SBI VC Trade and SBINFT Announce Strategic Merger in Japan's Crypto Sector
SBI Holdings Inc., a leading player in Japan's financial services sector, has recently announced the strategic merger of its subsidiaries, SBI VC Trade and SBINFT. Both companies are based in Minato, Tokyo, and have made significant strides in the cryptocurrency and blockchain domains. This merger, effective from July 1, 2026, follows a resolution passed by the boards of both companies on May 13, 2026.
The SBI Group has identified blockchain technology as a key growth area for next-generation financial services. Since 2021, it has been actively working to establish a marketplace using Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). However, the global trading volume for NFTs has been decreasing as the focus shifts from speculative trading to utilizing NFT technology for real-world assets (RWAs).
In this evolving digital economy, concepts like ‘on-chain’ transactions—where exchanges occur directly on the blockchain—are gaining traction. This shift, alongside the integration of cryptocurrencies, electronic payment means, and NFTs, has led to a decision to merge the two subsidiaries. The merger aims to consolidate management resources in both companies’ operational fields to enhance efficiency and profitability while improving customer convenience.
From the merger, SBI VC Trade will retain its strong customer base and security infrastructure in cryptocurrency exchanges. Meanwhile, SBINFT brings rich experience in marketing support and platform management through NFTs. These combined strengths are expected to streamline operations and foster innovation.
For existing services, SBI VC Trade’s trading platforms, VCTRADE and BITPOINT, will continue unchanged. However, SBINFT’s services will undergo changes. The NFT marketing platform, SBINFT Mits, will continue its operation under SBI VC Trade, enhancing digital marketing initiatives by integrating its services with SBI’s crypto solutions and Web3 wallet moving forward. In contrast, the NFT marketplace SBINFT Market is scheduled to cease operations on June 30, 2026, after serving users for an extended period. Detailed instructions regarding the termination process and user transactions will be communicated later, ensuring a smooth transition without immediate impacts on user accounts or assets.
- SBI VC Trade: June 30, 2026 (tentative)
The merger will follow an absorption model, with SBI VC Trade remaining as the surviving entity.
- CEO: Tomohiko Kondo
- Business Focus: Cryptocurrency and electronic payment service exchanges, margin trading, and cryptocurrency information services
- Established: May 26, 2017
- Capital: 1.35 billion JPY
- CEO: Tomohiko Kondo
- Business Focus: Blockchain-based platform services
- Established: May 1, 2015
- Capital: 100 million JPY
Post-merger, the unified entity will continue with the name SBI VC Trade and aim for innovations aligned with customer-centric services. The company is set to consolidate its operations across cryptocurrency exchange services, providing a more integrated service for customers who seek blockchain technology's benefits in their financial transactions.
As the landscape continues to evolve, SBI VC Trade and SBINFT are committed to adapting to customer needs and enhancing their service offerings in the competitive realm of digital finance.
Purpose of the Merger
The SBI Group has identified blockchain technology as a key growth area for next-generation financial services. Since 2021, it has been actively working to establish a marketplace using Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). However, the global trading volume for NFTs has been decreasing as the focus shifts from speculative trading to utilizing NFT technology for real-world assets (RWAs).
In this evolving digital economy, concepts like ‘on-chain’ transactions—where exchanges occur directly on the blockchain—are gaining traction. This shift, alongside the integration of cryptocurrencies, electronic payment means, and NFTs, has led to a decision to merge the two subsidiaries. The merger aims to consolidate management resources in both companies’ operational fields to enhance efficiency and profitability while improving customer convenience.
Impact on Services
From the merger, SBI VC Trade will retain its strong customer base and security infrastructure in cryptocurrency exchanges. Meanwhile, SBINFT brings rich experience in marketing support and platform management through NFTs. These combined strengths are expected to streamline operations and foster innovation.
For existing services, SBI VC Trade’s trading platforms, VCTRADE and BITPOINT, will continue unchanged. However, SBINFT’s services will undergo changes. The NFT marketing platform, SBINFT Mits, will continue its operation under SBI VC Trade, enhancing digital marketing initiatives by integrating its services with SBI’s crypto solutions and Web3 wallet moving forward. In contrast, the NFT marketplace SBINFT Market is scheduled to cease operations on June 30, 2026, after serving users for an extended period. Detailed instructions regarding the termination process and user transactions will be communicated later, ensuring a smooth transition without immediate impacts on user accounts or assets.
Merger Details
Key Dates
- - Board Resolution Date: May 13, 2026
- - Merger Agreement Date: May 14, 2026
- - Shareholder Approval Meetings:
- SBI VC Trade: June 30, 2026 (tentative)
- - Merger Effective Date: July 1, 2026 (tentative)
Merger Method
The merger will follow an absorption model, with SBI VC Trade remaining as the surviving entity.
Overview of the Companies
- - SBI VC Trade
- CEO: Tomohiko Kondo
- Business Focus: Cryptocurrency and electronic payment service exchanges, margin trading, and cryptocurrency information services
- Established: May 26, 2017
- Capital: 1.35 billion JPY
- - SBINFT
- CEO: Tomohiko Kondo
- Business Focus: Blockchain-based platform services
- Established: May 1, 2015
- Capital: 100 million JPY
Future Outlook
Post-merger, the unified entity will continue with the name SBI VC Trade and aim for innovations aligned with customer-centric services. The company is set to consolidate its operations across cryptocurrency exchange services, providing a more integrated service for customers who seek blockchain technology's benefits in their financial transactions.
As the landscape continues to evolve, SBI VC Trade and SBINFT are committed to adapting to customer needs and enhancing their service offerings in the competitive realm of digital finance.
Topics Business Technology）
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