payments
Circle Internet Group has officially launched the public mainnet for Arc, its institutional Layer-1 blockchain network designed for high-speed settlement, tokenized asset movement, and automated economic applications. Japanese powerhouses SBI Group and Sumitomo Corporation have joined the network’s founding validator cohort, playing a direct role in block
venture capital
Singapore-headquartered digital payments firm dtcpay has finalized a USD 25 million Series A funding extension. The top-up round was anchored by Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Group, investing through its subsidiary SBI Ventures Asset Pte Ltd and the SBI-NTU-Kyobo Digital Innovation Fund. The Series A round was
payments
The Kaia DLT Foundation has struck strategic partnerships with Tokyo-listed payment gateway Netstars and digital asset solution provider HashPort. The dual announcements position Kaia—an EVM-compatible Layer-1 public blockchain created through the merger of Kakao’s Klaytn and LINE’s Finschia—to bridge decentralized finance with everyday
payments
Tokyo-based payment gateway operator NETSTARS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore’s imToken to explore integrating the non-custodial Web3 wallet with NETSTARS’ "Stablecoin Pay" infrastructure. The initiative aims to advance real-world stablecoin adoption at physical retail locations in Japan and examine broader expansion
regional revitalization
The "Pioneering Financial Market Formation Support Project" is a strategic catalyst program designed to solidify Osaka’s trajectory toward becoming a premier Global Financial City. By providing the capital necessary for proof-of-concept (PoC) initiatives, the Osaka Prefectural and City governments are accelerating the real-world implementation
payments
Coincheck, the core digital asset exchange subsidiary of Monex Group and Nasdaq-listed Coincheck Group N.V., has completed registration as an Electronic Payment Instruments (EPI) Service Provider. The regulatory clearance, issued by the Kanto Local Finance Bureau under registration number 00002, formally positions Coincheck as only the second crypto
payments
Digital Garage, JCB, and Lawson have signed a basic agreement to conduct a proof-of-concept (PoC) for stablecoin payments at retail locations. The initiative aims to test the viability of Circle's USD Coin (USDC) for in-store transactions, focusing primarily on inbound foreign tourists. Starting August 20,
payments
Blockchain infrastructure developer Datachain, a subsidiary of Speee Inc. (TSE: 4499), announced the launch of a proof-of-concept (PoC) trial for its unified cross-chain API platform. The initiative aims to bridge enterprise data with on-chain financial systems to power programmable B2B payments using tokenized deposits and stablecoins.
venture capital
Stablecoin infrastructure provider Yellow Card has closed a $40 million strategic funding round, bringing its total equity financing to over $120 million. The latest capital injection was led by major institutional and venture backers, including SC Ventures (Standard Chartered's innovation arm), Sony Innovation Fund, Polychain Capital, and Blockchain
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
payments
Digital Garage (TSE Prime: 4819) announced the commercial launch of its "DG Stablecoin Payment Service" (DG SPS), a specialized payment infrastructure designed to integrate stablecoin transactions into Japan's existing merchant and payment network. The system will initially be deployed to major payment service providers, including JCB—
digital assets
Nomura-backed digital asset firm Laser Digital has made a strategic investment in ZIGChain and entered into a partnership with its product layer, ZIG Markets, to launch institutional-grade onchain financial products. The investment amount and specific token valuation were not disclosed. The collaboration aims to address a gap in