stablecoin
SBI VC Trade, a consolidated subsidiary of SBI Holdings that operates a cryptocurrency exchange business has completed registration as an "Electronic Payment Instruments Business Operator" (Registration Number Kanto Regional Financial Bureau No. 00001), which will enable SBI VC Trade to be the first to handle the stablecoin "
weekly
Welcome to the one hundred first edition of the Japan FinTech Observer, and welcome to Japan Fintech Week 2025! The Japanese equity market has been lagging so far this year. Topix and Nikkei were down by around 2% and 3% mid-week, respectively, while the Hang Seng Index led with a
banking
The Postal Service Privatization Act requires that Japan Post Holdings dispose of its shares in Japan Post Bank and Japan Post Holdings within the earliest possible timeframe, with the aim of disposing of its shares in its entirety, in light of business conditions of the two financial companies and any
NFT
KDDI will sell NFT sneakers that "fuse" the "STEPN" Web3 lifestyle app, which promotes "movement," and the "INFOBAR" mobile phone in the NFT marketplace "αU market" from Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in a limited edition of 200 pairs. "STEPN&
authentication
The National Police Agency has published a "Draft Order Partially Amending the Enforcement Regulations of the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds". In line with the "Key Plan for Realizing a Digital Society" (Cabinet Decision, June 21, 2024) and the "Comprehensive Measures to
neobank
Osaka-based Senshu Ikeda Holdings, a financial services group that offers banking, securities, leasing, and other services, has been granted a banking license for its digital "01Bank". Senshu Ikeda disclosed its intention to launch a digital bank business in September 2023, and established a preparatory entity in February 2024.
population
In a research note, NLI Research analyzed the 2024 domestic migration trends, when 40 out of 47 prefectures in Japan experienced a "social decrease," meaning a net loss of population due to domestic migration (people moving out exceeding people moving in). Only 7 prefectures had a social increase.
mergers & acquisitions
State Street and Mizuho Financial Group have entered into an agreement for State Street to acquire Mizuho’s global custody and related businesses outside of Japan. These businesses support the overseas investments of Mizuho’s Japanese clients. Mizuho currently operates its global custody and related business outside of Japan through
ethereum
Fracton Ventures is Japan's first Cryoto-specialized incubator, proclaiming itself to be a "Protocol Studio for Ethereum." In 2021, the year of its founding, and the following year in 2022, "Fracton Incubation 2021/2022 Powered by bitbank" was held, and a total of 18 Cryoto
carbon
Nomura Securities has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Shonaikomekobo Corporation for a business collaboration aimed at promoting decarbonization and enhancing agriculture using biochar. Shonaikomekobo is a group of farmers and agricultural successors from the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture in Japan engaged in rice cultivation and other agricultural
venture capital
Announced today, Gojo & Company has acquired a 9.0% stake in CJSC Bank Arvand, a commercial bank in Tajikistan, in November 2024. This is Gojo's second investment in the country following the investment in CJSC MDO “HUMO” in 2021. Arvand is the fourth largest financial institution, including
asset management
Taking advantage of the Tokyo Stock Exchange's “Action to Implement Management that is Conscious of Cost of Capital and Stock Price”, Fivestar Asset Management today launches the Capital Efficiency Improvement Fund (Nickname: "TOB Hunter"), an open-ended, additional type fund investing in domestic (Japanese) equities. The fund