Japanese Leaders Unite for Institutional-Grade Digital Yen

On December 16, 2025, Startale Group and SBI Holdings announced a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a fully regulated stablecoin denominated in Japanese yen. This initiative aims to provide an alternative in the 300 billion stablecoin market. Shinsei Trust & Banking will handle the issuance, while SBI VC Trade will manage circulation as a licensed Crypto Asset Exchange Service Provider.
Backed by Japan s Financial Services Agency and supported by the Payment Innovation Project, the stablecoin is designed to serve as a global settlement currency and a bridge between regulated digital assets and the broader on-chain economy. The project is set to launch in Q2 2026, complementing Startale s existing USDSC stablecoin and positioning Japan at the forefront of digital financial innovation.
Key details include:
- Developers: Startale Group and SBI Holdings
- Launch Date: Q2 2026, after establishing a regulatory framework
- Primary Purpose: Global settlement and institutional adoption of a digital yen
- Regulatory Support: Financial Services Agency FSA through its Payment Innovation Project