Breaking: Japan’s SBI Holdings Inks Deal With Circle To Circulate USDC

Circle and SBI Holdings said they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on circulating USDC stablecoins.
By Anvesh Reddy
Updated July 22, 2025
Just In: NYSE's ICE and Circle To Develop New Solutions Using USDC and USYC Stablecoins

SBI Holdings announced it reached a partnership with stablecoin issuer Circle to circulate USDC stablecoins, establish a banking relationship and promote the use of Circle’s Web3 Services in Japan. This move from the Japanese financial conglomerate comes after the country’s government revised regulations for stablecoins in June 2023.

Also Read: USTC Soars 137% After This Strategic Investment

Advertisement
Advertisement

SBI Holdings & Circle USDC Deal

In a statement, Circle and SBI said they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on works including the two companies working on the circulation of USDC and expanding the use of stablecoins in Japan. In the context of the regulatory hurdles faced by crypto companies across the world, the two companies have committed to properly complying with stablecoin related regulations, including communication with authorities. Meanwhile, SBI is awaiting approval of registration as an electronic payment instruments service, to be able to circulate USDC stablecoins in the country.

The Revised Payment Services Act introduced by the Japanese government on June 3, 2023 states stablecoin related guidelines on the issuance and circulation of stablecoins in Japan and advance the country’s transition towards a Web 3.0 economy. The revised Act also recognizes collateralized stablecoins, which is where claims of Circle’s USDC being 100% backed by highly liquid cash and cash-equivalent assets comes into context, the statement revealed.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Japan’s Crypto Ecosystem In Full Swing

SBI’s USDC deal comes at the back of a $100 million digital asset joint venture investment company in the UAE, as reported by CoinGape earlier. The joint venture is aimed at investing in crypto companies, at a time when the likes of Blackrock and Fidelity are awaiting the approval of the first ever spot Bitcoin ETF in the United States. SBI Holdings is also known for partnering with Ripple since as long as 2017, despite the company’s long drawn XRP lawsuit against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In August 2023, Binance Japan rolled out a crypto asset exchange service, in further expansion to the country’s already growing crypto market. Currently, the platform offers a total of 47 tokens for trading, with the recent addition of the likes of Near Protocol (NEAR) and Optimism (OP).

Also Read: Coinbase International to List ADA, LINK, DOGE and XLM Future Pairs

Advertisement
Anvesh Reddy
Anvesh reports major crypto updates around U.S. regulation and market moving trends. Published over 1400 articles so far on crypto and blockchain. A proud dropout of University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Can be reached at [email protected] or x.com/BitcoinReddy or linkedin.com/in/anveshreddybtc/
Why trust CoinGape: CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.