payments
Samsung Electronics and Rakuten Rewards have rolled out an integrated rewards and payment feature aimed at expanding the functionality of Samsung Wallet for U.S. consumers. Under the newly announced "Samsung Wallet Perks, powered by Rakuten," eligible U.S. Galaxy users can earn cash-back rewards across digital
banking
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG, or SMBC Group) and its operating subsidiaries, led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Sumitomo Mitsui Card, have executed a series of strategic initiatives, demonstrating an aggressive balance sheet alignment and operational modernization strategy designed to maximize Return on Equity (ROE), rationalize Risk-Weighted
venture capital
MUFG Innovation Partners (MUIP), the corporate venture capital subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), has made a strategic investment in San Francisco-based AI cybersecurity firm Doppel. The investment was executed through the MUFG Innovation Partners No. 3 Investment Partnership. Founded in 2022 by CEO Kevin Tian and CTO
venture capital
MUFG Innovation Partners (MUIP), the venture capital arm of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, has backed New York-based financial crime platform One Footprint, Inc. as part of the startup's $25 million Series B round. Capital from the fundraise—which was led by QED with participation from MUIP, Commerce
Economics
For decades, Japan has served as the preeminent cornerstone creditor to the United States, providing a critical stream of capital for American liabilities. However, this relationship is evolving at a precarious juncture for the U.S. external position. By the end of 2025, the U.S. net international investment position
venture capital
SBI Holdings has been the lead investor in a $76 million Series C funding round for EDX Markets, a Chicago-based digital asset technology firm catering exclusively to institutional clients. EDX Markets operates a dedicated trading platform and central clearinghouse designed to provide institutional investors with a highly liquid, low-
Insurance
Sompo International Holdings has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Service Insurance Companies. The transaction, executed through a U.S. subsidiary, will absorb one of the premier monoline specialists in the American workers’ compensation market. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is strategically designed to deepen
payments
Sony Bank has received conditional approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank. The new entity, named Connectia Trust, National Association, is scheduled for formation this month with an initial capital investment of $40 million (approximately ¥6.4 billion)
payments
Tokyo-based FinTech firm Digital Wallet Group (DWG) has launched its flagship remittance platform, Smiles Mobile Remittance, in the United States. The move marks a significant North American expansion for the company as it targets the country's estimated 51.9 million migrant population. Smiles, which launched in 2017
private credit
Nippon Life Insurance Company has signed a memorandum of understanding for a comprehensive strategic partnership with Blackstone, the world's largest alternative asset manager. The alliance focuses heavily on private credit and real estate, aiming to enhance Nippon Life’s asset management capabilities, optimize its risk-return profile, and
digital assets
Laser Digital, the digital asset subsidiary of Nomura Group, has received preliminary conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a de novo national trust bank. The newly approved entity, Laser Digital National Trust Bank, will operate under federal supervision as a wholly owned
venture capital
Across Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, has announced a strategic alliance with Japanese financial services giant SBI Holdings to launch a new investment vehicle aimed at bridging the gap between U.S. innovation and Japanese industry. The new fund, Across Ventures Fund I, L.P., is targeting