SBI Holdings creates a dedicated blockchain for tokenized stocks! 80 million customers can trade stocks around the clock

SBI Holdings and Sony’s behind-the-scenes collaboration with Startale to promote Strium Layer 1, focusing on tokenized securities, positioning as Asia’s foundational trading layer, offering 24/7 trading, DeFi portfolios, and real-time cross-border settlement. They plan to leverage SBI’s existing 80 million customers and recently launched a testnet. The first announcement of cooperation was in August 2025, with recent efforts to launch a Japanese Yen stablecoin.

SBI and Startale Building a Stock-Specific Blockchain

Headquartered in Tokyo, financial giant SBI Holdings is collaborating with Sony’s Layer 2 blockchain development company, Startale Group, to establish a customized Layer 1 network. This new network, called Strium, will be dedicated to supporting real-world assets, with a particular focus on tokenized securities. This move comes at a time when there is strong interest in creating on-chain stock markets for spot and derivative trading using blockchain technology.

Native crypto companies like Kraken, established fintech firms like Robinhood, and even traditional institutions such as the New York Stock Exchange are rapidly developing on-chain stock trading capabilities. “Unlike platforms primarily focused on digital assets, Strium aims to serve global capital markets through a blockchain-native exchange architecture, accelerating market formation, increasing liquidity, and enabling scalable global access without being constrained by traditional issuance or custody restrictions,” the Strium team stated in a press release.

Strium Network is positioned as “the foundational trading layer for on-chain securities markets in Asia,” expected to utilize SBI Holdings’ existing 80 million customers and institutional expertise in securities, banking, and financial services. The press release states it will enable “institutions and professional participants to access, trade, and unlock assets in ways previously limited by traditional market structures.” This positioning indicates SBI’s intention not only to serve crypto-native users but also to bring traditional financial clients into blockchain.

Three Core Features of Strium Network

Dedicated Architecture: Layer 1 designed specifically for tokenized securities, not a general-purpose public chain

24/7 Trading: Breaking through traditional securities market hours, providing around-the-clock liquidity

DeFi Portability: Supporting integration with decentralized finance protocols, unlocking new application scenarios

In August 2025, SBI and Startale announced their first collaboration to develop an around-the-clock RWA trading platform. The concept is to provide access to stocks in the US, Japan, and other countries, with near-instant cross-border settlement times, partial ownership, and DeFi composability. If realized, this could fundamentally change the infrastructure of global stock trading. Traditional stock markets are limited by trading hours, settlement cycles, and cross-border restrictions, but tokenized stocks can overcome these barriers.

The initial announcement of an around-the-clock tokenized stock trading platform did not mention developing a new Layer 1. The initial focus was on advancing on-chain functionalities such as account abstraction, institutional custody, and real-time compliance monitoring for international regulations. The shift from platform concept in August to the current dedicated Layer 1 development shows a significant expansion of scope, indicating that SBI and Startale’s ambitions far exceed their original plans.

Startale’s Sony Background and Technical Strength

Startale and SBI also announced that a testnet is expected soon, and the concept proof released today “will demonstrate key technical capabilities around settlement efficiency, resilience under high load and demanding scenarios, and interoperability with traditional financial systems and blockchain networks.” Such technical demonstrations are crucial for attracting institutional clients, who need to see real performance data before considering migrating their business.

Startale Group founder Sohta Watanabe previously stated: “The entire financial market is transitioning from off-chain to on-chain environments. We believe the tokenization of stocks is the biggest opportunity, and on-chain trading is the next frontier. This is not just about digitizing existing assets but creating a new financial infrastructure that combines the trust of traditional stocks with the composability and usability of DeFi.”

Recently, Startale received an additional $13 million investment from Sony to enhance its Ethereum Layer 2 crypto project, Soneium, focused on intellectual property, developed jointly with Sony Blockchain Solutions Labs. The Startale team also operates what is claimed to be Japan’s largest public blockchain, Astar Network. These backgrounds provide a solid technical foundation and funding support for the development of Strium.

While Sony’s involvement is through an investment in Startale rather than direct participation in Strium, it still adds the endorsement of a tech giant. Sony’s global influence in hardware, software, and entertainment makes its support for blockchain projects naturally garner more attention and trust. Soneium’s focus on intellectual property complements Strium’s focus on securities, demonstrating that Startale is building a multi-chain ecosystem offering specialized solutions for different applications.

SBI’s Multi-Front Strategy with Stablecoins and Circle IPO

These companies have also recently collaborated on developing a Japanese Yen-pegged stablecoin for global settlement and institutional adoption. Previously, they announced joint efforts to develop a Yen-pegged stablecoin and RWA trading platform. This multi-product collaboration shows SBI and Startale are building a comprehensive tokenized financial ecosystem, not just a single project.

The Yen stablecoin is particularly important for Asian markets. While US dollar stablecoins (USDT, USDC) dominate globally, Asian investors have strong demand for stablecoins denominated in local currencies like Yen and Renminbi. As a Japanese financial giant, SBI’s launch of a Yen stablecoin not only serves the local market but also provides settlement tools for its tokenized stock trading. Investors can use Yen stablecoins to purchase tokenized stocks, creating a fully on-chain closed loop.

In recent months, SBI has been intensifying its activities related to cryptocurrencies, especially in the stablecoin sector. The company disclosed a $50 million investment in Circle’s IPO, and reports suggest it is developing a crypto ETF that could be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. This multi-pronged approach indicates SBI is entering the crypto market comprehensively: investing in Circle to secure a position in the stablecoin space, developing crypto ETFs for retail investors, and launching Strium to target institutional markets.

Additionally, as previously reported by The Block, an August announcement stated SBI and Startale would establish and operate two joint ventures—one focused on R&D and the other on branding and business expansion. This dual-company structure indicates a long-term strategic alliance rather than short-term project cooperation.

For the global tokenized stock market, the launch of Strium marks the rise of Asian influence. While Western institutions have historically led the narrative around tokenized securities, SBI’s deep roots in Asia and its 80 million customer base could position it as the standard-bearer for Asian tokenized stocks. If successful, Strium could attract other Asian financial institutions, forming a regional ecosystem of tokenized securities.