Stablecoin issuer Tether (USDT) reported $1.04 billion in net profit for the first quarter of 2026, as its excess reserves rose to a record $8.23 billion, according to its latest attestation on Friday.

The company said its reserves remain heavily concentrated in US Treasuries, with around $141 billion in direct and indirect exposure, while total assets of about $191.8 billion exceeded liabilities of approximately $183.5 billion as of March 31.

Tether said this level of exposure makes it the 17th largest holder of US Treasuries globally. Beyond Treasuries, reserves included about $20 billion in physical gold and $7 billion in Bitcoin (BTC).

USDT circulating supply remained broadly stable at about $183 billion at the end of the first quarter. After the period, CEO Paolo Ardoino said supply has increased by more than $5 billion into April.

Tether said its proprietary investments are held separately from reserves backing USDT (USDT) and are funded through excess capital and profits.

The report was prepared by accounting firm BDO. The company also said it has begun the formal audit process.

Tether is the issuer of USDT (USDT), the largest stablecoin by market capitalization. According to DefiLlama data, the total stablecoin market is valued at about $320 billion, with USDT accounting for roughly 59% of the sector.

Total stablecoins market cap. Source: DefiLlama

Related: Tether-backed Oobit rolls out virtual Visa cards for AI agent USDT spending

Demand for digital dollars rises in emerging markets

Ardoino said in a post on X on Friday that USDT’s user base reached an all-time high of about 570 million in the first quarter, citing demand for dollars across emerging markets.

In Latin America, stablecoins accounted for 40% of crypto purchases in 2025, surpassing Bitcoin’s 18% share, according to a report released by Bitso this week based on data from its nearly 10 million retail users. The report described the trend as “digital dollarization,” as users turn to stablecoins for savings and everyday transactions.

Source: Paolo Ardoino

Stablecoins are also gaining traction in Africa for remittance payments. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in January, former UN official Vera Songwe said traditional transfers can cost about $6 per $100 sent, while stablecoins allow funds to move more quickly at lower cost.

Songwe also said stablecoins can help users preserve value in high-inflation environments, noting that inflation has exceeded 20% in several African countries since the pandemic.

However, stablecoin adoption has drawn scrutiny from global regulators. The Financial Stability Board warned in its 2025 annual report that widespread use of US dollar-denominated stablecoins could pose risks to emerging economies, including currency substitution and reduced effectiveness of domestic monetary policy.

FSB annual report for 2025. Source: Financial Stability Board

Magazine: Adam Back says current demand is ‘almost’ enough to send Bitcoin to $1M

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

TLDR:

• Ethereum Exchange Supply Ratio has dropped to low levels, but price has not formed a matching bottom yet.
  
• Historical patterns show that divergences between the ratio and price typically resolve through a downward price move.
  
• ETH has broken below its 1-Day Bull Market Support Band, a level that has acted as a strong reversal zone recently.
  
• Analysts are watching the $2,150 support zone closely as a potential area to add spot positions before any recovery.

---

A new dip could be coming for Ethereum as on-chain data and technical signals begin to align bearishly. The Exchange Supply Ratio has dropped sharply to historically low levels, yet ETH price has not followed with a corresponding bottom.

This divergence has raised concern among analysts tracking the asset. Historically, such gaps between the metric and price tend to close through a downward correction rather than a rally in the ratio.

A New Dip Could Be Coming as On-Chain Data Diverges From Price

A new dip could be coming for Ethereum based on what the Exchange Supply Ratio is currently showing. This metric tracks how much ETH is held on trading platforms at any given time.

When the ratio drops sharply, it has historically signaled reduced selling pressure and the formation of a price bottom.

The problem now is that the ratio has fallen, but the price has not formed a matching bottom. Cryptoquant analyst PelinayPA flagged this divergence, noting that the market may not have fully priced in the signal yet. That gap between metric and price is what makes the current setup particularly worth watching.

Such divergences do not tend to last long before one side gives way. Based on historical patterns, it is typically the price that moves down to close the gap rather than the ratio recovering upward. That pattern alone puts downside risk firmly on the table.

One reason the price may still be holding is activity in the derivatives market. Leveraged positions can artificially sustain prices for a period, but that kind of support tends to be temporary. Once it unwinds, the price often moves quickly to reflect underlying conditions.

