Minna Bank Partners with Firms to Explore Stablecoins in Japan

Minna Bank, a digital-native bank and a subsidiary of Fukuoka Financial Group, has announced a new research collaboration with Fireblocks, Solana, and TIS. The initiative aims to evaluate how stablecoins and Web3 wallets can reshape consumer finance in Japan. The joint study will focus on use cases such as payments, on-chain banking infrastructure, and user experiences tailored for the country’s mobile-first population.

The partnership comes at a time when stablecoins have surpassed $250 billion in market capitalization, drawing increased interest from banks looking to modernize cross-border payments, deposits, and settlement processes. Fireblocks’ CEO, Michael Shaulov, emphasized that the project could unlock new efficiencies in how value is transferred across the digital economy.

Minna Bank’s customer base, primarily between the ages of 15 and 39, is underserved by traditional banks, making it a prime candidate for testing stablecoin-based solutions. The bank’s approach, which integrates financial services with daily spending patterns, reflects its broader Banking-as-a-Service strategy.

Although Solana’s price continues to trade below its recent highs, initiatives like this highlight its appeal as a platform for enterprise and fintech innovation. With the REX-Osprey Solana + Staking ETF recently launching and DeFi Development Corp. expanding its SOL holdings, institutional confidence in the ecosystem appears undeterred by short-term volatility.

This collaboration signals a growing institutional interest in Solana’s infrastructure, as more banks and financial institutions explore the potential of stablecoins for real-world payments and finance. The study by Minna Bank, Fireblocks, Solana, and TIS is a significant step towards integrating blockchain technology into mainstream financial services, potentially revolutionizing how transactions are conducted in Japan and beyond.