SBI Group Launches JPYSC Stablecoin Lending Service With 3% Annual Yield

Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Group will open applications on July 16 for a lending service offering a 3% annual yield on JPYSC stablecoins. The 12-week fixed-term product will be available through SBI VC Trade, the group's crypto trading platform. The initiative follows SBI's launch of JPYSC less than a month prior, positioning the service as part of the group's broader strategy to expand into onchain finance. Japan's stablecoin market is gaining momentum as traditional financial institutions and crypto-native firms pursue retail and corporate adoption.

SBI announced Monday that the product will initially offer a 3% annual yield. JPYSC is the country's first trust bank-backed yen stablecoin. SBI said at the time of JPYSC's launch that it expects the stablecoin to attract retail and corporate users through lower transaction costs and support for block trades.

SBI Group Expands Crypto Portfolio Through Strategic Investments

SBI became the sole investor in Gauntlet's $125 million Series C funding round last week. Institutional crypto platform EDX Markets closed a $76 million Series C financing last week, with SBI as the sole investor. In June, SBI acquired Japanese crypto exchange Bitbank for nearly $289 million.

"In the onchain space, our goal is to provide a comprehensive range of functions --- from exchanges to asset tokenization to market platforms. Our recent acquisitions, investments, and partnerships are all part of this group-wide strategy," an SBI spokesperson told The Block.

Lawson Pilots JPYC Stablecoin Payments at Convenience Store

Lawson, the country's third-largest convenience store chain, is launching a trial to test JPYC stablecoin payments at one of its stores, according to a Nikkei report on Monday. JPYC is Japan's first legally recognized yen-backed stablecoin.

Japan's three megabanks --- MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho --- announced plans last month to begin live commercial transactions of a jointly issued stablecoin during fiscal year 2026.

FAQ

What did SBI Group announce on July 16? SBI Group will open applications on July 16 for a lending service that offers a 3% annual yield on JPYSC stablecoins through a 12-week fixed-term product available on SBI VC Trade.

Why did SBI Group launch the JPYSC lending service? The lending service is part of SBI Group's broader strategy to expand into onchain finance, following the launch of JPYSC less than a month prior as Japan's first trust bank-backed yen stablecoin.

What recent crypto investments has SBI Group made? SBI became the sole investor in Gauntlet's $125 million Series C funding round and EDX Markets' $76 million Series C financing last week, and acquired Japanese crypto exchange Bitbank for nearly $289 million in June.