Technical Breakdown Adds Further Weight to Downside Case

Beyond the on-chain divergence, Ethereum’s chart structure is also showing signs of strain. ETH has broken below the 1-Day Bull Market Support Band, a level that has repeatedly acted as a strong reversal zone over the past several months. That break alone is worth monitoring closely.

Analyst CrypticTrades_ weighed in on the price action, acknowledging that while this could still be a short-term deviation, a confirmed breakdown would shift attention toward lower levels. The next key area sits around $2,150, a prior resistance range on higher timeframes that could now act as support.

That zone is where some analysts are already planning to add to their spot positions. A clean hold there could lay the groundwork for a more durable move to the upside further ahead. However, that recovery thesis only holds as long as price does not lose that level entirely.

For now, both signals are pointing in the same direction. Until ETH reclaims its Bull Market Support Band and the on-chain divergence resolves, the possibility of a new dip remains the most technically grounded scenario on the table.

Stablecoin yield would be prohibited under a newly released agreement addressing that contentious part of the crypto market structure legislation in an approach that’s broadly similar to what’s been discussed since the start of the year.

The new section of proposed Digital Asset Market Clarity Act text released Friday revealed that the compromise hashed out by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) would ban stablecoin issuers from offering yield based on just holding stablecoin reserves. It contends that “depository institutions provide financial services that are integral to the strength of the American economy,” and stablecoin issuers offering similar services “may inhibit” these institutions.

Coming to an agreement means there’s likely nothing in the way of a Senate Banking Committee hearing (known as a markup) that could finally advance the legislation another key step in its progress through the Senate, though there are a number of other negotiation points that haven’t been publicly resolved.

“Mark it up,” Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong wrote in a posting on social media site X. His company had been at the center of the talks and potentially had the most to lose from restriction on stablecoin rewards.

Coinbase’s chief legal officer, Paul Grewal, said in a separate post that this language “preserves activity-based rewards tied to real participation on crypto platforms and networks, which is what the bank lobby said they wanted,” adding that “we’re focused on getting a bill done and are satisifed that this language should not be the basis of any objection.”

In its legalese, the new text reads, “No covered party shall, directly or indirectly, pay any form of interest on yield (whether in cash, tokens, or other consideration) to a restricted recipient — (A) solely in connection with the holding of such restricted recipient’s payment stablecoins; or (B) on a payment stablecoin balance in a manner that is economically or functionally equivalent to the payment of interest or yield on an interest-bearing bank deposit.”

This restriction does not apply to incentives “based on bona fide activities or bona fide transactions” that are different from yield generated by interest-bearing bank deposits, the text said, maintaining an approach to rewards that’s similar to what financial firms offer on credit card activity. The restriction does apply to loyalty programs or similar efforts.

Senators Alsobrooks and Tillis have been negotiating details of the text for the last few months, after a Senate Banking Committee markup on the overall Clarity Act was postponed last-minute in January. Since then, bank lobbyists and crypto insiders have been weighing in on the compromise effort, sometimes in session hosted by the White House.

In March, the lawmakers had said they’d struck an agreement that blocked crypto firms from offering yield that looked like deposit interest but did allow them to structure rewards programs that didn’t rival banks’ core products.

In a statement, Digital Chamber CEO Cody Carbone said the trade association “welcomes the public release of stablecoin yield language as an important step toward resolving one of the final issues standing between the Committee and a markup. We are encouraged to see this process moving forward and will continue advocating for the power of rewards to drive consumer utility, competition, and innovation across the digital asset ecosystem.”

UPDATE (May 1, 2026, 21:54 UTC): Adds comments from Coinbase executives.

Historically, crypto markets have been driven by a dominant narrative. Not today. 

In one corner, miners are trying to break free of four-year cycles. IREN is being recast as an AI infrastructure company, with analysts pointing to data centers and compute demand as the real growth engine. In another corner, BitMine is doing the exact opposite, pouring billions deeper into Ether (ETH) even as losses mount. 

The disconnect doesn’t stop there. Stablecoin balances have ballooned to over $300 billion, yet activity has dropped sharply. It reflects capital waiting, with no clear consensus on what comes next.

