digital assets
SBI VC Trade, a consolidated cryptocurrency exchange subsidiary of SBI Holdings, announced the launch of "JPYSC Lending," marking Japan's first trust-based, Japanese Yen-denominated stablecoin lending service. Applications for the new asset-generation product will open on July 16, 2026, with the official lending period
venture capital
Funds, Inc., the Tokyo-based FinTech operator of the direct financial platform "Funds," has finalized its Series E funding round, securing approximately JPY 4.8 billion in a final close. The latest capital injection pushes the company’s total equity raised since inception to approximately JPY 8.8
banking
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has announced significant financial backing for three major industrial ventures in the United States as part of a bilateral Strategic Investment Initiative. These projects focus on developing a deep-water crude oil export terminal in Texas, establishing natural gas power facilities integrated with
banking
Daiwa Securities Group has announced the ¥370 billion acquisition of ORIX Bank Corporation (OBK) in a move to immunize its earnings against market volatility. This transaction represents a decisive step in Daiwa’s "Passion for the Best 2026" management plan, shifting the group’s weight toward a stable,
real estate
estie, a leading provider of commercial real estate data and industry-specific AI, has entered into a capital and business alliance agreement with The Norinchukin Bank, with a view to modernize the real estate finance sector. The partnership aims to accelerate digital transformation (DX) within Norinchukin’s real estate investment
artificial intelligence
SoftBank Group has signaled a return to its high-octane investment roots, having secured a staggering $40 billion bridge loan to bankroll its deepening partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI. The unsecured facility, which matures in March 2027, represents a significant escalation in Chairman Masayoshi Son’s quest to dominate the
growth capital
Funds Inc., the operator of the fixed-yield investment platform "Funds," has launched its first South Korean-linked vehicle: the Baree Mobility EC Fund #1. This marks a significant milestone for the Tokyo-based FinTech firm as it accelerates its push to become a premier global platform for
stablecoin
SBI VC Trade, the cryptocurrency arm of Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings, has launched Japan’s first licensed stablecoin lending service, marking a significant milestone in the integration of US dollar-pegged digital assets into the Japanese regulated financial ecosystem. To celebrate the launch, the firm is offering an aggressive
banking
NCR Voyix (NYSE: VYX) has reached a definitive agreement to sell its Japanese bank technology solutions business to Tokyo-based IT giant NTT DATA, further streamlining its global portfolio, The transaction, which includes the operations of NCR Commerce Japan, is expected to close by the end of 2026. While financial
venture capital
Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Holdings is accelerating its expansion into the Middle East, co-leading an investment in the Saudi Arabian digital microfinance startup Muhlah Zamaniyah for Finance. Executing the deal through a subsidiary, SBI partnered with Riyadh-based startup studio BIM Ventures as co-lead investors. The financial terms
digital
Within the contemporary Japanese financial landscape, digital transformation has become a fundamental survival mechanism for the regional banking sector. The Hokkoku Digital Banking Overdraft service represents this shift, moving beyond incremental product improvement to redefine how regional financial institutions facilitate capital velocity for local enterprises. This comprises a fundamental reimagining
artificial intelligence
Sakana AI and Mitsubishi UFJ Bank (MUFG) announced that their co-developed "AI Loan Expert" system is advancing to a real-world testing phase following a successful six-month proof of concept (PoC). The project, a cornerstone of the comprehensive partnership announced by the two firms in 2025,