payments
Stripe held its "Stripe Payment Summit 2025" to introduce its latest initiatives, announcing new features including PayPay online version and card installment payments, as well as a new partnership with DeNA. Stripe processes $1.4 trillion in payments (approximately 210 trillion yen), equivalent to about 1.3% of
insurtech
Guidewire announced a $60 million investment over the next five years to expand its operations in Japan and accelerate the delivery of capabilities tailored to the unique needs of Japanese insurers. This investment will enhance Guidewire's platform, empowering Japanese insurers to drive profitable growth, increase business and IT
venture capital
Hana Network, which enables cryptocurrency and fiat currency transactions without the need for exchanges, has raised an additional 300 million yen from investors across different countries in April 2025 in preparation for its upcoming product launch, bringing the total amount raised to approximately 900 million yen. Regarding the Funding Round
SaaS
Money Forward reported strong Q1 FY2025 results, demonstrating significant year-over-year (YoY) growth in sales (23%), SaaS ARR (26%), and adjusted EBITDA, achieving record highs. The company is confident in achieving its full-year forecast. Key strategic initiatives highlighted include a proactive approach to potential macroeconomic risks (specifically related to US tariff
cashless
In the current issue of the Nomura Research Institute's "Financial Information Technology Focus", Daisuke Tanaka lays out projections for individual payment instruments through 2030, based on available 2023 data. According to various statistical data, the total amount of cashless payments in 2023 (defined here as the
alternatives
Keyaki Capital, a Tokyo-based, VC-backed, and tech-enabled financial services platform led by CEO Taiki Kimura, announced the official launch of its Online Private Asset Investment Platform. This platform is the first of its kind in Japan to exclusively offer private equity, private credit, and other private asset investment funds online
BaaS
Money Forward has decided, by a resolution of its Board of Directors, that it will enter into a basic agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation regarding the establishment of a preparatory company to consider the provision of BaaS/digital banking, and that it concluded the
SME finance
Mizuho Bank and ORIX Corporation have concluded a basic guarantee agreement for unsecured business loans targeting medium and small enterprises. New business loans with ORIX guarantees are scheduled to begin on May 1, 2025. The focus will be on companies with sales of 5 billion yen or less, with 30,
cashless
PayPay Corporation has launched a new payment method, "PayPay Bank Balance," starting April 15, 2025. This payment option is available through the PayPay Bank app provided by PayPay Bank Corporation. Payments made through the PayPay interface within the PayPay Bank app will be directly debited from the Japanese
factoring
Money Forward has decided to make Biz Forward, which develops online factoring services and billing agency services for small and medium-sized enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary. The Money Forward Group provides financial services such as inter-company payment and billing agency services through Money Forward Kessai and Biz Forward. As part
cashless
Digital Garage and its payment business subsidiary, DG Financial Technology, have partnered with the All Japan Real Estate Association (Zennichi), which comprises about 30% of real estate companies nationwide, to provide "Rabby Pay Powered by Cloud Pay Neo" service to over 35,000 Zennichi member companies nationwide using
cross-border payments
Digital Wallet Corporation (DWC), owner and operator of Smiles Mobile Remittance, Japan’s most popular mobile international money transfer provider, has launched “TAX REFUND JAPAN,” a new service designed to support the revised tax-free shopping system for inbound tourists. This first-of-its-kind service from a licensed funds transfer provider in Japan