SBI Expands Blockchain Footprint with Stablecoins and Tokenized Assets
Japan’s leading financial conglomerate, SBI Group, has entered into strategic partnerships with Circle, Ripple, and Startale to accelerate blockchain adoption in the country. The collaborations focus on stablecoin development and the creation of an advanced trading platform for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs).
SBI announced separate agreements with Circle, the issuer of USDC, and Ripple, developer of the XRP Ledger and RLUSD stablecoin. The partnership with Circle includes forming a joint venture to promote USDC adoption in Japan, targeting new use cases in Web3 and digital finance.
Ripple, on the other hand, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to distribute Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan through SBI VC Trade. According to SBI, the stablecoin is expected to be available by the fiscal year ending March 2026.
“The introduction of RLUSD will not just expand the option of stablecoins in the Japanese market, but is a major step forward in the reliability and convenience of stablecoins,” said Tomohiko Kondo, CEO of SBI VC Trade.
Startale Partnership to Build Tokenized Asset Platform
SBI also unveiled a joint venture with Singapore-based Web3 firm Startale to develop a 24/7 onchain trading platform for tokenized stocks and RWAs. This initiative aligns with the global trend toward tokenization, enabling real-time settlement, enhanced liquidity, and greater capital efficiency.
“We expect this movement to lead to the digitalization of capital markets themselves,” noted SBI CEO Yoshitaka Kitao, highlighting the long-term vision of merging traditional finance and decentralized platforms.
The technical details of the platform remain undisclosed, but Startale is known for its work on Sony’s layer-2 blockchain Soneium and Astar Network, indicating a strong blockchain infrastructure for this project.
The partnerships come at a time when major financial institutions worldwide are exploring stablecoins and tokenized assets to modernize financial systems. By combining its corporate ecosystem with blockchain innovation, SBI aims to position Japan as a leader in digital finance and Web3 adoption.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.