SBI Holdings has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in the Singapore-based cryptocurrency platform Coinhako [1].
The move signals a strategic push by the Japanese financial institution to integrate regulated digital assets into its broader regional operations. By securing a foothold in Singapore, SBI Holdings can leverage the city-state's established regulatory framework to scale its blockchain initiatives.
The transaction was finalized July 16, 2026 [2], after the companies received the necessary approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) [1]. The MAS serves as the central bank and financial regulatory authority of Singapore, ensuring that acquisitions in the fintech sector meet strict compliance and stability standards.
SBI Holdings intends to use the acquisition to expand its regulated digital-asset network across Southeast Asia [3]. The company is specifically targeting growth in several emerging sectors, including stablecoins, on-chain finance, and tokenization [3]. These technologies aim to move traditional financial assets onto blockchain ledgers to increase efficiency and transparency.
Coinhako has operated as a prominent gateway for cryptocurrency trading in Singapore, providing a user interface designed for both retail and institutional investors. The integration into the SBI ecosystem allows Coinhako to benefit from the financial backing and global network of one of Japan's largest financial groups [4].
This acquisition follows a trend of Japanese firms seeking growth opportunities outside their domestic market. By acquiring a majority stake in a Singaporean entity, SBI Holdings bypasses some of the hurdles associated with entering new markets from scratch, instead utilizing an existing license and customer base [5].
“SBI Holdings has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in the Singapore-based cryptocurrency platform Coinhako.”
This acquisition highlights the growing convergence of traditional finance and digital assets in Asia. By acquiring a regulated entity like Coinhako, SBI Holdings is not just buying a customer base, but is securing a compliant operational hub in Singapore. This allows the firm to experiment with tokenization and on-chain finance within a legal framework, reducing the regulatory risk typically associated with cryptocurrency expansion.
