Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Holdings is seeking to expand its footprint in the crypto sector, announcing plans to acquire a controlling interest in Singapore-based exchange Coinhako.
In a Friday statement, the Tokyo-listed firm said its wholly owned subsidiary, SBI Ventures Asset, has signed a letter of intent with Coinhako’s parent company, Holdbuild. The agreement outlines plans to inject new capital into the business and purchase shares from existing investors. If finalized, the deal would give SBI a majority stake and make Coinhako a consolidated subsidiary, pending regulatory approval.
Chairman and CEO Yoshitaka Kitao described the proposed acquisition as part of SBI’s broader strategy to develop global digital asset infrastructure, including tokenized securities and stablecoins. “Bringing Coinhako into the SBI Group as a consolidated subsidiary is not merely an investment in a single platform,” he said.
Financial terms were not disclosed, and the structure of the capital injection and share purchases remains under discussion. If completed, the deal would provide SBI with a licensed operating base in Singapore, one of Asia’s leading regulated crypto markets.
Coinhako operates under Singapore licenses
Founded in Singapore, Coinhako runs a regional digital asset trading platform through Hako Technology, which holds a Major Payment Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The group also operates Alpha Hako, a registered virtual asset service provider regulated by the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission.
SBI first invested in Coinhako in 2021 through the SBI-Sygnum-Azimut Digital Asset Opportunity Fund, a joint venture with Switzerland-based Sygnum Bank.
Coinhako co-founder and CEO Yusho Liu said the expanded partnership would enable the exchange to strengthen institutional-grade systems and respond to “surging demand for tokenized assets and stablecoins,” helping position Singapore at the center of next-generation finance.
SBI broadens blockchain initiatives
SBI Holdings has been active in blockchain and digital asset ventures for years, backing tokenization platforms, payment networks and crypto businesses.
In December 2025, SBI partnered with Startale Group to develop a fully regulated Japanese yen-denominated stablecoin designed for tokenized asset markets and cross-border settlements. The token is set to be issued and redeemed by Shinsei Trust & Banking, a unit of SBI Shinsei Bank, while licensed exchange SBI VC Trade will oversee distribution.
Earlier in August, SBI Group also teamed up with Chainlink to build digital asset infrastructure tools for financial institutions in Japan and across the Asia-Pacific region.
