Solana-Powered Stablecoin Initiative by Japan’s Minna Bank Signals Major Leap in Digital Payments

In a groundbreaking move, Japan's first digital bank, Minna Bank, has announced a partnership with Fireblocks, Solana, and TIS Inc. to explore stablecoin integration for daily payments. This initiative, leveraging Solana's high-speed blockchain, aims to revolutionize mainstream finance by combining the efficiency of decentralized technology with traditional banking. Fireblocks' CSO Stephen Richardson emphasized Japan's strategic focus on stablecoins for corporate finance and cross-border trade, highlighting the potential for solana to become a backbone for next-generation payment systems. The collaboration underscores Japan's progressive stance on digital assets and positions Solana as a key player in bridging Web3 innovations with real-world financial applications.

Japanese Digital Bank Minna Explores Stablecoin Payments via Solana Blockchain

Minna Bank, Japan's first digital bank, is partnering with Fireblocks, Solana, and TIS Inc. to study stablecoin integration for daily payments. The initiative aims to leverage Solana's blockchain for faster transactions while exploring Web3 wallet usability in mainstream finance.

Fireblocks' CSO Stephen Richardson highlights Japan's strategic focus on stablecoins for corporate finance and cross-border trade. "The country's vast trading network demands efficient settlement tools," he notes, positioning stablecoins as superior to traditional banking rails for speed and cost-effectiveness.

This development coincides with growing Asian institutional interest in stablecoins, including China's exploration of yuan-backed digital currencies and Hong Kong's upcoming stablecoin regulations. The Solana ecosystem emerges as a key infrastructure provider in this regional payments shift.

Malicious Solana Trading Bot on GitHub Steals Crypto

A fraudulent Solana trading bot hosted on GitHub has been exposed as malware designed to steal cryptocurrency. The fake project, created by user "zldp2002," mimicked legitimate open-source tools but contained code that siphoned users' funds. Blockchain security firm SlowMist identified the scam after a victim reported stolen assets.

The malicious bot utilized Node.js and a suspicious package named crypto-layout-utils, which had been removed from the official NPM registry. Instead, users were directed to download the package from an alternate GitHub repository. SlowMist's analysis revealed the code was heavily obfuscated and designed to scan for wallet data, exfiltrating private keys to a remote server.

Evidence suggests the attacker operates multiple GitHub accounts hosting similar spoofed projects. These clones of legitimate repositories were bolstered by fake engagement metrics to appear credible. The scheme highlights ongoing security risks in the open-source crypto ecosystem.

Solana Gains Momentum as Institutional Interest Fuels Price Surge

Solana (SOL) has emerged as a focal point for institutional investors, driving a 6% price increase to $150 in early July. The blockchain platform's recent performance underscores growing institutional confidence in alternative layer-1 networks.

Market analysts observe a direct correlation between institutional capital inflows and SOL's valuation. The sustainability of this trend hinges on macroeconomic conditions and continued adoption by sophisticated investors. Price action suggests SOL may be entering a new valuation phase, with technical indicators pointing to potential continuation patterns.

SEC Greenlights Tokenized Equities and Solana ETF, Marking Regulatory Milestones

The U.S. securities regulator has set a precedent for tokenized equities, granting Dinari—a San Francisco fintech firm—the first broker-dealer license for trading asset-backed dShares. These blockchain-settled tokens represent U.S. equities, enabling near-instant settlement, reduced costs, and 24/7 markets. The MOVE signals a potential overhaul of traditional capital market infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Solana enters the regulated investment arena with the launch of the REX-Osprey SOL + Staking ETF. The product combines price exposure with staking yields, becoming the first U.S.-approved vehicle for institutional participation in Layer-1 network rewards. This development coincides with the SEC's review of over 70 blockchain-related ETF applications, reflecting deepening integration between crypto-native yields and traditional finance.