banking
MUFG's third quarter earnings significantly exceeded expectations, driven by strong performance in customer segments, capital markets-related business, gains from strategic shareholding sales, and equity method investment income (particularly from Morgan Stanley). Net income is already at 99% of full-year guidance. MUFG expects a positive impact from the BOJ&
broker/dealer
Nomura reported strong financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024/25, with significant year-over-year (YoY) growth in net revenue, income before income taxes, net income, EPS, and ROE. All business segments (Wealth Management, Investment Management, and Wholesale) contributed to this growth. The company highlighted its robust financial
cashless
DG Financial Technology (DGFT), a subsidiary of Digital Garage, has implemented its shared QR code payment solution "Cloud Pay" in the "GT-4200", a newly released cashless parking payment machine by Amano Corporation, a major parking system company that accounts for approximately 60% of the domestic market
bitcoin
Blockstream, the global leader in Bitcoin-powered financial infrastructure, is expanding its global footprint with the opening of a new Tokyo office, marking a major advance in Bitcoin’s evolution in Japan and throughout Asia. Partnering with Diamond Hands, Japan’s leading Bitcoin strategic consultancy, and Fulgur Ventures, a top investor
accelerator
Aptos Horizon, a premier Web3 accelerator, is now accepting applications for its transformative 10-week program, scheduled to run from April 14 to June 23, 2025, in Osaka. Designed to empower ambitious Web3 teams from around the globe, Aptos Horizon offers an unparalleled platform to scale blockchain solutions and build meaningful
cryptocurrency exchange
OSL Group, a publicly listed company (863.HK) fully dedicated to digital assets, has renamed CoinBest to OSL Japan, following the successful completion of its acquisition. As a publicly listed company, OSL Group is audited by a 'Big Four' accounting firm, ensuring high standards of transparency and compliance,
payments
Mercari's FinTech business represents a crucial pillar in the company's diversified portfolio, leveraging its established marketplace platform to offer financial services and payment solutions. The company recognizes that fostering financial inclusion and creating seamless transactional experiences for its users is a key driver of long-term growth.
CBDC
The Bank of Papua New Guinea, in cooperation with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and FinTech company Soramitsu, has successfully completed a proof of concept for the country's central bank digital currency (CBDC), Digital Kina. The Digital Kina's PoC utilizes cutting-edge technology
stablecoin
Hokkoku Financial Holdings and its group company The Hokkoku Bank have started offering "Ishikawa Tochipo" points issued by Ishikawa Prefecture using the digital local currency service "Tochituka," which is jointly provided with Digital Platformer. "Ishikawa Tochipo" will be introduced as part of the utilization
banking
MUFG reported a strong financial performance for the first three quarters of the fiscal year ending in March 2025, highlighting record-high net operating profits (NOP) and net income, driven by robust customer segment growth, gains from equity sales, and increased earnings from equity method investments. The earnings release also addresses
Weekly
Welcome to the ninety-seventh edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. Here you can view the future of Japan: Musashino University's Entrepreneurship Musashino Campus (EMC GLOBAL) held its academic year-end event and pitch contest, also including regional winners from the Philippines, Singapore, and India. The quality of the pitches
fintech
Money Forward, with a fiscal year that runs from December to November, reported fiscal year 2024 results last week. While these numbers came in largely in line with expectations, the forecast for fiscal year 2025 rattled investors. The shares went "limit down" on Wednesday, and continued sliding on