Topic: #japan
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SBI Holdings and SMFG partner with Solana to tokenize Japan's real-world assets
SBI Holdings and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group announced a strategic partnership with the Solana Foundation to build a regulated Web3 hub in Japan, focusing on tokenizing real-world assets including the yen-backed JPYSC stablecoin and enabling cross-border micropayments between AI agents.
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SBI launches JPYSC yen stablecoin lending at 3% yield
SBI VC Trade will open JPYSC lending applications on July 16, offering 3% annual yield for 12 weeks on Japan's native yen stablecoin, though the service carries counterparty risk and falls outside deposit insurance protections.
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Japanese firms diversify treasuries into Bitcoin and XRP as yen weakens
Japanese companies are turning to bitcoin and XRP to diversify reserves as currency weakness prompts corporate treasury shifts. SBI VC Trade's registered accounts surpassed 2 million following its April merger with BitPoint Japan.
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Japan's prediction markets use loyalty points to sidestep gambling laws
Japanese startups are building prediction markets using redeemable points instead of cryptocurrency to comply with local gambling laws, positioning themselves as alternatives to Polymarket while Polymarket itself targets government authorization by 2030.
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Japan faces Brazil in 2026 World Cup knockout stage
Japan advanced to the 2026 World Cup knockout stage with a 1-1 draw against Sweden and will face Brazil on June 26 in Houston. Coach Hajime Moriyasu described the fixture as a serious test and key moment for Japanese soccer's evolution.
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SBI Holdings acquires Bitbank for $289M, creating Japan's largest crypto exchange
SBI Holdings announced Thursday it will acquire Tokyo-based crypto exchange Bitbank for roughly $289 million, pending regulatory approval. The combined firm would hold $6.8 billion in assets under custody and serve 2.92 million accounts.
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Bank of Japan raises rates to 1%, warns inflation may exceed 2% target
The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to 1% on June 16, marking its fourth hike since March 2024. Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino warned on June 19 that inflation could exceed the BOJ's 2% target, citing rising energy costs and a weakening yen as primary drivers.
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Bank of Japan raises rates to 1%, yen hits 23-month low
The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark rate to 1% on June 16, but the yen weakened to a 23-month low of 160.80 against the dollar, signaling trader skepticism about Japan's structural economic challenges and carry-trade risks.
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SBI Remit and Fasset Partner on Stablecoin Remittance Network
SBI Remit and Fasset announced a partnership to build stablecoin-powered payment infrastructure for cross-border remittances and financial services, combining SBI Remit's distribution reach with Fasset's 50+ banking corridors.
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Metaplanet surges 12% on Bitcoin-backed yield product strategy
Tokyo-listed Metaplanet announced plans to acquire Siiibo Securities for $13 million, signaling a strategic shift toward regulated Bitcoin-backed financial products targeting Japanese investors with yields of 6–12%.
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Iyogin Holdings Resumes JGB Purchases After Decade-Long Hiatus
Iyogin Holdings plans to re-enter Japan's government bond market as yields climb to 2.6%, signaling a broader shift among domestic banks away from overseas investments and back toward domestic fixed-income assets.
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BOJ Policy Meeting Proceeds as Governor Ueda Recovers from Hospitalization
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda was hospitalized June 10 for an infected liver cyst, but Finance Minister Katayama confirmed the June 15-16 policy meeting will proceed on schedule with Deputy Governor Himino chairing the session.