Startale Group Closes $63M Series A to Expand Tokenized Securities Infrastructure

Startale Group announced on March 25, 2026, that it has completed a $63 million Series A funding round, including a $50 million second close led by SBI Group and a previously disclosed $13 million first close from Sony Innovation Fund.

The Singapore-based company, which operates extensively in Japan, plans to use the capital to scale its Layer 1 blockchain Strium for institutional tokenized securities and real-world asset (RWA) trading, expand adoption of its yen and dollar stablecoins, and develop its Startale App into a broader “SuperApp” for asset management, payments, and onchain services. The round builds on existing partnerships with SBI and Sony, which have already collaborated with Startale on Strium, the JPYSC stablecoin, and the Sony-backed Ethereum Layer 2 network Soneium.

Funding Round Structure and Partners

Investment Details

The Series A round comprises two closes:

$50 million second close: Led by SBI Group, building on an existing partnership that has already produced Strium and JPYSC

$13 million first close: From Sony Innovation Fund, announced in January 2026

Startale CEO Sota Watanabe stated: “The close of our $63 million Series A reflects the strong conviction our partners have in the vision we are building. Through the deep collaboration with SBI, we will accelerate the adoption of tokenized stocks, centered on Japanese equities and JPY stablecoin, this year.”

Strategic Partnerships

The funding brings together Startale’s two most important strategic partners:

SBI Group: Collaborated with Startale on Strium (a Layer 1 blockchain for tokenized securities) and JPYSC (the first trust bank-backed Japanese yen stablecoin)

Sony: Backed Startale through its investment arm and collaborated on Soneium, Sony’s Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain

Product Portfolio and Market Position

Strium: Institutional Blockchain Infrastructure

Strium is a Layer 1 blockchain designed specifically for tokenized securities and real-world asset trading. Startale will use the new funding to scale Strium to power institutional tokenized securities and RWA trading, with an initial focus on Japanese equities.

Stablecoin Offerings

Startale has developed two stablecoins:

JPYSC: Described as the first trust bank-backed Japanese yen stablecoin, developed in collaboration with SBI Group

USDSC: A dollar-denominated stablecoin

The company plans to expand adoption of both stablecoins as part of its funding deployment.

Startale App and Soneium

Startale previously collaborated with Sony to launch Soneium, Sony’s Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain, and continues to expand its ecosystem. The Startale App, currently tied to Soneium, will be upgraded to a “SuperApp” for asset management, payments, blockchain applications, and social features.

Strategic Context

Institutional Onchain Finance

The funding positions Startale at the intersection of two major trends: institutional adoption of onchain financial infrastructure and the convergence of entertainment with blockchain technology. The company’s focus on tokenized securities aligns with Japan’s broader push to integrate crypto trading into existing financial infrastructure, as noted by Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, who has expressed support for integrating crypto trading into the country’s stock exchanges.

Market Timing

The funding round comes as Japan actively tests how blockchain systems can connect to existing financial infrastructure, with regulatory frameworks evolving to accommodate tokenized assets and stablecoins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Startale Group?

Startale Group is a Singapore-based company operating primarily in Japan that builds blockchain tools for both financial firms and retail users. Its products include Strium (a Layer 1 blockchain for tokenized securities), JPYSC and USDSC stablecoins, and the Startale App, which is tied to the Sony-backed Ethereum Layer 2 network Soneium.

What will the $63 million Series A funding be used for?

Startale plans to use the funding to scale Strium for institutional tokenized securities and real-world asset trading, expand adoption of its JPYSC and USDSC stablecoins, and upgrade the Startale App into a broader “SuperApp” for asset management, payments, and onchain services.

What is Strium and how does it differ from Soneium?

Strium is a Layer 1 blockchain developed by Startale in collaboration with SBI Group, designed specifically for tokenized securities and real-world asset trading. Soneium is an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain developed with Sony, focused on consumer applications. Both operate within Startale’s broader ecosystem.