The digital-only bank revealed a study with Fireblocks, Solana Japan, and TIS that will examine how tokenized yen could power everyday payments. Partners aim to prove that blockchain can settle transactions faster than legacy rails.
They also plan to test real-world asset trading and Web3 wallet services. This is a huge step toward broader crypto use inside Japan’s tightly regulated market.
Minna Bank launched in 2021 with a cloud-native core and mobile-first design. The lender now counts more than one million customers, most aged between 15 and 39.
Besides attracting Gen Z users, the institution wants to replace cash with digital tokens that spend like money and clear like code. Hence, executives see stablecoins as the bridge between yen deposits and on-chain services.
Financial group Fukuoka FG owns the bank and backs its technology push. Management insists that instant, low-fee payments will deepen customer loyalty. Consequently, the stablecoin pilot ranks high on the bank’s growth agenda.
Fireblocks will supply custody and transaction tools that already secure more than 30 million digital wallets. Chief executive Michael Shaulov said the platform will help the bank mint and manage tokens without compromising security. Additionally, the company will guide compliance checks and risk controls during live trials.
Solana Japan offers the blockchain rails. Its local team highlighted the network’s high throughput and low fees, which suit point-of-sale payments.
Moreover, systems integrator TIS will glue the pieces to existing banking apps, ensuring users experience seamless wallet functions inside familiar screens.
Engineers will first validate token issuance under Japan’s new stablecoin rules.
They will then test QR code payments at partner merchants and measure settlement speed versus card networks. Besides retail flows, the group plans pilots for real-world asset trading, allowing investors to buy tokenized securities with the same coins.
Developers will embed Web3 wallets into the bank’s mobile app. Users could move funds between bank accounts and crypto markets in one tap. However, executives stress that clear fee displays and strong authentication will protect less technical customers.
Stablecoins promise yen-pegged value, shielding shoppers from crypto price swings that deter mainstream adoption. Regulators hope the tokens will cut remittance costs and reduce cash handling.
Consequently, the Financial Services Agency monitors trials closely while drafting secondary rules.
If tests succeed, partners may scale issuance ahead of the 2025 Osaka Expo. Moreover, competing banks may join similar projects to keep pace. For now, Minna Bank positions itself at the center of Japan’s next leap in digital finance.
