SBI Holdings announces layer-1 pilot for Tokenize securities . Photo: Business Wire
SBI Holdings , a leading Tokyo-based financial conglomerate, is partnering with Startale Group to build a specialized layer-1 (L1) blockchain for real-world assets ( RWA ), with a focus on Tokenize securities. Startale Group is also the developer of Soneium , the layer-2 blockchain of technology giant Sony.
Startale and SBI Holdings unveil Strium Network, a Layer 1 blockchain designed for 24/7 trading of tokenized securities and RWAs. pic.twitter.com/h2vxZXRHvh
— Startale 💿 (@StartaleGroup) February 5, 2026
The new network, called Strium, is designed for Capital markets, amid a booming demand for blockchain-based stock trading. Purely crypto platforms like Kraken , established fintech companies like Robinhood , and even traditional institutions like the New York Stock Exchange ( NYSE ) are all ramping up infrastructure for on-chain stock trading.
Strium targets a potential market of nearly $19 trillion worth of assets that could be Tokenize, including stocks, bonds, and other traditional financial assets.
SBI and Startale first announced their partnership in August 2025, aiming to build a 24/7 RWA trading platform. This initiative seeks to provide access to US, Japanese, and other stock markets with near-instantaneous cross-border settlement times, while integrating with decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
The two companies recently partnered to develop a yen- Peg stablecoin for use in global payments and clearing transactions. According to industry sources, this stablecoin will be issued through a trust bank in Japan and distributed by a licensed trading unit of the SBI, in order to meet the stringent legal requirements for cryptocurrency products in the domestic market.
Startale recently raised an additional $13 million from Sony in an effort to expand the features of Soneium. The Startale development team also operates Astar Network , XEM the largest public blockchain in Japan.
Strium is positioned as the trading infrastructure for Asia's on-chain securities markets, leveraging SBI Holdings' existing ecosystem of over 80 million customers and its extensive experience in securities, banking, and financial services.
According to the press release, the platform will allow institutions and professional investors to access, trade, and extract asset value in ways Capital limited by market structures.
Startale and SBI have stated that the project will soon launch a testnet. The proof-of-concept, released today, aims to demonstrate core technical capabilities, including payment efficiency, load capacity under extreme scenarios, and interoperability with both traditional financial systems and public blockchain networks.
The announcement in August also stated that SBI and Startale would form two joint ventures, one focusing on research and development, and the other on branding and business expansion.
SBI has recently increased its presence in the cryptocurrency sector, particularly in stablecoins and investment products related to digital assets. The group announced a $50 million investment in Circle 's initial public offering and is reportedly developing cryptocurrency ETFs that could be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
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