Meanwhile, institutions are building a parallel track. Tokenized Treasurys are now being used as collateral on exchanges, linking traditional finance and crypto markets more tightly than ever.

This week’s Crypto Biz delves into a market pulling in different directions.

Bernstein sees IREN pivoting from Bitcoin mining to a $3.7B AI cloud business

Analysts at Bernstein are reframing the story around IREN, arguing the company’s future may depend less on Bitcoin (BTC) mining and more on building out AI-focused data center capacity. 

In a new report, Bernstein highlights IREN’s access to large-scale energy infrastructure as a key advantage, positioning it to support high-performance computing workloads tied to artificial intelligence. 

IREN’s AI cloud segment could grow into a multibillion-dollar business over time, with estimates pointing to a potential $3.7 billion valuation. The company has already begun expanding its data center footprint and securing financing to support this shift, signaling a longer-term strategy that extends beyond crypto mining.

The transition reflects a broader trend among miners seeking more stable and diversified revenue streams as economic conditions in the mining sector deteriorate. 

AI cloud is expected to become IREN’s dominant revenue stream very soon. Source: Bernstein

BitMine stacks another 101,000 ETH as unrealized losses grow

Tom Lee’s BitMine added another 101,000 ETH to its balance sheet, doubling down on its accumulation strategy even as its existing holdings remain deeply underwater. The latest purchase brings total investment to roughly $17.6 billion, reinforcing the company’s position as the largest corporate holder of Ether.

That aggressive buying streak comes amid more than $6.5 billion in unrealized losses, reflecting Ether trading well below BitMine’s average acquisition price, $2,248.55 at last look versus the average $3,621.34, according to DropsTab data.

The scale of the drawdown underscores the risk of concentrating corporate treasuries in a single volatile asset, especially when accumulation continues during price weakness.

BitMine is deeply underwater on its ETH position. Source: DropsTab

Stablecoin supply rises as transfer volume drops nearly 20%

Stablecoin transfer activity fell sharply over the past month, with total volume dropping 19% to about $8.3 trillion, even as the overall market continued to expand, according to RWA.xyz data. At the same time, total supply climbed above $305 billion, while the number of holders and active addresses also edged higher.

The divergence points to a buildup of capital that isn’t moving. More dollars are entering or staying in stablecoins, but fewer are being used across blockchains. In practical terms, liquidity is rising, but activity is slowing, suggesting that users are holding rather than deploying funds.

Flows across individual assets tell a similar story. Tether’s USDt (USDT) led inflows with roughly $3.6 billion added, followed by USDC (USDC), while USDe (USDE) and PayPal USD (PYUSD) saw outflows.

Net flows of stablecoins over the past 30 days. Source: RWA.xyz

OKX brings BlackRock’s tokenized Treasurys fund into trading collateral

OKX has added BlackRock’s tokenized US Treasurys fund, BUIDL, to its platform, allowing institutional clients to use the asset as trading collateral. The integration is part of a new framework developed with Standard Chartered, where the fund can be posted as margin while remaining in regulated custody with the bank.

The setup changes how collateral works on crypto exchanges. Instead of parking cash or stablecoins that sit idle, clients can hold a yield-bearing Treasury-backed asset and still use it to support trading activity. 

In some cases, the collateral stays off-exchange under Standard Chartered’s custody, while OKX mirrors it for trading — a structure designed to reduce counterparty risk without interrupting execution.

Crypto Biz is your weekly pulse on the business behind blockchain and crypto, delivered directly to your inbox every Thursday.

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

Several Bitcoin (BTC) data points suggest that $80,000 is the next destination for the cryptocurrency. Bitcoin gained 2.52% to trade above $78,800 on Friday after holding support at the 100-day exponential moving average. Spot market buy volumes also strengthened while the cumulative volume delta (CVD) reached 11,500 BTC, its highest level since Feb. 17. 

BTC futures activity is picking up, with the open interest rising 6.64% to 257,000 BTC, indicating fresh positioning.

Bitcoin’s daily trend recovery shows fresh positioning

Bitcoin rebounded from its 100-day exponential moving average (100-EMA) after retesting the daily trend over the past two days. The move lifted the price by 2.52% to $78,800 on Friday, holding the short-term uptrend intact.

The 100-day EMA, currently acting as dynamic support on the daily chart, suggests that the higher time-frame chart remains bullish. 

