Japan's SBI Launches Trust-Based Stablecoin! "JPYSC" to Enter Institutional Settlement and Cross-Border Payments

SBI and Startale Launch Trust-Based Japanese Yen Stablecoin $JPYSC, Surpassing 1 Million Yen Limit, Targeting Q2 2026 Launch

Trust Structure Breaks Remittance Cap, SBI and Startale Join Forces to Enter Stablecoin Market

Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings and Web3 technology company Startale Group officially announced the joint development of the Japanese Yen stablecoin brand “$JPYSC,” unveiling its official logo. This project is issued and managed by SBI Shinsei Trust & Banking, a new trust bank under SBI; SBI VC Trade serves as the distribution partner; and Startale leads the smart contract design and security system development. The target launch is set for Q2 2026, with the exact timing depending on regulatory approval progress.

The core advantage of $JPYSC lies in its legal framework. According to Japan’s revised Fund Settlement Act enacted in June 2023, this stablecoin is classified as a “third type of electronic payment method,” namely a trust-based stablecoin. Compared to general yen stablecoins issued by money transfer operators, trust-based stablecoins have a significant advantage: the amount held and remitted is not limited by the 1 million yen cap.

This feature allows $JPYSC to be directly used for large-scale transactions by institutional investors, settlement between corporate entities, and cross-border payments. For asset protection, user deposits of yen are managed as trust property by the bank, ensuring that even if the issuer’s financial situation changes, the trust assets are legally protected, safeguarding user assets’ safety and independence.

Driving Tokenization Economy Transformation, Planning AI Agents and Real Asset Settlements

SBI Holdings Chairman and President Yoshitaka Kitao stated at the “MoneyX 2026” financial conference on February 27, 2026, that tokenizing real-world assets (RWA) and making tokens a means of social settlement is an irreversible social trend.

He emphasized that the widespread adoption of Layer 2 scaling technology has successfully addressed the issues of high transaction fees and slow processing speeds on blockchain, laying the foundation for large-scale on-chain financial settlements.

Technological advances enable individual investors to directly access markets once dominated by institutions through AI agents, driving a fundamental transformation of financial infrastructure. The $JPYSC logo features a blue color scheme, symbolizing trust, stability, security, and global connectivity.

Startale CEO Sohta Watanabe further explained the role of the Japanese Yen stablecoin in digital infrastructure. This yen stablecoin will have daily payment functions and is expected to play a core role in the on-chain world. As AI agents increasingly autonomously select APIs and execute trades, highly programmable stablecoins will become a key payment medium. Additionally, JPYSC will also participate in profit sharing of tokenized assets.

The project has already attracted significant attention from major Japanese financial institutions and large corporations, as the market actively seeks yen token solutions that can reduce cross-border trade costs and meet regulatory requirements. Startale’s extensive experience in blockchain architecture, including operating Astar Network and collaborating with Sony Group on the Soneium blockchain, positions it well for this initiative.

Tax Reform and Policy Benefits Accelerate Japan’s Digital Yen Ecosystem

Japan’s booming cryptocurrency market provides a solid user base for $JPYSC. Currently, Japan has about 14 million crypto accounts with over 5 trillion yen in assets under custody, confirming cryptocurrencies’ position as a recognized asset class.

Yoshitaka Kitao specifically mentioned that Japan’s 2026 tax reform outline will include cryptocurrencies under “separate declaration taxation,” which is a decisive positive for industry innovation.

In addition to launching $JPYSC, SBI Group plans to establish a joint venture with Circle to offer $USDC lending services in Japan and obtain a money lending license to develop crypto-backed loans, completing its comprehensive financial layout.

With Japan’s three major banks—MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho—simultaneously piloting stablecoins and tokenized deposits, the country’s digital settlement landscape is undergoing rapid change. The launch of $JPYSC will challenge the current dominance of US dollar stablecoins, offering a legally protected, highly transparent yen option that seamlessly integrates with traditional finance. This infrastructure, built jointly by SBI and Startale, not only bridges blockchain and banking systems but also secures Japan a strategic position in the global digital economy race.

This content is compiled by Crypto Agent from various sources, reviewed and edited by Crypto City. As it is still in training, there may be logical biases or inaccuracies. The information is for reference only and should not be considered investment advice.