Japanese financial services giant SBI Holdings has acquired a majority stake in Singapore based cryptocurrency exchange Coinhako, strengthening its position in Southeast Asia as it accelerates its digital asset expansion strategy.
The acquisition, completed through SBI Ventures Asset after receiving approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), makes Coinhako a consolidated subsidiary of SBI Holdings. The deal expands SBI’s presence in one of Asia’s most established crypto markets while supporting its ambition to build a connected digital asset network across the region.
Key Takeaways
- SBI Holdings has acquired a majority stake in Singapore based crypto exchange Coinhako following regulatory approval from MAS.
- Coinhako will operate as a consolidated subsidiary, strengthening SBI’s presence in Southeast Asia’s regulated digital asset market.
- The acquisition follows SBI’s recent partnerships with Ondo Finance and the Solana Foundation to advance stablecoins and tokenized assets.
- Singapore will serve as a key hub for SBI’s cross border digital asset strategy across the Asia Pacific region.
- The investment forms part of SBI’s long term plan to build an integrated ecosystem covering exchanges, stablecoins, tokenization, and blockchain infrastructure.
Coinhako Strengthens SBI’s Southeast Asia Presence
Coinhako is one of Singapore’s licensed cryptocurrency exchanges, operating under a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license issued by MAS. Through the acquisition, SBI gains access to Coinhako’s established customer base, regulatory experience, and operational network.
SBI Holdings Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Yoshitaka Kitao said the company intends to build a global digital asset corridor by connecting exchanges and financial markets across multiple jurisdictions. He added that integrating Coinhako into the group will create opportunities to deliver new digital financial services across the region.
Coinhako Co founder and Chief Executive Officer Yusho Liu also welcomed the acquisition, saying SBI’s financial strength and regional network will support the exchange’s long term expansion throughout Southeast Asia.
Stablecoins and Tokenization Remain a Priority
The acquisition comes shortly after SBI announced several blockchain initiatives aimed at expanding its digital asset business.
Earlier this week, the company partnered with Ondo Finance to tokenize Japanese equities and other real world assets using its JPYSC stablecoin for settlement. SBI also entered a strategic partnership with the Solana Foundation, which will acquire an equity stake in SBI R3 Japan. The company will be renamed SBI Solana Global and focus on stablecoin issuance and tokenizing assets such as corporate bonds and real estate.
These initiatives reflect SBI’s broader objective of connecting traditional financial services with blockchain based infrastructure while supporting greater institutional participation in digital assets.
Singapore Becomes a Strategic Hub
SBI has identified Singapore as a central location for its digital asset operations in the Asia Pacific region. By integrating Coinhako into its business, the company plans to strengthen cross border trading, settlement, and digital asset services between Japan and Southeast Asia. The acquisition also provides SBI with a stronger presence in a jurisdiction widely recognized for its clear regulatory framework for digital assets, allowing the company to expand its regional offerings through an established and licensed platform.
Building a Complete Digital Asset Ecosystem
The Coinhako transaction is the latest in a series of investments aimed at expanding SBI’s digital asset portfolio.
In June, the company agreed to acquire Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Bitbank in a transaction valued at approximately $289 million, pending regulatory approval. SBI has also invested in institutional digital asset firms, including EDX Markets and Gauntlet, as it continues to expand its blockchain and crypto infrastructure. According to the company, these investments are intended to create an end to end digital asset ecosystem that includes cryptocurrency exchanges, stablecoins, tokenization platforms, blockchain infrastructure, and digital asset management services.
SBI also expects growing institutional participation, supported by the expansion of cryptocurrency exchange traded funds, to improve market liquidity and encourage wider retail adoption over time.
Conclusion
SBI Holdings’ acquisition of Coinhako marks another significant milestone in the company’s regional digital asset strategy. By expanding its presence in Singapore and strengthening its investment across exchanges, stablecoins, and tokenization, SBI is positioning itself as one of Asia’s leading providers of blockchain based financial services.
As institutional interest in digital assets continues to grow, the company’s focus on building long term financial infrastructure rather than pursuing short term market trends could strengthen its role in shaping the future of digital finance across the Asia Pacific region.
