SBI Holdings and Startale Launch Japan’s First Yen-Backed Stablecoin JPYSC

Highlights:

• Japan’s first trust-backed yen stablecoin is launching soon.
• The stablecoin aims to bridge traditional finance with blockchain technology.
• JPYSC is set for launch in the second quarter of this year under Japan’s regulatory framework.

Japan’s first trust-based stablecoin, JPYSC, has been officially unveiled by SBI Holdings and Startale Group. The stablecoin JPYSC is designed to bridge traditional financial systems with blockchain networks. Stablecoin will be issued by Shinsei Trust & Banking under Japan’s regulatory framework to ensure that local laws are adhered to strictly.

Trust-Backed Model for Stability and Security

According to the press release, JPYSC aims to provide a stable solution for digital currency. It enhances stability through the blockchain technology by integrating the trusted infrastructure of Shinsei Trust & Banking with the blockchain technology.

The stablecoin is designed to be a Type III Electronic Payment Instrument, which offers institutional compliance and security. The design of JPYSC is also focused on large-volume transactions and tokenized asset settlements, which can apply to treasury operations and cross-border payments.

Being a yen-backed stablecoin, JPYSC provides a compliant alternative to dollar-pegged tokens. The presence of a clear legal pathway to issue stablecoins in Japan enhances its presence in the global digital asset market. JPYSC implements global interoperability, which facilitates seamless transactions between the traditional finance and blockchain networks. This aspect further makes the coin unique among other digital currencies.

Startale Group and SBI Holdings introduce JPYSC, the first trust bank–backed JPY stablecoin issued by Shinsei Trust & Banking, with Startale Group building the technical foundation for regulated digital yen infrastructure.

Here's what makes JPYSC a landmark moment pic.twitter.com/HbWGVIO3nR

— Startale (@StartaleGroup) February 27, 2026

A Collaborative Effort Between Key Partners

JPYSC has been launched on the basis of the strategic alliance between SBI Holdings and Startale Group. Startale Group, a Tokyo blockchain company, is reputable for its work on the Astar Network. The company will be involved in the technical development of the stablecoin, while the distribution will be done by SBI VC Trade. The partnership reflects an increasing demand for financial institutions and businesses in stablecoins denominated by yen.

The project is expected to facilitate the growth of digital financial services in Japan, according to the Chairman of SBI Holdings, Yoshitaka Kitao. He also emphasized the shift to a “Token Economy” in which real-world assets will be settled with tokens.

Meanwhile, Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale, stated:

“Our yen-denominated stablecoin is not merely an everyday payment tool. It will be at the center of a fully on-chain world. Specifically, we envision vast opportunities in facilitating payments between agents of AI and providing tokenized assets with powering distributions that will soon become reality.”

Japan’s Digital Finance Revolution

Startale and SBI Holdings plan to transform JPYSC into a cornerstone of digital finance. The yen stablecoin will be used by institutional users, allowing them to make payments in treasury management and international settlements. The target launch for the stablecoin has been set for the second quarter of this year, subject to approvals from the regulators.

The introduction of JPYSC is also part of a trend in Japan where traditional financial institutions are considering adopting digital currencies. Alongside JPYSC, the three major leading banks in Japan are also initiating their own stablecoin and tokenized deposit pilot projects. These initiatives further position Japan ahead in the regulated digital finance, challenging the prevalence of the U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins.

Japan’s Financial Services Agency has announced support for a pilot project in which MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho will jointly issue a yen-backed stablecoin. As the first initiative under the Payment Innovation Project (PIP), the experiment aims to test the legal and operational…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) November 7, 2025

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister of Japan has been a vocal advocate of the digital economy as well. At the Tokyo Stock Exchange in her New Year speech, Katayama highlighted the commitment of Japan to incorporating digital assets into traditional systems. This consequently signaled a more open and progressive approach to cryptocurrency and digital finance.