Yen Stablecoin Framework Aims to Support Tokenized Assets and Global Settlement
Japan’s financial sector is moving closer to a regulated digital currency era as SBI Holdings and Startale Group plan to launch a yen-denominated stablecoin in 2026 under a newly established regulatory framework. The initiative is structured through a memorandum of understanding that places licensed financial institutions at the core of issuance and circulation.
The proposed stablecoin will be issued and redeemed by Shinsei Trust & Banking, a subsidiary of SBI Shinsei Bank, while SBI VC Trade will support distribution and circulation. The project is designed to comply fully with Japan’s evolving digital asset regulations and is expected to launch in Q2 2026, pending final approvals.
The stablecoin is intended to support tokenized assets, cross-border payments, and real-world asset settlement, positioning it as foundational infrastructure for Japan’s transition toward a token-based financial system. Executives involved have emphasized its role in bridging traditional finance and onchain services, both domestically and internationally.
Japan’s regulators have recently accelerated stablecoin oversight through dedicated sandbox programs, allowing trust banks and licensed entities to test blockchain-based payment systems. Major domestic banks have already conducted pilot programs under this framework.
SBI’s broader strategy includes both yen and foreign-currency stablecoin integrations, reinforcing its role as a key driver of Japan’s regulated stablecoin ecosystem and signaling growing institutional confidence in blockchain-native financial infrastructure.
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