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- SBI invests $50M in Startale, completing $63M Series A for blockchain expansion.
- Startale to scale Strium, stablecoins, and app for on-chain finance growth.
- Partnership advances tokenized assets and yen stablecoin plans in Japan.
Startale Group said on Wednesday that SBI Group invested $50 million in the firm. The deal completed its Series A round at $63 million. The Japanese blockchain company aims to expand into tokenized securities, stablecoins, and onchain financial services.
The latest funding follows a $13 million first close led by the Sony Innovation Fund in January. With this new capital, Startale plans to scale several products already under development. These include its blockchain network, stablecoin projects, and consumer-facing application.
The company said funds will support Strium, its layer-1 network built for tokenized securities and real-world assets. It also plans to advance its yen- and dollar-based stablecoin initiatives. Another focus is the Startale app, designed to connect users with on-chain financial tools.
Tokenized Equities Lead Startale Strategy
CEO Sota Watanabe said the firm will speed up adoption of tokenized stocks this year. The focus will remain on Japanese equities and a yen-based stablecoin. He added that Japan can serve as a base for regulated blockchain finance infrastructure.
The investment comes as Startale and SBI move into active product development. On February 5, the firms introduced Strium as a blockchain platform. It is designed to support trading and settlement for tokenized securities across Asia.
Startale said Strium will enable trading of tokenized equities and other real-world asset products. The platform will support both spot and derivatives markets. It will also allow trading and settlement on a 24/7 basis.
The company has also made progress in its stablecoin plans. On February 27, Startale and SBI introduced JPYSC, a trust bank-backed yen stablecoin. The launch is targeted for the second quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals.
Shinsei Trust & Banking will issue the stablecoin. SBI VC Trade will act as the main distribution partner. The firms said the project aims to support regulated digital asset transactions.
Startale is also building its broader consumer layer. This includes the Startale app and its USD stablecoin initiative. The company described this as part of a vertically integrated model.
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The model combines infrastructure, settlement, and user access. Its earlier funding from the Sony Innovation Fund supported this strategy. The company continues to expand this ecosystem with new capital.
SBI Expands Role in Startale Partnership
The relationship between SBI and Startale has developed over time. In August 2025, the companies announced their intention to develop a joint trading platform. The platform will be focused on tokenized stocks and assets.
In December, the companies signed a memorandum of understanding on the development of a regulated yen stablecoin. In the plan, Startale will develop the coin. SBI companies will handle the issuance, compliance, and circulation of the coin.
The latest investment in Startale represents SBI’s increasing role in the development of the company. This is different from the previous partnership between the companies.
This time, SBI has provided financial support to Startale. This comes at a time when the companies are preparing to launch their products.
Startale stated that the completion of the latest funding round in Series A has improved the balance sheet of the company. The company intends to develop infrastructure in trading, settlement, and distribution. The focus remains on the regulated digital asset market in Japan.
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