digital assets
The global financial system is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the rapid emergence of digital assets. Understanding the nuanced shifts in investor behavior and sentiment is no longer a niche concern but a strategic imperative for financial institutions, regulators, and market participants. This post provides a data-driven analysis of
stablecoin
Startale, the Web3 fintech company and core developer behind the Soneium blockchain, has launched the Startale USD (USDSC), a new digital dollar designed to anchor the ecosystem’s financial infrastructure. The issuance leverages the stablecoin-as-a-service platform M0 to manage backend liquidity and compliance. The move signals a strategic shift for
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 dominated
biometrics
NEC Orchestrating Future Fund, an ecosystem-based corporate venture capital (CVC) fund, has invested in PopID, a U.S.-based provider of face authentication payment services. The investment strengthens NEC’s position in next-generation digital transactions by combining its world-leading biometric authentication technology with PopID’s rapidly growing payment platform. Together,
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.
crypto mining
Pivotal Trend Service (PTS) has announced the official launch of its flagship digital asset product, PMN (Pivotal Mining Note), on Republic, marking a significant milestone for the global digital securities industry. PMN becomes the first Japan-originated Security Token Offering (STO) to be compliantly offered in the United States, and the
mergers & acquisitions
Tokio Marine Holdings (TMHD) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Agrihedge (Commodity & Ingredient Hedging, “CIH”) for USD970 Million (Approximately JPY150.0 Billion). The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 (January to March 2026) subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals. Background
SaaS
SmartHR, a leading cloud-native human resources management platform, and General Atlantic, a leading global investor, have announced a US$96 million (JPY¥14.6 billion) strategic minority investment from General Atlantic into SmartHR. General Atlantic acquired its stake in SmartHR from Coral Capital, which will remain a committed minority shareholder.
Insurance
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, a subsidiary of MS&AD Insurance Group, has agreed to acquire an 18% equity interest in Barings, an asset management company and wholly owned subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance (“MassMutual”), from MassMutual for a total investment of USD 1.44bn. Background of the Investment MS&
mergers & acquisitions
Tokio Marine Holdings' wholly-owned subsidiary, Delphi Financial Group has agreed to acquire a majority stake in ACORE CAPITAL, one of the leading U.S. commercial real estate investment managers. The transaction further strengthens ACORE CAPITAL's decade-long relationship with one of the largest global insurance groups. This acquisition
mergers & acquisitions
NEC Corporation and CSG Systems International have announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which NEC will acquire CSG for US$80.70 per share in cash, for a total enterprise value of approximately US$2.9 billion, or JPY438.5 billion, including debt. The transaction price represents
mergers & acquisitions
Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) has acquired the Collector Vehicle Division from Ignyte Insurance, a Carlyle-backed portfolio company. The transaction, valued at $615 million, brings four of the most respected names in collector vehicle insurance into the PHLY family: American Collectors Insurance, J.C. Taylor Insurance, Condon Skelly and Heacock Classic.