SBI, Startale Signal Institutional Path for Yen Stablecoins in Japan
SBI Holdings and Startale Group have signed an MoU to develop a regulated Japanese yen-denominated stablecoin aimed at tokenized asset markets and global settlement. The stablecoin will be issued and redeemed by Shinsei Trust & Banking, an SBI subsidiary, and its circulation will be supported by SBI VC Trade, a licensed crypto exchange. Planned for launch in Q2 2026 pending regulatory approvals, the initiative seeks to support Japan's transition to a token economy, enabling integration of digital and traditional financial services domestically and internationally. This move aligns with Japan’s broader effort to formalize stablecoin issuance, following recent pilots by major banks within a regulatory sandbox overseen by the Financial Services Agency. SBI has advanced its stablecoin integrations, including support for Circle’s USDC and a partnership with Ripple for the RLUSD stablecoin in Japan. The SBI and Startale stablecoin is designed for cross-border settlements, tokenized equities, and real-world asset flows.
