payments
NETSTARS has formalized a partnership with the blockchain provider Aptos to advance the integration of Web3 payment solutions into mainstream finance. This collaboration centers on the StarPay-X initiative, a gateway concept designed to merge traditional Web2 financial systems with decentralized technologies like stablecoins. By leveraging the high-speed Layer 1 blockchain
venture capital
Two of Japan's most influential institutional players are formalizing a high-capacity "bridge" to the American startup market. KDDI Corporation, a titan in Japanese telecommunications, and the University of Tokyo Innovation Platform (UTokyo IPC), the investment arm of Japan's premier public university, have announced strategic
payments
Netstars, a leading provider of multi-cashless payment solutions, has launched "StarPay-X," a gateway concept designed to bridge the gap between traditional Web2 payment infrastructure and the emerging Web3 financial ecosystem. The initiative represents a critical step for Netstars as it seeks to transition from a QR-code payment aggregator
web3
A focused finance session in Osaka followed by two main conference days in Tokyo—this was my firsthand experience at WebX 2025. I have combined on-site observations, in-depth conversations, trend insights, and policy interpretations to offer those who could not attend a more vivid and complete sense of being there—
venture capital
SBI Investment, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings which manages and operates venture capital funds, has completed fundraising for the “SBI Digital Space Fund”, with total capital commitments reaching JPY 100 billion. In March 2023, the SBI Group established SBI PE Holding as an intermediate holding company to oversee its private
web3
Coincheck has entered into a strategic partnership with MynaWallet, a company providing a web3 wallet solution utilizing the Japanese government-issued My Number Card. Prior to this collaboration, Coincheck Group N.V., which is Coincheck’s parent company, made an investment in MynaWallet. MynaWallet is currently developing a service called “MynaWallet,
venture capital
SMBC Nikko Securities will make a strategic investment in Fund 3 established by Hashed Venture, a global blockchain-focused venture capital firm. In March 2020, SMBC Nikko Securities established the "Nikko Open Innovation Lab (NOIL)" as a new business development division, and has been exploring new business models that
corporate venture capital
CryptoGames, a developer of blockchain games, has launched “CG Ventures” as a new corporate venture capital business. To date, CG Ventures has invested in 17 companies, mainly in the Web3 field, where CryptoGames expects business synergy, but going forward they will also consider investing in the trading card field. Investment
web3
Futureverse, a leader in AI and metaverse technology, has officially launched RakutenWallet.Pass in partnership with Rakuten Wallet. Starting today, Rakuten Wallet's users will now have access to onboard seamlessly to an upgraded version of the RakutenWallet.Pass, unlocking web3 benefits like digital ownership and access to immersive
NFT
SyFu has entered into a strategic partnership with KDDI, one of Japan’s largest telecommunications companies, to launch an exclusive “KDDI × SyFu” MANEKINEKO NFT. This special NFT will be available within the SyFu GameFi ecosystem, powered by the SyFu Web3 lifestyle app, and offered through a dedicated minting platform, providing
web3
Digital Asset Markets has formed a strategic partnership with Intertrade, a software house for financial institutions and a shareholder of DAM, and Fireblocks, a digital asset infrastructure provider, to support the creation of Web3 infrastructure for Japanese companies. Background Financial services based on Web3 technology have undergone rapid technological innovation
blockchain
KDDI has decided to participate as a node validator in the Bifrost Network. Through this partnership, KDDI will contribute to strengthening security on the Bifrost network and support its penetration into the Japanese market. KDDI has re-affirmed this partnership by listing Bifrost as one of its key Web3 initiatives during