
SBI prepares JPYSC launch amid USDT dominance
- SBI Group is preparing to launch JPYSC, Japan’s first trust bank-backed yen stablecoin, following regulatory approval.
- The stablecoin is designed for institutional payments, settlements and tokenised asset transactions rather than retail use.
- JPYSC faces competition from dollar-pegged stablecoins led by USDT, which holds more than $186 billion in market value.
SBI Group is preparing to issue JPYSC, Japan’s first trust bank-backed yen stablecoin, after securing regulatory approval and establishing the framework for issuance through Shinsei Trust & Banking.
The launch marks another step in Japan’s regulated digital asset strategy as SBI seeks to connect traditional financial services with blockchain-based infrastructure through a trust-backed stablecoin model.
JPYSC is aimed primarily at institutional users and is designed to support large-value settlements, treasury operations and tokenised asset transactions under Japan’s regulated financial system.
The stablecoin operates under a Type III electronic payment instrument framework, which provides compliance standards and investor protections for authorised users.
Early on-chain transaction volumes remain limited because JPYSC is undergoing a controlled rollout ahead of its anticipated Q2 2026 launch, although SBI has indicated that financial institutions have shown interest in the product.
The biggest challenge for JPYSC is competing against established dollar-backed stablecoins, with Tether (CRYPTO:USDT) holding more than $186 billion in market capitalisation and roughly 59% of the global stablecoin market, while USD Coin (CRYPTO:USDC) accounts for a further $74 billion.
The success of JPYSC is likely to depend on whether financial institutions adopt the stablecoin for cross-border payments and settlements, creating sufficient yen-denominated liquidity to offer an alternative to existing dollar-based networks.