SBI VC Trade to Launch USDC Trading as Japan Eases Rules

SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings, will soon offer trading for Circle’s USDC stablecoin. This follows changes in Japan’s regulations, allowing foreign stablecoins to enter the market under a licensed framework.

SBI VC Trade Secures Registration for USDC Transactions

On March 4, SBI VC Trade announced that it had completed the first registration required for stablecoin transactions. This approval enables the platform to begin processing USDC transactions in Japan.

Following this registration, SBI VC Trade expects to be one of the first financial platforms in Japan to offer cryptocurrency trading in USDC. The company confirmed that it will launch a trial phase for selected users on March 12 before expanding USDC trading to a wider audience.

Japan Opens Doors to Foreign Stablecoins

Regulatory adjustments in 2023 from Japan also allow foreign stablecoins to be used which has approved SBI VC Trade. As a result of this, the Japanese market has welcomed such international stable coins as USDC in a regulated environment.

SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo announced on X (formerly Twitter), saying that “our company is the first and only” in Japan to acquire such a license for stablecoin. SBI VC Trade will keep working on full scale USDC support, he added.

Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire acknowledged the milestone, calling USDC “the first and only global dollar stablecoin approved for use in Japan.” He commended SBI for becoming the first firm in the country to gain authorization to list and distribute USDC.

Japanese Regulators Support Stablecoin Transactions

On the same day as SBI VC Trade’s announcement, Financial Services Agency (FSA) Commissioner Hideki Ito expressed support for stablecoins at the Fin/Sum 2025 event during Japan Fintech Week.

“Stablecoins are effectively used to improve remittance and settlement. I hope to see their adoption,” Ito said, as reported by Nikkei. His comments suggest backing for stablecoins in Japan’s financial sector.

In February, the FSA approved a report from a working group recommending policy changes to ease stablecoin regulations. This has paved the way for companies like SBI VC Trade to introduce stablecoin trading services under a regulated framework.

SBI Expands Crypto Offerings with USDC

SBI VC Trade is known for growing its cryptocurrency offering and already has relationships with some of America’s biggest blockchain operators, including Ripple.

Currently, the platform supports numerous cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum (ETH), Bitcoin (BTC) as well as XRP. Some users are expecting to be able to trade or pay with a regulated stablecoin which they can add via USDC.

SBI VC Trade’s latest move aligns with Japan’s broader efforts to integrate stablecoins into the financial sector, ensuring compliance with local regulations while offering new digital asset services to users.