Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Holdings is making a decisive move to significantly deepen its engagement within the burgeoning global crypto sector, unveiling ambitious plans to secure a controlling interest in the prominent Singapore-based digital asset exchange, Coinhako. This strategic initiative underscores SBI’s long-term vision to establish a robust and comprehensive international infrastructure for digital assets, encompassing everything from tokenized securities to stablecoins, and positions the firm at the forefront of the evolving financial landscape in Asia. The proposed acquisition, which would see Coinhako become a consolidated subsidiary of SBI Holdings, is a testament to the growing institutional confidence in regulated crypto markets and the strategic importance of key financial hubs like Singapore.

In a detailed announcement released on Friday, the Tokyo-listed financial powerhouse confirmed that its wholly owned subsidiary, SBI Ventures Asset, has formally entered into a letter of intent with Holdbuild, the parent company of Coinhako. This non-binding agreement outlines a dual approach to achieve SBI’s objective: an injection of fresh capital directly into Coinhako’s operations, coupled with the purchase of existing shares from current investors. While the specific financial terms of the deal and the precise ownership details remain undisclosed and are still under active discussion, the successful completion of this transaction would grant SBI Holdings a majority stake, effectively bringing Coinhako under its direct control as a consolidated entity within the expansive SBI Group, pending crucial regulatory approvals.

Yoshitaka Kitao, the visionary Chairman and CEO of SBI Holdings, articulated the profound strategic implications of this acquisition, stating, “Bringing Coinhako into the SBI Group as a consolidated subsidiary is not merely an investment in a single platform.” He further elaborated on this broader strategic imperative, characterizing the acquisition as an integral component of SBI’s overarching mission to construct a resilient and scalable international infrastructure specifically designed for digital assets. This forward-looking infrastructure is envisioned to support a wide array of emerging financial instruments, including tokenized securities—digital representations of real-world assets—and stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like fiat currencies. Kitao’s remarks highlight SBI’s commitment to facilitating the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology and digital assets within the global financial system.

The non-binding nature of the current deal signifies that while both parties are committed to the transaction, the specifics of the investment structure and the share purchase mechanisms are still subject to negotiation and finalization. Nevertheless, the strategic intent is clear: this acquisition would provide SBI with a vital, licensed operational base in Singapore. The city-state is widely recognized as one of Asia’s most sophisticated and progressively regulated crypto hubs, offering a stable and clear regulatory environment that is highly attractive to major financial institutions seeking to expand their digital asset footprints. Gaining a foothold through a licensed entity in Singapore is a critical step for SBI in its regional and global expansion strategy.

Coinhako, with its origins deeply rooted in Singapore, has established itself as a leading regional digital asset trading platform, offering a comprehensive suite of services to both retail and institutional clients. Its operations are primarily conducted through Hako Technology, a subsidiary that holds a coveted Major Payment Institution (MPI) license granted by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This MPI license is a significant regulatory achievement, demonstrating Coinhako’s adherence to stringent regulatory standards and its capability to offer regulated payment services, including digital payment token services, in one of the world’s most reputable financial jurisdictions. Beyond Singapore, the Coinhako group also operates Alpha Hako, a registered virtual asset service provider (VASP) overseen by the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission, further extending its regulated reach.

This is not SBI Holdings’ first interaction with Coinhako. In 2021, SBI had already demonstrated its belief in Coinhako’s potential by investing in the exchange through the SBI-Sygnum-Azimut Digital Asset Opportunity Fund. This joint investment vehicle, established with Switzerland’s Sygnum Bank—a pioneer in regulated digital asset banking—underscored an early strategic alignment and a shared vision for the future of digital finance. The current move to acquire a majority stake represents a significant escalation of this earlier partnership, transitioning from a minority investment to a strategic controlling interest, indicating a deeper commitment and integration.

Yusho Liu, the co-founder and CEO of Coinhako, expressed optimism regarding the impending partnership, emphasizing that the new alliance would empower the exchange to significantly scale its institutional-grade systems and infrastructure. This enhancement is crucial for meeting what Liu described as "surging demand for tokenized assets and stablecoins." Furthermore, he highlighted the strategic importance of this collaboration in ensuring that Singapore retains its preeminent position "at the heart of the world’s next-generation financial system," reinforcing the city-state’s role as a global innovation hub for digital finance. The synergy between SBI’s financial might and global reach, and Coinhako’s local expertise and regulatory compliance, is expected to accelerate the development and adoption of advanced digital asset services in the region.

