SBI Holdings Teams Up with Mesh and Money Forward for Japanese Crypto Connectivity
SBI Holdings and crypto payments network Mesh are teaming up to form a joint venture with fintech company Money Forward. The new entity, expected to launch in Japan by Q4 2026, will provide digital asset connectivity and payment infrastructure in the region.
The three companies announced their strategic agreement on Wednesday, aiming to create a 'connectivity layer' across Japan's digital asset market.
The joint venture combines SBI's regulated financial infrastructure with Mesh's API network for linking exchanges and wallets, and Money Forward's fintech platform. Its main objectives include account linking and asset transfers between exchanges and wallets, onboarding and purchase flows, and cross-border payment networks connecting digital assets to fiat currencies.
Money Forward has been an investor in Mesh since 2023, while SBI Investment took part in the latter's $75 million Series C funding round in January. This partnership effectively gives Mesh a local distribution arm backed by two of its shareholders.