BTC/USDT on the one-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The spot demand is strengthening at the same time. The spot cumulative volume delta (CVD), which tracks net buying versus selling, reached 11,500 BTC, a new high since Feb. 17. This indicates buyers are absorbing the supply during the recent dip. 

Derivatives positioning is expanding in tandem with price, pointing to fresh participation. The aggregated open interest has risen 6.64% to 257,000 BTC over the past 24 hours, indicating new positions are being added as Bitcoin consolidates below $80,000. 

BTC price, spot, and futures CVD. Source: Velo

This follows a recent leverage flush of roughly 9,000 BTC, suggesting that excess positioning has been cleared as the leveraged market rebuilds. 

The futures CVD adds further context. Futures volume has recovered to 98,300 BTC, signaling a return of net buying pressure. However, it remains below the levels seen during the April 27 correction, suggesting trader positioning is still developing. 

At the same time, liquidity continues to cluster in the $78,000–$80,000 range, with $2.1 billion in short positions at risk, which could lead to a short squeeze near the key level.

Bitcoin liquidation heatmap. Source: CoinGlass

Related: Bitcoin ETFs draw $2B in April for highest monthly inflows this year

BTC demand from institutions tightens the available supply

BTC institutional activity continues to lean supportive. The 30-day change in OTC desk balances has fallen to around -20,700 BTC, matching levels last seen in March 2025. The lower balances indicate BTC moving off desks, reducing the immediately available supply.

Bitcoin: Total OTC desk balance. Source: CryptoQuant

The exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows show a similar pattern. With ETF flows reaching $1.97 billion in April. Bitcoin research newsletter Ecoinometrics noted a nine-day streak of inflows, the longest in 2026.

Ecoinometrics explained that while the pace of inflows is moderate, the consistency has improved, adding, 

“The last time flows showed this kind of persistence was right before the October 2025 peak. Not saying we’re there yet, but it tells you the direction is improving.”

The near-term focus is on how long flows sustain themselves and whether liquidity above $80,000 thins as spot, futures, and institutional participation increase.

ETF inflow streak improves for Bitcoin. Source: Ecoinometrics/X

Related: Bitcoin’s $75K cost basis emerges as key support zone for current bull trend

This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research.

Pi Network has set May 11 as the activation date for Protocol 23, the upgrade that introduces full smart contract functionality to the Pi blockchain and transforms the network from a mobile mining project into a programmable platform capable of supporting DeFi applications and real-world asset tokenisation.

Pi Network confirmed May 11 as the Protocol 23 activation date, following the completion of the mandatory Protocol 22 upgrade on April 27. CoinMarketCap confirmed that Protocol 23 was moved forward from May 18 to May 11 as part of Pi’s accelerated upgrade cycle, timed to land shortly after the Consensus 2026 conference in Miami where both co-founders are scheduled to speak on May 6 and May 7.

As crypto.news reported, Pi Network is an official sponsor of Consensus 2026, with co-founder Dr. Chengdiao Fan speaking May 6 on aligning Web3, AI, and blockchain for utility, and co-founder Nicolas Kokkalis joining a May 7 panel titled “How to Prove You’re Human in an AI World (Without Doxing Yourself).” Protocol 23’s May 11 date creates a tight strategic sequence: public stage appearance at Consensus on May 6 and 7, followed four days later by the most consequential technical upgrade in Pi’s seven-year history. Protocol 22 removed all non-compliant nodes that had failed to upgrade, enforcing network synchronisation and establishing the stable base required for smart contract execution. Protocol 23 builds on that foundation by enabling developers to write and deploy programmable contracts directly on Pi’s Mainnet, unlocking decentralised applications, token launches via the Pi Launchpad, a native decentralised exchange, and real-world asset tokenisation.

As crypto.news tracked, the Protocol 22 deadline on April 27 disconnected non-compliant nodes and moved the network to Stellar Core 22 under software version 0.5.4, the prerequisite for the smart contract infrastructure Protocol 23 introduces. Pi competes in the proof-of-personhood space with Worldcoin and Humanity Protocol, and the Consensus appearance positions Protocol 23 as part of a broader AI-era identity and programmable finance argument rather than a standalone technical release.

