Japan’s three largest banks plan to jointly issue stablecoins linked to fiat currencies in the 2026 financial year, in what would be a coordinated move by the country’s dominant lenders into regulated digital settlement.
Japan’s Three Megabanks to Jointly Issue Stablecoins in 2026: Nikkei
9 June 2026 - 18:20 CEST
By Matt Neill
Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Mizuho Bank will soon sign a basic agreement and establish a council to determine operating procedures, Nikkei reported on 9 Jun.
The banks have been preparing the initiative through a proof-of-concept with Japan’s Financial Services Agency since November 2025. The development follows regulatory changes that have expanded pathways for licensed financial institutions to issue and distribute stablecoins, positioning Japan’s banking sector to move more actively into digital settlement infrastructure used for corporate payments, treasury management and cross-border transfers.
The move signals that Japan’s major banks are seeking to play a more direct role in the growing stablecoin market rather than ceding ground to foreign issuers.
