Japan’s Major Banks to Test Yen-Backed Stablecoins Under FSA Oversight
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has approved a pilot program for yen-backed stablecoins, involving three of the country’s largest banks: Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), and Mizuho Financial Group. The initiative, part of the FSA’s Payment Innovation Project (PIP), aims to explore faster and cheaper payment solutions using blockchain technology.
The pilot will initially focus on yen-backed stablecoins, with potential expansion to dollar-backed tokens. The FSA will ensure compliance, security, and full collateralization of the stablecoins, with regulatory findings to be published post-trial. Unlike speculative crypto ventures, this project emphasizes practical financial utility.