EddieJayonCrypto
27 Aug 25
Monex, the Japanese brokerage giant, is eyeing a bold new chapter in digital finance: a yen-pegged stablecoin and a push into overseas crypto acquisitions. For a company that’s already expanded into Web3 and acquired Coincheck, this move signals a clear ambition to dominate the global crypto landsca...
Monex, the Japanese brokerage giant, is eyeing a bold new chapter in digital finance: a yen-pegged stablecoin and a push into overseas crypto acquisitions. For a company that’s already expanded into Web3 and acquired Coincheck, this move signals a clear ambition to dominate the global crypto landscape. “Without tackling stablecoins, we cannot keep up with the world,” said Monex Chairman Oki Matsumoto, speaking to TV Tokyo. His words underscore a seismic shift in Japan’s financial sector, where stablecoins are no longer a niche experiment but a necessity for staying competitive. Monex’s proposed stablecoin would be backed by Japanese government bonds, a move that could revolutionize cross-border remittances, corporate payments, and even everyday retail transactions. By leveraging its existing platforms like Coincheck and Monex Securities, the company aims to drive adoption quickly. Imagine sending money abroad with the same ease as transferring yen domestically—this is the vision Monex is chasing. But Monex isn’t just playing catch-up. It’s also accelerating its global footprint. Talks are underway to acquire a European blockchain firm, with an announcement looming. This follows the December listing of Coincheck Group on Nasdaq, a strategic pivot that Matsumoto calls the “starting point” for Monex’s global expansion. Meanwhile, Japan’s regulatory landscape is heating up. The Financial Services Agency recently greenlit JPYC as the first licensed stablecoin issuer, while SBI Holdings partnered with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. to explore stablecoin distribution. Across the Pacific, the U.S. passed the “Genius Act,” granting dollar-pegged stablecoins legal currency status—a win for legitimacy and a green light for banks and payment firms to embrace the technology. Monex’s gamble isn’t without risks. Launching a stablecoin demands heavy infrastructure and capital, as Matsumoto admitted. But with Japan’s regulatory momentum and the global push toward digital finance, the timing feels right. So, what does this mean for investors and the crypto world? Could Monex’s yen-pegged stablecoin become a bridge between traditional finance and the digital age? And will its overseas acquisitions reshape the crypto sector’s power dynamics? The answers may soon be clearer—and the stakes are higher than ever.