payments
Japanese financial powerhouse SBI Group, through its Canton Network-focused entity SBI Digital Practice (SBIDP), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with South Korean digital asset software provider Nodeinfra to build a stablecoin-based cross-border payment network. Dubbed Project Musubi, the joint initiative aims to overhaul traditional foreign exchange
digital assets
After an already busy week of announcements, SBI Holdings has further added to its next-generation digital asset footprint, announcing a major cross-border acquisition in Singapore alongside a global tokenization partnership with U.S.-based Ondo Finance. The dual announcements underscore SBI’s aggressive pursuit of building a "
digital assets
Following the signing of a Letter of Intent in May 2026, SBI Holdings' board of directors has approved a definitive agreement to turn cryptocurrency exchange bitbank into a wholly-owned subsidiary. The transaction will be executed through SBI’s specialized unit, SBICAH LLC, and involves a total acquisition cost
digital assets
SBI Group has taken two additional steps in the "on-chain" financial economy, executing a dual-track strategy designed to command both global infrastructure and domestic distribution. By securing a stake in the $222 million pre-sale for Circle’s "Arc" Layer 1 (L1) blockchain while
cryptocurrency exchange
Japanese telecommunications major KDDI Corporation (TYO: 9433) has agreed to acquire a 14.9% stake in digital asset platform Coincheck Group N.V. (NASDAQ: CNCK) for approximately USD 65 million. The deal pairs a significant equity investment with a strategic business alliance aimed at expanding mainstream cryptocurrency and digital asset
crypto
2026 legislative reforms will transition the oversight of crypto-assets from the Payment Services Act to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA). By categorizing crypto-assets as investment products rather than simple payment methods, the government aims to strengthen investor protection and market integrity. The transition introduces rigorous disclosure
digital assets
SBI Holdings has communicated a three-pronged strategic initiative designed to cement its dominance in the Japanese digital finance sector. By executing a Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire bitbank, establishing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Visa, and launching a high-yield crypto-reward credit card, the group
credit card
bitbank and Epos Card - the fintech arm of retail giant Marui Group - have launched the "EPOS CRYPTO card for bitbank", debuting as the first credit card in Japan to allow consumers to settle monthly liabilities directly from cryptocurrency exchange holdings. According to research conducted by both bitbank and
cryptocurrency exchange
Credit Saison, a leading Japanese credit card issuer, and Coincheck, a premier domestic cryptocurrency exchange, have entered into a business alliance agreement to lower the barrier to entry for digital asset investment by integrating cryptocurrency services into the daily financial routines of Credit Saison’s extensive cardholder base. The collaboration
payments
Netstars, a leading provider of multi-cashless payment solutions, has launched "StarPay-X," a gateway concept designed to bridge the gap between traditional Web2 payment infrastructure and the emerging Web3 financial ecosystem. The initiative represents a critical step for Netstars as it seeks to transition from a QR-
crypto
pafin Inc. has released a command-line interface (CLI) for cryptact, its industry-leading crypto tax platform. The tool is designed to integrate cryptact’s profit-and-loss calculation engine directly into developer environments and automated AI workflows. Key Features and Capabilities * Direct Engine Access: Developers and power users can
digital asset treasury
BITPOINT Japan, a subsidiary of the SBI Group, has entered into a landmark four-party strategic partnership to integrate Distributed Validator Technology (DVT) into its Ethereum management infrastructure for corporate clients. The alliance sees SSV Labs, the developers of the world’s largest DVT protocol "SSV Network," joining