TLDR:

• Bitcoin futures open interest rises 5.92% to $57.621B as leverage builds faster than spot price moves
• Binance leads BTC derivatives with $10.55B, followed by Gate, Bybit, and OKX in rising exposure
• Stable Bitcoin price near $78K contrasts with surging leverage, showing compressed market structure forming
• Open interest near the $60B zone historically precedes sharp volatility shifts and liquidation-driven moves

---

Bitcoin futures open interest rises as derivatives exposure expands across major exchanges while Bitcoin trades near $78,000.

CoinGlass data shows leverage building rapidly to $57.621 billion, reflecting intensified positioning activity ahead of a potential volatility expansion across the market structure.

Leverage built into Bitcoin futures open interest across major exchanges

Bitcoin futures open interest increased 5.92 percent within 24 hours, reaching $57.621 billion across leading derivatives platforms. The rise reflects fresh leverage entering the market rather than position closure.

CoinGlass data shows Binance dominating Bitcoin futures open interest with $10.553 billion in BTC contracts. Gate follows with $5.323 billion, while Bybit and OKX maintain $4.725 billion and $3.349 billion, respectively.

The distribution shows concentration remains high among top exchanges, although participation is gradually broadening. This structure indicates that leveraged exposure is not isolated but spread across multiple trading venues.

Bitcoin futures open interest expansion aligns with relatively stable spot movement near $78,000. This divergence suggests traders are positioning aggressively without strong directional confirmation in price action.

Such behavior typically forms when derivative activity builds faster than underlying asset momentum. Market participants appear to be preparing for breakout conditions while maintaining leveraged exposure on both sides.

Market compression signals a potential volatility shift in Bitcoin futures open interest

Bitcoin futures open interest nearing $57.621 billion places the market close to historically sensitive zones around $60 billion. Previous cycles show similar levels preceding sharp directional moves.

Price action remains compressed despite rising leverage, creating conditions where volatility is temporarily suppressed. This structure often leads to sudden repricing once the imbalance in positioning resolves.

A breakout scenario in Bitcoin futures open interest could trigger short liquidations if resistance levels are breached. This would result in accelerated buy-side pressure across derivatives markets.

On the downside, a price drop could unwind leveraged long positions quickly, producing a fast liquidation cascade. Such moves typically occur when crowded positioning meets weak support levels.

Exchange-level data confirms that Bitcoin futures open interest growth is not isolated to a single platform but is distributed across major venues. This reinforces systemic leverage buildup rather than localized speculation.

Trading activity remains active but not euphoric, indicating structured participation instead of retail-driven spikes. This environment often precedes sharp volatility once directional bias is established.

Bitcoin futures open interest continues to act as a key indicator of market positioning intensity. With leverage rising faster than spot movement, the market structure remains sensitive to sudden shifts in sentiment and liquidity.

Crypto VC funding slid to $659m across 63 April deals, a 74% drop from March that drags monthly flows back to 2024 lows even as DeFi and AI still attract capital.

The crypto venture market hit a fresh air pocket in April, with Cointelegraph reporting that startups in the sector raised just $659 million across 63 funding rounds.

April’s funding cliff takes crypto VC back to 2024 levels

That marks a 74% month‑on‑month drop from March’s roughly $2.6 billion and 84 deals, sending monthly volumes back to their lowest level since 2024 and underscoring how quickly risk appetite has cooled after a burst of early‑2026 optimism.

By Cointelegraph’s count, total crypto VC financing so far in 2026 stands at about $5.64 billion, still substantial but well below the run‑rate implied by October 2025’s local peak, when funding reached around $3.84 billion in a single month.

From October 2025 peak to slow‑motion reset

Since that October 2025 high, monthly funding volumes have been grinding lower in parallel with token prices.
Industry trackers cited by Cointelegraph say global crypto market capitalization has dropped roughly 37% over the same period, compressing valuations and leaving many late‑stage investors nursing mark‑downs.

February already offered a warning shot: Phemex tallied about $866 million raised across 62 deals that month, down 46% from January, with DeFi and AI projects still attracting capital but at smaller ticket sizes.

April’s $659 million figure suggests that slowdown has now deepened into a full‑blown reset, with fewer large growth‑stage rounds and a higher bar for new token launches after data showed roughly 85% of 2025 issuances trade below their issue price.

