- SBI Holdings completed its majority acquisition of Singapore-based crypto platform Coinhako on July 16 after receiving approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
- Coinhako has become a consolidated subsidiary of SBI through SBI Ventures Asset Pte. Ltd.
- The acquisition combines SBI’s financial services ecosystem with Coinhako’s regulated exchange operations and regional customer base.
- SBI plans to expand tokenization, stablecoins, on-chain finance, and cross-border digital asset services through the partnership.
- Singapore will continue serving as a strategic hub for SBI’s digital asset expansion across the Asia-Pacific region.
Japan’s SBI Holdings has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in Singapore cryptocurrency platform Coinhako, officially making the exchange operator a consolidated subsidiary after securing regulatory approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The transaction closed on July 16 through SBI Ventures Asset Pte. Ltd., the group’s Singapore-based subsidiary. The acquisition consisted of a capital injection into Coinhako’s parent company, Holdbuild Pte. Ltd., alongside the purchase of shares from existing shareholders.
Coinhako, Southeast Asia’s Pioneer Crypto Exchange, Joins SBI Group — A New Chapter for Asia’s Digital Asset Ecosystem
“Joining SBI Group is the natural next chapter for Coinhako. Over the past decade, we built one of Southeast Asia’s most trusted and compliant digital asset… pic.twitter.com/uvs2lmF7P3
— Coinhako (@coinhako) July 17, 2026
Coinhako announced that it has officially joined SBI Group following SBI Holdings’ majority acquisition, describing the deal as the next phase of its growth to expand trusted and regulated digital asset services across Asia.
Acquisition at a Glance
| Category | SBI Holdings | Coinhako |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan | Singapore |
| Core business | Financial services and digital assets | Cryptocurrency exchange and digital asset platform |
| Regulatory position | Global financial group | Operates Hako Technology, an MAS-licensed Major Payment Institution |
| Strategic strength | Banking, digital finance, stablecoins, institutional services | Regulated crypto exchange, Southeast Asian customer base |
| Value from acquisition | Expands APAC digital asset infrastructure | Gains SBI’s capital, technology, and global financial network |
Why SBI Acquired Coinhako
SBI described Singapore as a key pillar of its digital asset strategy across the Asia-Pacific region. Rather than building a new exchange from the ground up, the acquisition provides the company with an established, regulated platform operating under Singapore’s Major Payment Institution licensing framework. The SBI Holdings investment also provides immediate access to Coinhako’s regulatory licenses, infrastructure, and regional customer base.
The company said combining Coinhako’s customer base, operational expertise, and regional network with SBI’s financial services and technology capabilities will help expand a “global corridor” for digital assets connecting Japan and Southeast Asia.
What Coinhako Brings to SBI
Coinhako contributes several strategic assets to SBI’s growing digital asset ecosystem:
- A regulated cryptocurrency exchange operating in Singapore.
- Hako Technology’s Major Payment Institution licence issued by MAS.
- Alpha Hako, a crypto asset service provider registered with the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission.
- An established customer base and regional operating experience across Southeast Asia.
- Regulatory expertise developed over more than a decade in Singapore’s digital asset market.
How the Acquisition Fits SBI’s Broader Digital Asset Strategy
The acquisition supports SBI’s broader effort to build regulated blockchain-based financial infrastructure throughout Asia, following other strategic initiatives including the Solana Foundation Takes Stake in SBI investment that reinforced the group’s long-term digital asset strategy. The company said it is already collaborating with Startale to develop next-generation on-chain financial infrastructure, including JPYSC, Japan’s first trust-type yen-denominated stablecoin.
Going forward, SBI intends to integrate Coinhako into its wider digital finance ecosystem while exploring new business opportunities in:
- Tokenization
- Stablecoins
- On-chain finance
- Cross-border digital asset trading
- Regulated cryptocurrency services across multiple jurisdictions
The company believes Singapore’s regulatory environment makes it an important base for expanding these initiatives throughout the region.
Executive Commentary
SBI Holdings Chairman and President Yoshitaka Kitao said the company aims to create a global digital asset corridor connecting exchanges worldwide, allowing investors to transact without being constrained by national borders or currency barriers. He described Singapore as a critical market because of its advanced digital asset regulatory framework.
Coinhako co-founder and CEO Yusho Liu said joining the SBI Group represents the company’s next stage of growth after spending the past decade building a regulated cryptocurrency platform in Southeast Asia. He said SBI’s financial resources and ecosystem would help Coinhako deliver next-generation digital financial services across the region.
What’s Next for SBI and Coinhako
Following the acquisition, SBI plans to introduce services that connect Japan and Southeast Asia through its digital finance ecosystem. The company will also examine deeper collaboration between Coinhako and other SBI digital asset businesses, including JPYSC and future tokenized financial products.
SBI said it will continue expanding cryptocurrency trading services in accordance with local regulations while pursuing opportunities in stablecoins, tokenized assets, on-chain finance, and cross-border digital asset infrastructure.
Why This Deal Matters
The acquisition reflects a broader industry trend in which established financial institutions are acquiring regulated crypto infrastructure instead of seeking new licences independently. By adding a MAS-licensed exchange to its portfolio, SBI strengthens its presence in one of Asia’s most mature digital asset markets while positioning itself to expand regulated blockchain financial services across Southeast Asia, complementing its broader strategy that includes plans to acquire Bitbank and expand regulated digital asset operations in Japan.
