stablecoin
SBI Holdings-owned B2C2, a global leader in institutional liquidity for digital assets, has launched PENNY, the industry’s first zero-fee stablecoin swap solution. As the number of different stablecoins grows worldwide—each with different issuers, blockchains, and redemption processes—institutions face mounting operational complexity in managing liquidity across this fragmented
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred thirty-fourth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. Another day, another record high for the Nikkei 225 - by the time I hit sent on this weekly report, we might well have crossed the 50,000 index level for the first time. Obviously, one of the
banking
In a significant signal that global financial giants are eager to establish regulated footing in the U.S. digital asset market, Sony Bank has formally applied to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank. Dated October 6, 2025, the application outlines plans
crypto
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has published its 100+ page "Thematic Review on FSB Global Regulatory Framework for Crypto-asset Activities," from which we have extracted all information related to the regulatory environment in Japan for Crypto-Asset Activities (CA) and Global Stablecoin Arrangements (GSC). Regulatory Framework Summary (Overall Status)
stablecoin
Soramitsu and Soramitsu CBDC have launched consulting and development support services for domestic Japanese business operators. These services support the design, construction, and operation of stablecoin issuance systems in compliance with the Payment Services Act and other regulations. This service extends the national-scale infrastructure development expertise in central bank digital
mergers & acquisitions
Binance Japan has entered into a capital and business alliance agreement with PayPay, a cashless payment service provider. Through this partnership, PayPay has acquired a 40% stake in Binance Japan. This partnership represents a collaboration between PayPay, the leading cashless payment company used by over 70 million people in Japan,
crypto
Gumi, a name long synonymous with Japan's vibrant mobile gaming industry, has signaled one of the most decisive strategic shifts in its history. The company last week announced a landmark capital raise of approximately ¥5.7 billion (roughly $38 million USD) through the issuance of stock acquisition rights.
crypto
SBI Crypto, which operates a crypto asset mining business overseas, has confirmed the unauthorized leakage of crypto assets. The company is currently conducting an investigation to determine the cause and the amount of the outflow, but it is believed that the impact on its consolidated financial results will be minor.
joint venture
Zodia Custody, the institutional digital asset custodian backed by Standard Chartered, and Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings have mutually agreed to terminate their much-anticipated joint venture, "SBI Zodia Custody," nearly two years after its inception. The venture, which aimed to provide bank-grade crypto-asset custody for institutions in Japan,
crypto
Over the past week, there were two additional announcements regarding SBI Group's strategic expansion within the Japanese cryptocurrency market. These key developments include a new partnership between SBI VC Trade and Convano for large-scale Bitcoin operations and SBI FX Trade's launch of crypto CFDs, underpinned by
regulation
The second meeting of the Financial System Council's Working Group on Crypto Assets, held on September 2, 2025, highlights a significant push in Japan towards strengthening crypto asset regulation, primarily by considering a shift from the Payment Services Act (PSA) to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA)
cryptocurrency exchange
Coincheck Group, the holding company of Coincheck, one of Japan’s leading crypto asset exchanges, has entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire Aplo, a digital asset prime brokerage for institutional crypto investors. Pursuant to the agreement, all issued and outstanding shares of Aplo are to be exchanged for