Startale Group, a Tokyo-based blockchain infrastructure firm behind Japan’s largest public network Astar, and SBI Holdings, one of the country’s leading financial conglomerates, have unveiled JPYSC, a trust bank-backed Japanese yen stablecoin designed for institutional and cross-border applications, according to a Friday announcement.
The JPYSC stablecoin will be issued by SBI Shinsei Trust Bank under Japan’s regulatory framework, making it the first trust bank-backed yen stablecoin in the market. SBI VC Trade will handle distribution while Startale oversees technical development.
The partners are targeting a second-quarter launch, pending final regulatory clearances.
Discussing the launch, Yoshitaka Kitao, Representative Director, Chairman, and President of SBI Holdings, said it is intended to support the expansion of digital financial services and strengthen the link between traditional finance and emerging digital infrastructure.
“The transition to a ‘Token Economy’ where all real-world assets are tokenized and tokens permeate society as a means of settlement is now an irreversible societal trend,” Kitao stated.
Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group, said the company aims to bring more of the global economy onchain, positioning its yen-denominated stablecoin as a key component of the future digital infrastructure.
“Our yen-denominated stablecoin is not just a means of everyday payment,” Watanabe added. “It will play a central role in a fully onchain world. In particular, we see enormous potential in enabling payments between AI agents and powering distributions for tokenized assets, both of which will soon become reality.”
The move reinforces Japan’s position in regulated digital currency infrastructure as global stablecoin competition accelerates.
As one of the few major jurisdictions with a clear legal pathway for stablecoin issuance, Japan is enabling domestic financial institutions to develop compliant digital assets.
The project aims to challenge the dominance of dollar-pegged tokens by offering a regulated yen alternative suited for treasury operations, corporate payments, and international settlement.
Startale operates Astar Network and jointly develops the Soneium blockchain through a partnership with Sony Group Corporation.