KEY FACTS: Startale Group and Japan's major financial conglomerate SBI Holdings has officially launched Strium, a dedicated layer-1 blockchain platform designed as an exchange-layer and settlement infrastructure for institutional trading of foreign exchange (FX), tokenized equities, and real-world assets (RWAs). The platform aims to bridge traditional off-chain finance with on-chain systems, enabling efficient, compliant, and 24/7 operations. Trading will launch in phases, starting with synthetic versions of US and Japanese stocks and commodities, before expanding to real tokenized shares and asset-backed products requiring identity verification (KYC), while a separate open layer allows broader unrestricted participation; key features include support for compliant on-chain dividend and royalty payments. The rollout follows their strategic partnership announced in August 2025 and includes an ongoing proof-of-concept phase testing settlement throughput, system resilience, and interoperability with legacy systems, with a public testnet and full commercial deployment planned next.
Source: Startale
Startale and SBI Unveil Strium Blockchain for Institutional Trading of Foreign Exchange Tokenized equities & RWAs
Startale Group and Japan's financial powerhouse SBI Holdings have officially launched Strium, a cutting-edge layer-1 blockchain platform tailored for institutional trading of foreign exchange (FX), tokenized equities, and real-world assets (RWAs). This innovative network, designed as an exchange-layer infrastructure, aims to seamlessly bridge the gap between traditional off-chain financial systems and the burgeoning on-chain ecosystem, enabling efficient, compliant, and 24/7 trading operations.
This development adds to the surging interest in asset tokenization, a process that converts rights to real-world assets like stocks, commodities, and real estate into digital tokens on a blockchain. Experts predict that the tokenized RWA market could explode from its current valuation to a staggering $2 trillion by 2028, representing a 56-fold increase driven by institutional adoption and technological advancements. Strium positions itself at the forefront of this revolution, offering institutional investors a secure, regulated environment to engage with these emerging asset classes.
Startale Group, a Singapore-based leader in crypto infrastructure, has been instrumental in developing blockchain solutions that integrate with traditional finance. Founded by industry visionary Sota Watanabe, Startale has a track record of innovation, including co-developing the Soneium blockchain and forging partnerships with major players in the Web3 space. Watanabe, who serves as CEO, has long advocated for the convergence of decentralized technologies with established financial systems.
On the other side of the partnership stands SBI Holdings, one of Japan's largest financial conglomerates. With over 11 trillion Japanese yen (approximately $75 billion USD) in assets under management and a vast customer base exceeding 65 million, including 14 million securities accounts, SBI brings unparalleled regulatory expertise and infrastructure to the table. Led by Yoshitaka Kitao, SBI has been a pioneer in digital assets, operating licensed entities such as SBI VC Trade for crypto exchanges and Shinsei Trust & Banking for trust services. The company's involvement in regulated digital initiatives, including stablecoin projects, underscores its commitment to blending fintech with traditional banking.
The collaboration between Startale and SBI was first hinted at in August 2025, when the two entities announced a strategic joint venture to create an all-in-one on-chain trading platform focused on tokenized stocks and RWAs. This partnership leverages Startale's blockchain prowess with SBI's extensive financial network, aiming to capitalize on the "explosive momentum" in tokenized securities. The launch of Strium marks the first major milestone in this alliance, arriving just months after the initial agreement and accompanied by proof-of-concept (PoC) demonstrations to validate its technical robustness.
Strium is designed as a dedicated layer-1 blockchain, providing the foundational infrastructure for exchange-layer markets and asset settlements. Unlike general-purpose blockchains that often prioritize speculative trading, Strium is optimized for institutional needs, emphasizing settlement efficiency, system resilience under heavy transaction loads, and seamless interoperability with both legacy financial systems and other blockchain networks.
Trading on Strium will roll out in phases to ensure stability and compliance. Initially, the platform will support synthetic versions of US and Japanese stocks and commodities, derivative-style instruments that mirror the performance of underlying assets without direct ownership. This approach allows users to gain exposure to these markets in a low-risk environment while the system matures. As the platform evolves, it plans to incorporate tokenized representations of real shares and asset-backed tokens, such as those linked to real estate or commodities. Access to these advanced features will require users to complete identity verification (KYC) processes and adhere to local regulatory requirements, ensuring a compliant ecosystem.
A standout feature of Strium is its dual-layer architecture. A regulated layer will cater to institutional participants who must meet stringent compliance standards, while a separate open layer will enable broader participation without such barriers. This design promotes inclusivity while maintaining security, allowing for compliant dividend and royalty payments directly on-chain which is a critical bridge between traditional finance and decentralized systems.
Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group, emphasized the platform's transformative potential, stating that tokenization is an inevitable trend, while harping equities tokenization as the next big market. He highlighted how Strium addresses key pain points in current financial systems, such as slow settlement times and limited accessibility, by enabling 24/7 trading, rapid cross-border settlements, and DeFi composability. Watanabe also noted SBI's role in bringing regulated infrastructure to the project, including licensed entities that have already engaged in digital-asset initiatives.
The ongoing PoC phase is rigorously testing these capabilities. Focus areas include high-throughput settlements, load-bearing resilience, and cross-system compatibility. Following successful demonstrations, a public testnet is slated for rollout, paving the way for full commercial deployment. Discussions with regulators, particularly in Japan, are expected to intensify as the platform expands into new markets.
Strium's launch aligns with efforts by Startale and SBI to build a comprehensive on-chain financial ecosystem. In December 2025, the partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a fully regulated Japanese yen-denominated stablecoin. This stablecoin, set for launch in the second quarter of 2026, will function as a trust-based Type 3 Electronic Payment Instrument, free from domestic remittance limits. Issued and redeemed by Shinsei Trust & Banking and circulated via SBI VC Trade, it will provide essential on-chain yen liquidity, complementing existing USD stablecoins and facilitating seamless FX and settlement in tokenized trades.
This dual-currency infrastructure is crucial for institutional adoption, addressing friction points in global settlements and enhancing Strium's utility for cross-border transactions.
Meanwhile, global interest in tokenization has skyrocketed, with traditional institutions increasingly embracing blockchain for its promise of instant settlements, reduced costs, and enhanced liquidity. For instance, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) recently announced plans for a 24/7 trading platform for tokenized stocks and ETFs, integrating blockchain with stablecoins for post-trade efficiency. This is a move that echoes Strium's ambitions.
Reports from firms like Sygnum suggest that tokenization will go mainstream in 2026, with sovereign funds and traditional finance (TradFi) leading the charge. In Latin America, platforms like Mercado Bitcoin are expanding RWA offerings with private credit initiatives, while exchanges such as Binance are reviving tokenized equities plans. On Hive and Base blockchains, Leostrategy is redefining RWAs with fully on-chain operations. Strium's focus on Asia, particularly Japan, positions it as a regional leader, potentially capturing significant market share in on-chain securities.
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