Japan’s financial powerhouse SBI Holdings has joined forces with blockchain firm Startale Group to create a new on-chain trading platform. This platform targets tokenized stocks and real-world assets (RWAs). It promises 24/7 trading and near-instant settlements.
The partnership sets up two joint venture companies. One handles core tech development. The other focuses on brand and business growth. Funding comes in stages, based on milestones, to push toward a full launch.
The platform will let users trade tokenized U.S. and Japanese stocks around the clock. It includes features like fractional ownership, which makes big stocks affordable for small investors. Users can also mix these assets with DeFi tools for more options. It adds advanced wallet tech, secure custody for big players, easy sign-up for everyday users, and real-time checks to follow global rules.
This move taps into the growing buzz around tokenized equities in 2025. For example, Backed Finance listed its xStocks on Kraken and Bybit, bringing tokenized U.S. stocks to crypto exchanges. Gemini rolled out tokenized stocks in the EU, starting with MicroStrategy shares. These steps show how tokenization is blending traditional finance with blockchain.
Startale brings strong blockchain know-how. It co-builds Soneium, Sony’s Layer-2 network, and runs Astar Network. SBI Holdings manages over 11 trillion yen ($74 billion) in assets and serves 65 million customers worldwide. SBI is already deep in digital assets. It works with Circle to bring USDC stablecoin to Japan.
Startale founder Sota Watanabe said, “The whole financial market is moving from an offchain environment to onchain.” He added that the platform will allow “continuous, programmable trading of tokenized stocks, including US and Japanese native stocks, with near-instant settlement capabilities.” Watanabe sees this as creating new financial tools that mix stock trust with DeFi’s flexibility.
SBI CEO Yoshitaka Kitao noted, “A structural transformation is currently underway in global financial markets, characterized by the on-chaining of RWAs.” He predicts this will lead to “the digitalization of capital markets themselves, including exchanges.” Kitao said the platform will be “highly interoperable, always open, accessible to anyone.”
