SBI Holdings Aims for Controlling Stake in Coinhako Exchange

SBI Holdings Pursues Majority Ownership in Singapore’s Coinhako Crypto Platform

Japan’s prominent financial powerhouse, SBI Holdings, has formally entered into a letter of intent aimed at acquiring a dominant stake in Coinhako, a cryptocurrency exchange that holds a license in Singapore. This strategic initiative underscores SBI’s commitment to expanding its footprint within the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape across Asia.

According to an official disclosure released on Friday, SBI Ventures Asset, a fully owned subsidiary of the Tokyo-based publicly traded company, has reached an agreement in principle with Holdbuild, the parent entity of Coinhako. The arrangement involves injecting fresh capital into the operation while simultaneously acquiring equity from current shareholders. Should this deal proceed to completion, it would position SBI Holdings to secure over 50% ownership, effectively integrating Coinhako as a key consolidated subsidiary within the group, pending necessary approvals from regulatory authorities.

Yoshitaka Kitao, the chairman and chief executive officer of SBI Holdings, elaborated on the significance of this move during the announcement. He emphasized that incorporating Coinhako into the SBI ecosystem transcends a simple financial investment in an isolated trading venue. Instead, it represents a pivotal component of a comprehensive strategy designed to construct robust global infrastructure tailored for digital assets. This infrastructure is intended to support innovative financial instruments such as tokenized securities and stablecoins, fostering greater interoperability and efficiency in international markets.

Specific details regarding the monetary value of the transaction, along with precise ownership percentages post-acquisition, have not been made public at this stage. Furthermore, the exact configuration of the capital infusion and the share repurchase mechanisms are still being negotiated. Nevertheless, this preliminary, non-binding agreement promises to establish a strong, licensed operational foothold for SBI in Singapore, which stands as one of the premier regulated centers for cryptocurrency activities throughout Asia.

Overview of Coinhako’s Licensed Operations in Singapore

Established in the dynamic city-state of Singapore, Coinhako delivers a comprehensive suite of digital asset trading services and ancillary offerings via its primary entity, Hako Technology. This company operates under a Major Payment Institution license issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, ensuring compliance with stringent local standards for security, transparency, and customer protection. Additionally, the Coinhako group manages Alpha Hako, which functions as a registered virtual asset service provider under the supervision of the Financial Services Commission in the British Virgin Islands, thereby broadening its jurisdictional reach.

This is not the first instance of collaboration between SBI Holdings and Coinhako. Back in 2021, SBI participated in a funding round for the exchange through the SBI-Sygnum-Azimut Digital Asset Opportunity Fund, a collaborative investment vehicle involving Switzerland’s Sygnum Bank. This earlier involvement laid the groundwork for the current advanced partnership discussions.

Yusho Liu, co-founder and chief executive of Coinhako, expressed enthusiasm about the prospective alliance. He highlighted how this development would empower the platform to expand its institutional-level infrastructure, positioning it to effectively address the escalating market appetite for tokenized assets and stablecoins. Liu further noted that this synergy would reinforce Singapore’s central role in pioneering the forthcoming era of advanced financial systems on a global scale.

Efforts to obtain additional commentary from SBI Holdings were made by reporters, though no response was available at the time of this article’s publication.

SBI Holdings Strengthens Its Blockchain and Crypto Initiatives

Over the past several years, SBI Holdings has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to the blockchain domain, channeling resources into a diverse array of projects encompassing tokenization efforts, innovative payment solutions, and various cryptocurrency-centric enterprises. This consistent engagement has solidified the company’s reputation as a forward-thinking leader bridging traditional finance with decentralized technologies.

A notable recent endeavor unfolded in December 2025, when SBI joined forces with Startale Group, a specialist in Web3 infrastructure, to pioneer a fully compliant Japanese yen-backed stablecoin. This stablecoin is specifically engineered for deployment in tokenized asset ecosystems and to streamline cross-border payment settlements. Issuance and redemption responsibilities for the token will fall under the purview of Shinsei Trust & Banking, an affiliate of SBI Shinsei Bank, while distribution and trading will be managed through SBI VC Trade, the group’s licensed cryptocurrency exchange.

Earlier in August, SBI Group forged a strategic collaboration with Chainlink, the renowned blockchain oracle network, to develop sophisticated digital asset utilities. These tools are targeted at financial institutions operating in Japan and extending throughout the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing capabilities for secure data integration and smart contract execution in real-world applications.

Through these multifaceted initiatives, SBI Holdings continues to position itself at the vanguard of blockchain innovation, leveraging its extensive financial expertise to drive adoption and regulatory-compliant growth in the cryptocurrency sector. The pursuit of a majority stake in Coinhako aligns seamlessly with this overarching vision, promising to amplify SBI’s influence in one of the world’s most vibrant crypto markets.