The global digital finance landscape is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, and Japan is now at the forefront with the announcement of JPYSC, the first stablecoin denominated in Japanese yen and backed by a trust bank.
The project, a result of the collaboration between Startale Group and SBI Holdings, aims to launch JPYSC in the second quarter of 2026, marking a decisive step towards a new era of regulated digital infrastructures.
Japan stands out as one of the few major markets to have defined a clear legal framework for the issuance of stablecoins. This favorable regulatory environment allows financial institutions to develop compliant products, with well-defined operational roles and supervisory mechanisms.
In this context, JPYSC emerges as the first trust-based stablecoin, issued by SBI Shinsei Trust Bank under Japanese regulations, and designed to operate seamlessly between traditional financial systems and blockchain networks.
In the project, SBI VC Trade will serve as the main distribution partner, while Startale Group will lead the technical development of the initiative. The launch of JPYSC is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, contingent upon the completion of all necessary regulatory approvals.
At a time when institutions are increasingly considering stablecoins as programmable tools for payments and settlements, the emergence of a digital yen backed by trust banks represents a breakthrough. JPYSC offers a regulated alternative in a market currently dominated by stablecoins pegged to the US dollar, expanding the role of the yen in global digital finance.
The initial expressions of interest from financial institutions and large enterprises confirm a growing demand for operational payment solutions, treasury management, and cross-border settlements. In these areas, regulated liquidity in yen can meet the need for reliable digital tools for transaction settlement.
The issuance model supported by trust banks, combined with an institutional-level compliance framework, ensures the governance, oversight, and operational safeguards necessary for adoption in regulated financial environments.
This approach aims to meet both legal requirements and corporate risk standards, ensuring that JPYSC is designed to address security and transparency needs.
One of the most innovative aspects of the initiative is the development of interoperability between traditional financial infrastructures and blockchain networks. This will allow institutions to integrate regulated digital rails in yen into existing workflows, without having to rebuild central systems from scratch.
The goal is to create seamless connectivity between the traditional financial world and the digital one, promoting the mass adoption of new technologies.
Yoshitaka Kitao, Representative Director, President, and CEO of SBI Holdings, emphasizes how the transition towards a “Token Economy,” where all real-world assets are tokenized and tokens become widely used settlement means in society, is now an irreversible trend.
SBI Group, a pioneer in the financial sector, has already built a digital ecosystem and, with the joint issuance of a yen stablecoin alongside Startale Group, aims to drastically accelerate the integration between digital financial services and traditional finance, both nationally and globally.
Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group, highlights how the company’s mission is to “build the next civilization by bringing the world onchain.” The new yen stablecoin will not only be a tool for everyday payments but will play a central role in a fully onchain world. Startale sees enormous potential in enabling payments between AI agents and in the distribution of tokenized assets, two scenarios that will soon become reality.
Startale Group is confirmed as one of the leading global providers of crypto solutions, committed to bringing the world onchain. The company manages Astar Network, the largest public blockchain in Japan, and co-develops Soneium in collaboration with Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture with Sony Group Corporation. In addition to chain development, Startale also creates products for consumers and developers, such as the Startale App, an all-in-one gateway to access the Soneium ecosystem and blockchain-native applications, offering an intuitive and integrated experience.
The introduction of JPYSC marks a crucial step in establishing Japan as a key hub for regulated digital currencies. The combination of an advanced regulatory framework, strategic partnerships, and an innovation-driven vision lays the groundwork for a new era of digital finance, where the yen can play a leading role even on an international level.
With its launch scheduled for 2026, the JPYSC project could redefine the standards of security, interoperability, and compliance for digital assets, providing institutions and businesses with a reliable solution to tackle the challenges of the new tokenized economy.
