SBI and Startale Launch 24/7 Onchain Trading Platform for Tokenized Stocks and RWAs

SBI Holdings, one of Japan’s largest blockchain investors, has formed a joint venture with Singapore-based Web3 firm Startale to launch an onchain trading platform for tokenized stocks and real-world assets (RWAs). The new platform aims to provide a 24/7 trading environment, enabling instant settlement and enhancing liquidity for global investors [1]. The initiative is expected to support the trading of tokenized equities, particularly in the U.S. and Japanese markets, and marks a significant step toward the digitization of capital markets [2].

The collaboration brings together SBI’s extensive experience in financial services and Startale’s blockchain infrastructure. By leveraging onchain technology, the platform will facilitate continuous trading of tokenized assets, reducing the limitations of traditional market hours and settlement delays [3]. Yoshitaka Kitao, CEO of SBI, and Sota Watanabe, founder of Startale, have highlighted the potential for this initiative to bridge traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi), with Kitao stating that full digitalization of exchanges may soon become a reality [4].

This development aligns with a broader trend of institutional players exploring tokenization to streamline trading and improve capital efficiency. SBI has previously partnered with firms like Circle and Ripple to promote stablecoin adoption and RWA tokenization, while its subsidiary, SBI VC Trade, has secured the first license in Japan for handling foreign-issued stablecoins [5]. The platform is expected to operate under Japan’s evolving regulatory framework, which includes the 2023 Payment Services Act—enabling the legal use of foreign-issued stablecoins [4].

Market observers note that while platforms like Robinhood and Kraken have introduced tokenized stocks, none have fully achieved 24/7 trading or instant settlement. SBI and Startale’s platform could therefore set a new benchmark for onchain trading [1]. Institutional stakeholders are particularly interested in the scalability and liquidity improvements that come with integrating tokenized assets into traditional markets [2].

The joint venture is anticipated to launch in 2025, aligning with expected regulatory developments in the space. Startale’s Watanabe emphasized the significance of the project, stating that “the whole financial market is moving from an offchain environment to onchain,” and that the tokenized stock revolution represents a major opportunity for the future of finance [3].

SBI’s expansion into tokenized trading reflects the growing institutional interest in blockchain-based financial systems. With Japan positioned as a hub for innovation in this space, the platform could serve as a model for other markets seeking to integrate digital assets into traditional infrastructure [5].

[1] https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/08/21/japan-s-sbi-holdings-joins-tokenized-stock-push-with-startale-joint-venture

[2] https://www.ledgerinsights.com/sbi-holdings-startale-announce-rwa-tokenized-trading-platform/

[3] https://cointelegraph.com/news/sbi-japan-blockchain-partnership-circle-ripple-startale

[4] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ripple-sbi-launch-rlusd-stablecoin-055619508.html

[5] https://www.ledgerinsights.com/sbi-to-distribute-ripples-rlusd-in-japan-as-part-of-broader-stablecoin-push/