SBI Holdings Teams Up with Singapore’s StarTale to Tokenize Japanese Stocks on Blockchain

SBI Holdings To Digitize Japanese Stocks With Blockchain For Faster Global Access

SBI Holdings, one of Japan’s leading financial groups, is set to transform its equity trading by moving into blockchain-based stock tokenization.

The company is preparing a joint venture with Singapore’s StarTale Group to develop a platform that converts traditional shares into digital tokens.

Sources told TV Tokyo that this system could cut trading fees and enable near-instant transactions, while opening Japanese stocks to international investors with fewer barriers.

Can Tokenized Stocks Make Trading Faster And Cheaper?

Under the proposed platform, stocks would be represented as “tokens,” reducing reliance on traditional brokers.

This could slash transaction times to mere seconds and significantly lower costs.

Unlike typical cryptocurrencies, these tokenized shares are tied directly to actual stock prices and yields, offering stability while still delivering the efficiency of digital assets.

SBI also plans to expand this tokenization framework to bonds and ETFs, building a more comprehensive digital trading ecosystem.

Leveraging Millions Of Existing Customers For Digital Growth

SBI’s banking and securities arms currently serve around 50 million accounts as of March 2024.

Chairman and CEO Yoshitaka Kitao has framed the move as a step toward merging traditional finance with digital technology.

By tapping into this existing client base, the firm aims to boost accessibility to tokenized trading and encourage adoption among both domestic and international investors.

Is Japan Ready For Tokenized Equity Markets?

While the US has already seen moves toward stock tokenization—Robinhood and Kraken announced plans in June to issue tokenized US stocks and ETFs—Japan is only beginning regulatory discussions.

The government recently approved its first fiat-backed stablecoin issuance, signaling cautious openness to digital finance innovations.

SBI is expected to showcase its blockchain trading infrastructure at the WEBX crypto event starting 22 August, describing it as a “great opportunity to create a business that will revolutionize the world of cryptocurrencies.”

Will Blockchain Change How Investors Access Japanese Stocks?

If successful, SBI’s initiative could redefine how Japanese equities are traded and accessed worldwide.

By reducing costs, speeding up settlements, and offering a stable digital alternative to volatile cryptocurrencies, tokenized stocks may attract a broader range of investors.

The company aims to launch tokenized equities by late 2026 or early 2027, potentially setting a precedent for a wider digital transformation in Japanese financial markets.