Circle and Nomura Team Up for Digital FX Settlements in Japan
Circle and Nomura Holdings announce a partnership to launch a USD Coin-based settlement service for cross-border transactions in Japan, potentially rolling out in 2027. This initiative aims to improve efficiency in Japan's foreign exchange market, which currently handles approximately $440 billion in daily transactions, according to CoinDesk.
Circle Internet Financial has joined forces with Nomura Holdings to establish a digital asset settlement business in Japan. This collaboration aims to facilitate a corporate payment service, which will allow Japanese businesses to exchange yen for USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar.
The new service focuses on enhancing Japan's significant import, export, and corporate currency markets by utilizing blockchain technology. It seeks to drastically reduce the time required for cross-border and foreign-exchange transfers from several days to mere minutes. As of 2025, Japan's foreign exchange market was processing around $440 billion in daily transactions, highlighting the potential market impact.
Japan’s updated payment regulations have made it possible for USDC to be used corporately, marking it as the first global dollar stablecoin approved for local corporate use by the Financial Services Agency. Circle will operate through its local branch, Circle Japan, which currently collaborates with SBI Holdings for distribution.
Nomura is designated to oversee client onboarding, regulatory compliance, and the integration of the new service with existing banking infrastructures. Over the next year, the partners plan to finalize the necessary arrangements for custody and complete banking integrations, with a target launch in 2027.
This partnership carries potential implications for the speed and cost of financial transactions in Japan, which traditionally rely on standard bank wires that typically take two to three business days to finalize between yen and other currencies. The transition to a blockchain-based system could streamline these processes significantly, fostering quicker business operations and lower transaction costs.
Summary based on original reporting by Olivier Acuna at CoinDesk, originally published Jun 25, 2026. SolanaWire does not republish source content.
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