artificial intelligence
Mizuho Financial Group has successfully developed a proprietary, finance-specific Large Language Model (LLM) capable of delivering highly accurate, sub-second responses without relying on prolonged AI reasoning processes. Crucially, the new model operates entirely within Mizuho’s secure, on-premise network, allowing the bank to process highly confidential data
ai agents
SMBC Nikko Securities has entered into a strategic collaboration with blockchain infrastructure firm Nethermind, aiming to prototype a secure, compliant gateway for Japanese investors to access Decentralized Finance (DeFi) markets, utilizing advanced "agentic AI" to manage trading and risk. The initiative marks a pivotal step for one of
stablecoins
While the global stablecoin market has swelled to $300 billion following the U.S. enactment of the "Genius Act" in 2025, the sector remains overwhelmingly tethered to the Greenback. Speaking at the MoneyX/WebX conference, executives from Circle Internet Group and Binance debated the path toward a truly
capital markets
Woodstock has completed a sweeping overhaul of its service model, introducing 24-hour trading capability and completely eliminating transaction fees for US stocks. The announcement was made during a media briefing held in Tokyo, where Woodstock CEO Brian Yun outlined the company’s aggressive strategy to capture the burgeoning interest
capital markets
Nissay Asset Management (NAM) has selected Broadridge Financial Solutions to modernize its post-trade operations, becoming the first asset manager in Japan to implement Broadridge’s Mortgage-Backed Securities Trade Assignment Portal (TAP). The announcement signals a shift in the Japanese asset management sector toward digital consolidation, specifically regarding To-
venture capital
enechain Corporation has successfully closed its Series B extension round, raising a total of ¥5.05 billion. The financing was structured through a combination of third-party private placement and additional long-term debt financing (including refinancing) from multiple major banks. Coreline Ventures returned as the lead investor for this
broker/dealer
Japanese-founded and US-headquartered Alpaca, a provider of API-first stock and crypto brokerage infrastructure, has raised $150 million in a Series D funding round, propelling the company’s valuation to $1.15 billion. The round was led by Drive Capital, with participation from major institutional players including Citadel
carbon credit
The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) will introduce a new clearing and settlement service designed specifically for over-the-counter (OTC) carbon credit transactions. The initiative aims to reduce the administrative burden of bilateral trading and support Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) strategy by enhancing market convenience. The service, titled the
corporate venture capital
Interchange, a financial infrastructure company, has completed two significant operational milestones: a $17 million seed funding round, and the receipt of comprehensive regulatory approvals for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Interchange Clearing LLC. The dual announcement positions Interchange as a formidable new entrant in the securities clearing space, a sector historically
broker/dealer
Alpaca, a global leader in brokerage infrastructure APIs providing access to options, stocks, ETFs, fixed income, and crypto, recently announced the launch of US stock execution service for SBI Securities, Japan’s largest online brokerage firm. This announcement provides a broader offering for US stock execution and access in Japan.
corporate venture capital
Raise Financial Services, the innovative fintech company behind the popular stock trading and investing platform Dhan, has successfully concluded a significant Series B funding round, raising an impressive $120 million. This latest investment propels the Mumbai-based company into the coveted unicorn club, with a post-money valuation of $1.
trading
Webull Securities, the Japanese division of US-based Webull Corporation (NASDAQ: BULL), began offering its Japanese stock trading API on August 27, 2025. This addition to the existing US stock trading API (Webull OpenAPI) enables API-based trading functionality for Japanese stocks, making Webull the first major domestic online securities