Startale Group and SBI Holdings announced JPYSC, a yen-denominated stablecoin backed by a trust bank and built to meet Japan’s regulatory framework, targeting a Q2 2026 launch. This would be the first trust-backed yen stablecoin in Japan.
SBI Holdings will issue on-chain bonds that pay interest in XRP as part of a push to expand crypto-linked financial products. The offering ties a traditional debt instrument to the altcoin and could influence demand and liquidity for XRP.
SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao denied the firm holds $10 billion in XRP, while confirming a substantial equity stake in Ripple Labs. The clarification aims to quell rumors about extreme token concentration and underscore SBI’s strategic tie to Ripple.
Japan’s Financial Services Agency unveiled a draft policy pushing mandatory, exchange-wide cybersecurity standards for crypto trading platforms, signaling a regulatory shift from asset-level protections to comprehensive defenses. The move aims to curb increasingly sophisticated attacks and bolster market trust.
SBI VC Trade has expanded its crypto lending program to include XRP, SHIB, BTC and additional tokens, allowing users to earn interest by lending holdings. The Japan-based exchange arm of SBI Group said the move broadens on-platform earning options and could support market liquidity.
Nikkei reports Japan plans to approve cryptocurrency ETFs by 2028, marking a key step toward mainstream adoption. The move arrives amid intensifying competition from other Asian financial hubs.
Dogecoin announced expansion plans with two Japanese companies, the House of Doge said Saturday. The initiative aims to boost local adoption and could provide a catalyst for DOGE prices if partnerships advance.
Japanese exchange operator Coincheck agreed to acquire Canadian asset manager 3iQ in a $112 million all-stock transaction, gaining control of a leading manager of regulated crypto investment products. The move broadens Coincheck’s reach into institutional and fund-based crypto offerings across Japan and Canada.
Ripple confirmed a strategic collaboration with Mizuho Bank, SMBC Nikko, and Securitize Japan to launch an innovation initiative aimed at professionalizing the XRP Ledger ecosystem and accelerating XRPL adoption across Japan’s financial market. The move highlights growing institutional interest in XRPL for payments and tokenization.
Metaplanet, a Japan-listed firm focused on Bitcoin, has purchased 4,279 BTC to start 2026, reinforcing ongoing corporate accumulation trends in the market. The move underscores continued institutional interest from Japan and could tighten available supply on exchanges.