Where the money still goes—and who is writing checks

Even in a quieter month, some pockets of activity stood out.
DeFi protocols led with 12 deals, followed by 8 for blockchain infrastructure and services and another 8 for AI‑adjacent crypto projects, reflecting continued interest in both core financial primitives and tooling for the emerging “agent” economy.

On the investor side, Cointelegraph’s breakdown highlights the venture arm of market maker GSR as April’s most active backer, participating in four separate raises spanning trading infrastructure and liquidity tooling.

Heavyweights such as Tether, Animoca, and Coinbase Ventures also remained present, each joining three deals, often in smaller, earlier‑stage rounds rather than the nine‑figure growth checks that defined the last cycle’s peak.

For founders, the message is clear: capital is still available, but investors are more selective and more price‑sensitive, with an emphasis on products that can survive leaner market conditions and plug directly into real usage rather than trading purely on narrative.
For the broader market, a slower VC tape tends to mean fewer new tokens hitting exchanges—and more scrutiny on whether existing projects can deliver on their roadmaps without relying on another wave of easy money.

SBI Holdings has begun talks to acquire the Bitbank exchange, expanding its crypto footprint in Japan amid strategic sector consolidation. The move would strengthen Ripple-linked infrastructure as SBI deepens its digital asset strategy across institutional and retail channels. Regulatory changes in Japan are supporting broader institutional participation in crypto markets, contributing to financial modernization of the economy.

Ripple Affiliate SBI Holdings Advances Bitbank Acquisition Plans

SBI Holdings confirmed talks with Bitbank after signing a letter of intent to advance potential acquisition discussions in the Japanese market. The company aims to make Bitbank a consolidated subsidiary after completion of due diligence and regulatory approvals. Final structure and timing depend on approvals and ongoing assessments by relevant authorities in Japan.

SBI says it seeks greater control over Bitbank to strengthen group integration and operational efficiency across subsidiaries. The firm plans to leverage synergies across its crypto-related units to support expansion and market penetration, boosting scalability. It notes Bitbank’s strong security record as a key factor in its evaluation of the competitive exchange landscape.

By welcoming Bitbank into its group, SBI aims to build domestic dominance in the crypto sector over the coming years. SBI also notes potential regulatory shifts under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act framework reform direction for risk management. The company expects greater market consolidation as rules evolve and compliance standards tighten across ecosystems.

Metaplanet Expands Bitcoin Strategy Through Bond Financing

Metaplanet continues expanding its Bitcoin holdings through capital-market fundraising strategies in response to growing institutional demand and momentum. The firm recently issued fifty million dollars in bonds to purchase more Bitcoin through a structured debt-financing process. This move reflects rising corporate interest in Bitcoin accumulation strategies in Japan amid global treasury diversification trends.

Metaplanet strengthens its position as institutional adoption of Bitcoin grows globally on corporate balance sheets. The company aligns its treasury strategy with digital-asset diversification trends in a competitive, efficiently managed financial environment. Market participants view this as part of a broader corporate crypto shift driven by macroeconomic uncertainty.

Bond issuance allows Metaplanet to expand Bitcoin exposure without immediate equity dilution for existing shareholders. The firm continues to build a long-term digital-asset reserve strategy with disciplined capital allocation. Japan’s corporate sector shows growing interest in Bitcoin-based financial structures and structured investment vehicles.

SBI Broadens Crypto Ecosystem Through Partnerships and Acquisitions

SBI has partnered with Visa to develop crypto-linked payment card services to expand digital payments adoption across Japan. The program lets users convert rewards into major digital assets through an integrated fintech infrastructure and rewards system. The initiative connects traditional payments with blockchain-based settlement systems, supporting faster transaction processing and cross-border payment efficiency.

SBI previously acquired BitPoint Japan to expand its domestic crypto footprint and strengthen its exchange-network presence. The group continues consolidating operations to improve efficiency across subsidiaries and reduce operational redundancy. It seeks a stronger position in regulated digital-asset markets under evolving compliance frameworks.

Japan’s evolving regulations create opportunities for large financial conglomerates in the digital finance sector. SBI positions itself for long-term growth in the crypto sector through strategic investment alignment. The company expects integration across exchanges and payment systems to accelerate as the ecosystem matures.