supervision
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) annually establishes examination implementation policies. These policies are updated each year by the BOJ's Policy Board. In 2025, the policy document outlines the approach to onsite examinations and offsite monitoring of financial institutions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding changes in the financial
asset management
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and its subsidiary SMBC Global Investment & Consulting (SGIC) have announced that Ken Kobayashi has been appointed as President and Representative Director of SGIC effective April 1, 2025. By welcoming a professional with over 30 years of experience in the asset management field, SMBC Group aims
mergers & acquisitions
MUFG Bank and JACCS have been working together on group collaboration based on the alliance announced in 2008. Meanwhile, the business environment surrounding both companies has been changing rapidly, including changes in the financial environment and the advancement of digital transformation (DX). In response to these changes, while building upon
digital money
The Bank of Japan's Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies (IMES) is conducting research on legal systems with a focus on digital money. In a newsletter published last week in Japanese, they have introduced some of their latest research findings. 1. What is Digital Money 2. Research Introduction
carbon credit
Asuene and SBI Holdings have made an additional investment of 300 million yen in Carbon EX, which operates a carbon credit and emissions trading exchange. In addition, Asuene has increased its investment ratio in Carbon EX to 51%, making it a consolidated subsidiary. The cumulative investment amount is now 400
capital markets
Nomura Research Institute, Nomura Securities, BOOSTRY, DeCurret DCP, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation collaborated on the issuance of a digital bond using a new settlement scheme, and executed a proof-of-concept for Japan's first securities settlement using digital currency. These steps would expand the market for digital securities and
blockchain
G.U. Technologies Global, which provides web3 solutions such as blockchain infrastructure, including "Japan Open Chain," has launched the DeFi-based "JOC Lending Program". This program allows users to lend their "Japan Open Chain Token" (JOC Coin), the native token of Japan Open Chain, and
cryptocurrency exchange
B2C2, a global leader in institutional liquidity for digital assets, has entered into a partnership with HashKey Exchange, Hong Kong's largest licensed virtual asset platform. This collaboration will integrate multi-currency fiat trading networks, driving market efficiency and further strengthen Hong Kong's status as a premier hub
BaaS
invox has launched a new service called "invox Corporate Transfer" for its "invox Receipt Invoice" service, utilizing the "BaaS by GMO Aozora" banking-as-a-service platform from GMO Aozora Net Bank. Background invox's "invox Receipt Invoice" is a cloud service that streamlines
venture capital
Neobank Zolve, focused on cross-border financial solutions, has raised USD 251 million in equity and debt financing. The Series B round was led by Creaegis and saw participation from HSBC, SBI Investment, GMO Venture Partners, DG Daiwa Ventures, and existing investors Accel, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sparta Group, and DST Global.
corporate venture capital
MUFG Innovation Partners (MUIP), the corporate venture capital arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), has recently invested in Auxia through the MUFG Innovation Partners No. 3 Investment Partnership. The USD 23.5m Series A round was led by VMG Technology Partners, with participation from
asset management
Alyssa Partners, a leading real estate investment management firm focusing exclusively on the Japanese market, has acquired a portfolio of residential assets located in Japan on behalf of The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company. The portfolio consists of 10 stabilized, high-quality multifamily properties located in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. The 669-unit