Circle Set to Launch USDC in Japan on March 26 Through Partnership With SBI

Circle and SBI received approval to introduce USDC in Japan earlier this month.

Key Takeaways:

• Circle, in partnership with SBI Holdings, will launch the USDC stablecoin in Japan on March 26 after receiving regulatory approval from the Japan Financial Services Agency.

• A 2024 report from Circle highlights that the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, contributes 29% of global digital currency transaction volume.

Circle is set to introduce USDC in Japan on March 26 through a collaboration with local financial giant SBI Holdings, marking a major step for both the global stablecoin market and Japan’s blockchain industry.

“Japan has long been a leader in the adoption of Web3 and blockchain technology, and its regulatory framework has set a clear precedent for stablecoin usage within the country's financial system,” said Jeremy Allaire, co-founder and CEO of Circle, in a statement.

“We believe this initiative will improve financial accessibility and drive digital asset innovation, aligning with our broader vision for the future of payments and blockchain-based finance in Japan,” said Yoshitaka Kitao, chairman, president, and CEO of SBI Holdings.

USDC currently holds a market cap of approximately $59.7 billion, according to CoinGecko data.

In a sign of growing adoption, the Philippines' largest digital wallet, GCash, recently integrated support for USDC.

A 2024 report from Circle highlights that the Asia-Pacific region leads global digital currency transaction volume at 29%, surpassing Western Europe at 22% and North America at 19%.