Japan’s SBI Group Partners with Chainlink to Boost Institutional Blockchain

The collaboration brings together SBI’s extensive financial reach with Chainlink’s decentralized oracle infrastructure. Chainlink is already widely adopted in decentralized finance and institutional markets for its ability to provide secure data integrity and interoperability.

At the center of the agreement are three focus areas. The first is cross-chain tokenization of real-world assets. Using Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), SBI intends to tokenize assets such as real estate and bonds across multiple blockchains in a secure and scalable way.

The second capability is on-chain net asset value reporting for tokenized funds. By integrating Chainlink SmartData, fund managers can publish NAV directly on-chain, allowing investors and institutions to benefit from greater transparency, liquidity, and efficiency.

The third component is regulated stablecoin infrastructure. Chainlink’s Proof of Reserve will be applied to ensure that collateral backing stablecoins can be verified transparently. In addition, payment-versus-payment settlement functionality will streamline foreign exchange and cross-border transactions while meeting compliance expectations.

A recent survey by SBI Digital Asset Holdings highlights why these developments matter. More than 50 financial institutions were polled, and 76% said they plan to invest in tokenized securities. Respondents cited lower costs, faster settlement, and operational efficiency as key motivators.

However, the same survey identified a lack of secure, institutional-grade infrastructure as the greatest barrier to adoption. By directly addressing these gaps, SBI and Chainlink aim to create a framework capable of bridging traditional finance with blockchain-based systems.

Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov praised the collaboration. "It has been great working with the SBI team, they are one of the most forward-looking and technically advanced groups in the blockchain industry. We have been building very advanced fund tokenization and stablecoin DvP use cases with SBI for a while now, and I am excited to see our great work move towards a state of production usage at a large scale. SBI's choice to rely on the Chainlink standard for their digital asset transactions shows that the security/reliability, compliance features, and cross-border connectivity of Chainlink are what is needed to do high-value institutional transactions."

SBI Chairman and CEO Yoshitaka Kitao said the partnership is part of a larger regional strategy. "Chainlink is a natural partner for SBI complementing our financial footprint with their market leading interoperability and reliability onchain. With our combined strengths, we are delighted to be working together on developing groundbreaking, secure, compliance-focused solutions, including powering compliant cross-border transactions using stablecoins, that accelerate the widespread adoption of digital assets in Japan and the region."

This announcement builds on earlier joint efforts. Earlier in 2025, SBI Digital Markets in Singapore partnered with Chainlink and UBS Asset Management under the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s “Project Guardian.” That pilot demonstrated smart contract–driven fund administration, cross-chain distribution, and real-time automation of traditional financial products.

The successful trial provided a clear proof-of-concept, showing that tokenization and interoperability can work within regulated fund structures. The new partnership now seeks to move these use cases from pilot to large-scale production.

The potential implications are significant. For institutions, the partnership delivers infrastructure to transact securely across multiple blockchains, reducing operational risks. For asset managers, on-chain NAV reporting could boost liquidity and transparency, while tokenization may streamline compliance.

For regulators, Chainlink’s Proof of Reserve and settlement functions provide oversight mechanisms that encourage responsible innovation. The partnership also positions Japan as a leader in digital asset adoption, combining SBI’s financial power with Chainlink’s technical expertise.

While the vision is ambitious, important questions remain. Observers will be watching for clarity on implementation timelines, including whether tokenized bonds, real estate products, and stablecoin mechanisms will launch in phases.

Regulatory coordination will also play a major role. Japan’s financial regulators are preparing frameworks for yen-pegged stablecoins and expanding oversight of digital markets. Aligning the partnership’s products with these evolving rules will be crucial to market trust.

Another open question is how far integration will extend across SBI’s existing platforms, including SBI VC Trade, ODX, and AsiaNext. If these services adopt Chainlink-powered tokenization and interoperability, the effect could ripple through Japan’s financial ecosystem and beyond.