Circle Receives Regulatory Approval to Launch USDC Stablecoin in Japan

Circle, the world's second-largest stablecoin issuer, has received regulatory approval to introduce its USD Coin (USDC) to Japan.

Circle, the world’s second-largest stablecoin issuer, has reportedly received regulatory approval to introduce its USD Coin (USDC) to Japan.

This milestone, announced on Tuesday, makes USDC the first global dollar-backed stablecoin to be authorized under Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) framework.

A strategic partnership with SBI Holdings will support Circle’s entry into the Japanese market. According to the announcement, SBI VC Trade, an SBI Holdings subsidiary, will officially launch USDC on March 26 as part of this initiative. Major Japanese cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance Japan, Bitbank, and BitFlyer, are also preparing to list USDC in the near future.

This approval marks a significant step in Japan’s efforts to regulate and integrate stablecoins into its financial ecosystem. With the increasing adoption of Web3 and blockchain technology, Japan has established clear regulatory guidelines, positioning itself as a leader in digital asset governance.

“We are honored to bring USDC to businesses and consumers in this market. With the strong support of SBI Holdings and leading exchanges, USDC is set to be a secure and transparent digital dollar for Japan’s evolving digital economy,” said Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle.

Yoshitaka Kitao, CEO of SBI Holdings, added, “This partnership is a milestone as we strive to increase the accessibility of digital assets and promote financial innovation. It aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of payments and blockchain-based finance in Japan.”

Circle has been working for more than two years to secure approval for its stablecoin operations in Japan. In July 2023, Allaire revealed that Circle was planning to introduce USDC in the country. At the time, he highlighted Japan’s evolving regulatory framework for stablecoins and expressed confidence that the nation could become a key market for cross-border crypto transactions.

A legislation passed in June 2022 requires stablecoins in Japan to be backed by the yen or another legal currency and to provide holders with the right to redeem them at face value.

The approval in Japan follows a series of strategic regulatory moves by Circle. In July 2024, the company became the first global stablecoin issuer to comply with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework.

Earlier this year, Circle also filed a draft registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a potential initial public offering (IPO). In December 2024, Circle partnered with Binance to increase the adoption and availability of USDC across Binance’s ecosystem.