#Blockchain Innovation #Japan Open Chain #FIN/SUM2026

A Deep Dive into FIN/SUM2026

In the bustling heart of Marunouchi, Tokyo, the FIN/SUM2026, organized by Nikkei Inc. and the Financial Services Agency, promises to unravel the intricate relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology in revolutionizing financial ecosystems. Scheduled from March 3 to March 6, this fintech conference is a melting pot of policymakers, financial institutions, startups, and tech companies, all converging to discuss the now and the future of financial innovation.

The event will feature three pivotal sessions led by key figures from the Japan Blockchain Foundation, particularly focusing on their flagship project, the Japan Open Chain (JOC). This enterprise-grade public blockchain, fully compatible with Ethereum, is designed to promote a secure and efficient financial infrastructure. With its mission to facilitate a digital financial revolution an across Japan, JOC is making waves in how blockchain technology can enhance traditional financial services.

Panel Discussions and Workshops

The first major session on March 4, titled “How Should Finance Be Redesigned for Consumers and Society? — The Evolution of Financial Infrastructure Through AI, Data, and Blockchain,” will feature JOC’s CEO, Hiroaki Inaba. This discussion aims to tackle issues around Japan's declining population and aging society and how the financial industry must shift from merely selling products toward being essential infrastructure that supports society. Experts from various sectors will share insights into how AI can assist decision-making, the growing role of data, and the importance of blockchain in establishing a trustworthy foundation for financial activities.

Following up on March 5, another session, “Japan Stablecoin 3.0 — Regulations that Foster Yen’s Credit and Global Deployment,” will be presented. Here, Hidekazu Kondo, another key figure from JOC, will lead the panel to explore the reformations in Japan's financial regulations that are transforming cryptocurrencies and stablecoins from “gray experiments” into regulated infrastructures. This dialogue will scrutinize Japan's strategies for competing in the global financial exchange market and what sectors it should focus on to thrive against established players, particularly in the realm of stablecoins.

To conclude the event on March 6, a practical workshop titled