SBI and Chainlink Enter New Partnership to Boost Digital Asset Adoption in Japan

SBI Group has collaborated with Chainlink to advance tokenized assets and stablecoins in Japan, with plans for broader expansion across the Asia-Pacific region.

The Japanese financial conglomerate stated that the collaboration with the blockchain oracle platform Chainlink will promote institutional adoption of digital assets. The initiative begins in Japan, targeting banks and other financial institutions.

Focus on Tokenization and Stablecoins

The partnership will target several use cases for financial institutions. These include tokenized real-world assets such as on-chain bonds and tokenized investment funds with on-chain net asset value (NAV) reporting. They further extend to verification systems for stablecoin reserves.

Both companies also plan to explore blockchain-based solutions for cross-border payments and foreign exchange transactions.

Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov said the collaboration highlights years of joint work with SBI on stablecoin settlement and advanced fund tokenization. He noted that the firms are moving closer to deploying large-scale applications.

SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao emphasized that the deal will enable compliant cross-border transactions using stablecoins, paving the way for wider digital asset adoption in Japan and the region.

Regulatory Context in Japan

The timing of the partnership aligns with growing regulatory support for digital currencies in Japan. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) is expected to approve the country’s first yen-backed stablecoin as early as next month, with fintech firm JPYC preparing to lead its rollout.

SBI Deepens Its Blockchain Commitments

The agreement with Chainlink follows a string of recent crypto partnerships by SBI Group. The company has partnered with Circle Internet Group to promote USDC in Japan. It is also working with Ripple Labs to launch Ripple USD (RLUSD) by fiscal year 2026.

Additionally, SBI has teamed up with Web3 firm Startale to develop a 24/7 on-chain trading platform for tokenized stocks and real-world assets.

Through its partnership with Chainlink, SBI Group reinforces its role as a leader in Japan’s evolving digital finance market. The deal also underscores Japan’s readiness to embrace regulated stablecoins and tokenized assets. This, in turn, could provide a roadmap for adoption across the Asia-Pacific region.