Sony Bank, under the leadership of President Keiichi Minami, has recently announced that its DeFi project, developed as part of the DeFi Research Group, has been approved for support by the Financial Services Agency (FSA) of Japan through the 'FinTech Experimental Hub.' This initiative symbolizes the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) and the growing demand for automated market makers (AMM) as a pioneering use case within cryptocurrencies. As the interest in public, permissionless blockchain transactions expands, this project targets the underlying infrastructure needed for token transfer and exchange, focusing on its application within the financial sector.
The core of the experiment involves the use of token-like cryptocurrencies, which will verify customers through Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols associated with specific wallet addresses. These protocols will provide services leveraging AMM functionalities specifically to customers who have undergone identity verification, effectively reducing risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing. To achieve this, the experiment will evaluate both the technical and legal aspects surrounding several key features, including:
- - Providing AMM services to customers with hosted wallets managed by financial institutions.
- - Implementing measures for confirming KYC for users managing their own unhosted wallets.
- - Issuing tokens that can solely be transferred between verified addresses.
- - Facilitating specific AMM functionalities for customers who possess verified tokens.
Looking ahead, the DeFi Research Group will continue discussions with regulators to enhance the accessibility of DeFi for financial institutions and verified customers, with a view towards facilitating the use of regulated tokens in decentralized finance.
Additionally, the bank offers a smartphone application named 'Sony Bank CONNECT,' designed to provide users with a seamless web3 entertainment experience, aimed at making it easy and enjoyable to engage in financial activities. The learnings from the current experimentation will also be integrated to potentially create new experiences at the intersection of finance and web3 technology.
Established under Japan's Future Investment Strategy in June 2017, the FSA's FinTech Experimental Hub aims to accelerate innovation by easing the path for fintech experiments. It is a platform where fintech firms can receive support for any unique challenges that arise during experimentation, as they work towards testing compliance, supervisory risks, and practical issues that may arise during legal interpretations when delivering user services.
The current experiment will involve many entities from the DeFi Research Group, which comprises: SBI VC Trade, Sony Bank, Daiwa Securities Group, Nomura Holdings, Bitbank, Mizuho Trust Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank, legal professionals, and developmental firms. The administrative side is handled by KPMG Japan, facilitating collaborative efforts across these industry leaders in shaping a new landscape for decentralized financial services.
Overall, the experiment not only signifies the proactive approach of Sony Bank and the broader financial community towards embracing innovative technologies but also highlights significant progress in establishing a responsible framework for integrating decentralized finance into existing regulatory environments. As the project unfolds, it will likely set a precedent for future developments within Japan's evolving fintech scene, ultimately contributing to safer and more accessible financial products for all stakeholders involved.