SBI Holdings’ proactive engagement in blockchain ventures is not a recent phenomenon but rather a consistent strategy spanning several years. The conglomerate has consistently demonstrated its commitment to innovation through substantial investments in various tokenization projects, advanced payment networks, and a diverse portfolio of crypto-related businesses. This long-standing dedication reflects a deep understanding of the transformative potential of blockchain technology across various financial sectors.

In December 2025, SBI forged a significant partnership with Web3 infrastructure company Startale Group, embarking on a pioneering initiative to develop a fully regulated Japanese yen-denominated stablecoin. This ambitious project, slated for launch in 2026 under Japan’s newly established regulatory framework for stablecoins, is specifically designed to cater to the burgeoning tokenized asset markets and to facilitate more efficient cross-border settlements. The stablecoin is envisioned to be issued and redeemed by Shinsei Trust & Banking, a trusted unit of SBI Shinsei Bank, ensuring its backing and reliability. Concurrently, SBI VC Trade, SBI’s licensed crypto exchange, will be responsible for managing the stablecoin’s circulation, thereby integrating it seamlessly into the broader digital asset ecosystem and providing a compliant pathway for its use. This initiative underscores SBI’s commitment to building foundational elements for the future of digital finance within a regulated environment.

Further expanding its blockchain footprint, in August, the SBI Group strategically partnered with Chainlink, a leading decentralized blockchain oracle network. This collaboration aimed to develop cutting-edge digital asset tools specifically tailored for financial institutions in Japan and across the broader Asia-Pacific region. The partnership with Chainlink is crucial for enabling financial institutions to securely and reliably connect their traditional systems with blockchain networks, thereby facilitating the adoption of tokenized assets and decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions. This move reinforces SBI’s role as a bridge between traditional finance and the innovative world of blockchain, providing essential infrastructure for institutional participants.

The acquisition of a majority stake in Coinhako by SBI Holdings is poised to have significant implications for both entities and the broader digital asset market in Asia. For Coinhako, the backing of a financial giant like SBI provides not only substantial capital but also access to extensive institutional networks, advanced technological resources, and unparalleled expertise in traditional finance. This support will be instrumental in accelerating Coinhako’s growth, enhancing its product offerings, particularly in the institutional space, and solidifying its position as a premier regulated exchange in Singapore and beyond. The infusion of resources is expected to allow Coinhako to invest heavily in security, scalability, and user experience, which are critical for attracting a larger institutional client base.

For SBI Holdings, this move is a critical component of its strategy to build a truly global and interconnected digital asset ecosystem. By acquiring a majority stake in a licensed Singaporean exchange, SBI gains direct access to one of the world’s most dynamic and well-regulated crypto markets. This direct operational control facilitates greater synergy between Coinhako’s regional expertise and SBI’s global vision for digital assets, including the expansion of its tokenized securities and stablecoin initiatives into new territories. The acquisition also positions SBI as a more formidable player in the competitive Asian digital asset landscape, enabling it to offer a broader range of compliant services across different jurisdictions.

The broader market implications are equally significant. This acquisition signals a continued trend of consolidation within the crypto exchange industry, as larger, well-capitalized traditional financial institutions seek to acquire or partner with established, regulated crypto native firms. This trend is driven by the increasing demand for compliant and secure digital asset services from institutional investors and the evolving global regulatory landscape that favors licensed operators. Furthermore, SBI’s focus on tokenized securities and stablecoins through this acquisition aligns with a broader industry shift towards real-world asset tokenization and the use of blockchain for more efficient financial infrastructure. Singapore, with its clear regulatory stance and commitment to innovation, is likely to further solidify its position as a magnet for such strategic investments and developments.

The successful completion of this transaction hinges on the crucial regulatory approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Given Singapore’s meticulous approach to financial regulation, a thorough review will be undertaken to ensure the acquisition aligns with MAS’s objectives for maintaining financial stability, protecting investors, and fostering responsible innovation. Should the approval be granted, this partnership is expected to accelerate the development and adoption of next-generation financial services in the Asia-Pacific region, driving forward the vision of an interconnected, efficient, and compliant digital asset economy. This strategic maneuver by SBI Holdings is not just an investment; it is a foundational step in shaping the future of finance, emphasizing the critical role of regulated entities in driving mainstream adoption of blockchain technology and digital assets globally.