SBI and Chainlink Partner to Expand Blockchain Finance in Asia-Pacific

SBI Group, one of Japan’s largest financial conglomerates, has announced a strategic partnership with blockchain oracle provider Chainlink to develop and deploy blockchain-based financial tools for institutions across Japan and the Asia-Pacific region [1]. The initiative will begin in Japan before expanding to other parts of the Asia-Pacific, focusing on tokenized assets and stablecoins [2]. The collaboration aims to address key barriers to institutional adoption by offering scalable, secure, and compliant infrastructure [7].

The partnership will leverage Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), Smart NAV data feeds, and Proof of Reserve services to support the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), including digital bonds and real estate [3]. These tools are intended to enhance transparency, liquidity, and operational efficiency for financial institutions [4]. Specifically, Smart NAV data will allow tokenized funds to reflect real-time net asset values on-chain, while Proof of Reserve will ensure stablecoin holdings are verifiable [5]. These capabilities are expected to support the tokenization of a wide range of financial products, including funds, stocks, and property.

SBI also plans to facilitate cross-border transactions using stablecoins, aligning with Japan’s upcoming regulatory developments [6]. The company has already begun promoting USDC and Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoins, with plans to introduce Ripple’s stablecoin by March 2026 [7]. This strategy supports the expansion of compliant and efficient settlement processes, particularly as Japan moves toward a regulated stablecoin framework.

The collaboration marks a continuation of SBI and Chainlink’s prior work, including a 2023 pilot under Singapore’s Project Guardian, where they tested automated fund administration with UBS Asset Management [8]. This success has now led to broader efforts focused on practical blockchain applications in regulated finance. SBI also recently announced additional partnerships with Circle Internet Group, Ripple Labs, and Startale Labs, reinforcing its strategy to develop a 24/7 trading system for tokenized stocks and assets [9]. These agreements are expected to enhance liquidity and operational efficiency for institutional clients.

SBI CEO Yoshitaka Kitao emphasized that the partnership combines Chainlink’s advanced interoperability solutions with SBI’s extensive financial expertise, aiming to drive mainstream adoption of blockchain-based financial services [9]. Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov noted that SBI’s adoption of CCIP validates the protocol’s role in institutional transactions, reinforcing its growing role in Asia’s digital asset ecosystem [10].

The initiative is expected to unlock new settlement techniques, including payment versus payment (PvP) for foreign exchange and cross-border transactions, further expanding the role of blockchain in institutional finance [13]. SBI’s broader vision includes the development of a global blockchain-powered financial infrastructure, a goal reinforced by its ongoing partnerships with major players in traditional and digital finance [12].

Sources:

[1] Cointelegraph (https://cointelegraph.com/news/sbi-group-partners-chainlink-crypto-asia-finance-market)

[2] The Crypto Basic (https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/08/25/sbi-and-chainlink-enter-new-partnership-to-boost-digital-asset-adoption-in-japan/)

[3] Yahoo Finance (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sbi-partners-chainlink-develop-crypto-075215376.html)

[4] Crypto News (https://crypto.news/chainlink-sbi-group-tokenized-assets-japan-2025/)

[5] AInvest (https://www.ainvest.com/news/sbi-group-chainlink-partner-tokenize-assets-enhance-institutional-adoption-2508/)

[6] MEXC (https://www.mexc.com/news/sbi-group-and-chainlink-enter-into-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-institutional-adoption-of-digital-assets-in-key-global-markets/72645)

[7] CryptoWeekly (https://cryptoweekly.co/news/chainlink-and-sbi-group-partnership-japan/)

[8] bitemycoin.com (https://bitemycoin.com/news/sbi-group-chainlink-crypto-partnership/)

[9] Yahoo.com (https://nz.finance.yahoo.com/news/sbi-group-chainlink-announce-strategic-020000493.html)

[10] TradingView (https://in.tradingview.com/news/cointelegraph:6fe3a914f094b:0-sbi-group-chainlink-partner-to-bring-crypto-tech-to-asia-s-finance-scene/)