG, the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and Rakuten, among others đ The Bank of Japan concluded its June Monetary Policy
capital markets
FUNDINNO reported earnings for the second quarter of its fiscal year ending October 2026, covering its key performance indicators, specifically highlighting the growth in gross merchandise value (GMV) and the expanding number of registered professional investors across its primary and secondary equity platforms. However, due to a challenging startup investment
capital markets
The recently held Market Restructuring Council discussed the findings of a 2026 survey conducted by the Tokyo Stock Exchange to identify the primary hurdles facing companies in the Growth Market. Data gathered from 145 organizations reveals that while business strategy and resource shortages are significant concerns, the most pressing issues
capital markets
Carbontribe Labs, a Japanese-founded and Estonia-based environmental data and API platform provider, has partnered with Japanese utility major J-POWER (Electric Power Development) to validate a new data infrastructure aimed at elevating natural capital data to institutional investor standards. The joint initiative leverages artificial intelligence and blockchain technology
venture capital
Vinyl Equity, a Chicago-based financial technology infrastructure provider and SEC-registered transfer agent, has raised $20 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Jump Capital, with prominent strategic participation from MUFG Innovation Partners (MUIP), the corporate venture capital arm of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.