SBI Partners with Chainlink to Expand Blockchain Financial Tools in APAC

SBI Group has announced a strategic collaboration with Chainlink, a leading blockchain oracle provider, to develop and deploy blockchain-based financial tools for institutional clients in Japan and across the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative, a key component of SBI’s broader digital asset strategy, will focus on tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), stablecoin verification, and cross-border transactions. This partnership is expected to enhance institutional-grade adoption of blockchain technology in the region, with initial efforts concentrated in Japan before expanding further [1].

The collaboration builds on existing blockchain initiatives within SBI, which has formed four major crypto partnerships in a short span, including agreements with Circle, Ripple, and Startale. SBI aims to leverage Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) to enable seamless and compliant cross-chain transactions, with particular emphasis on stablecoin settlements and tokenized fund structures. Chainlink’s data feeds will also be integrated to provide onchain net asset value (NAV) information for tokenized funds, ensuring greater transparency and compliance [1].

Sergey Nazarov, co-founder of Chainlink, noted that the partnership is progressing toward large-scale production usage, building on prior collaborative efforts in stablecoin settlement and fund tokenization. Yoshitaka Kitao, CEO of SBI Holdings, emphasized the importance of using stablecoins to facilitate compliant cross-border transactions, which he views as essential to the broader adoption of digital assets in Japan and the APAC region. The initiative aligns with evolving regulatory developments in Japan, where the Financial Services Agency is reportedly preparing to approve the country’s first yen-denominated stablecoin [1].

According to industry reports, 76% of Japan’s banks are exploring tokenized securities, indicating a strong appetite for blockchain-based financial infrastructure. SBI’s move to expand its crypto ecosystem through partnerships with major blockchain players reflects a broader trend in the region toward institutional adoption. The firm’s subsidiary, SBI VC Trade, is also preparing to list Ripple’s Ripple USD (RLUSD) before March 2026 and is actively promoting the adoption of Circle’s USDC in Japan [1].

Chainlink’s CCIP is expected to play a crucial role in enabling seamless data and value transfers between blockchains, enhancing the utility of tokenized assets and stablecoins. The collaboration will focus on tokenized real-world assets, tokenized funds, and regulated stablecoins, with an emphasis on institutional adoption and compliance. This aligns with the growing recognition of blockchain’s potential to streamline cross-border financial services and increase asset valuation transparency [2][3].

Industry analysts suggest that such partnerships often lead to increased market interest in the underlying technologies and assets. This is evident in the potential for increased tokenized asset values and stablecoin usage, as well as the potential for broader institutional adoption of Chainlink’s infrastructure [4]. The move is also seen as a step forward in Japan’s digital asset evolution, with SBI positioning itself as a leader in the country’s blockchain-driven financial transformation [5].

Source:

[1] SBI Partners With Chainlink to Develop Crypto Tools for APAC (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sbi-partners-chainlink-develop-crypto-075215376.html)

[2] SBI and Chainlink Partner to Expand Tokenized ... (https://www.ainvest.com/news/sbi-chainlink-partner-expand-blockchain-finance-asia-pacific-2508/)

[3] SBI Group and Chainlink Announce Strategic Partnership ... (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sbi-group-and-chainlink-announce-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-institutional-digital-asset-adoption-in-key-global-markets-302537166.html)

[4] 76% of Japan's banks eye tokenized securities as SBI bets ... (https://cryptoslate.com/76-of-japans-banks-eye-tokenized-securities-as-sbi-bets-on-chainlink/)

[5] SBI Group Partners with Chainlink to Advance Institutional ... (https://www.leaprate.com/cryptocurrency/digital-currency/sbi-group-partners-with-chainlink-to-advance-institutional-digital-asset-adoption/)