Japanese financial group SBI Holdings has officially acquired a majority stake in Singapore-based crypto asset platform Coinhako, expanding its influence across the Asia-Pacific digital asset market. The deal was finalized on July 16 following approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Deal structure and regulatory status
SBI Holdings completed the acquisition through its Singapore subsidiary, SBI Ventures Asset, which now holds the majority interest in Holdbuild, the parent company of Coinhako. The transaction involved a capital injection and share purchase from existing shareholders, positioning Coinhako as a consolidated subsidiary of the group.
Neither SBI Holdings nor Coinhako disclosed the financial terms of the acquisition. Coinhako’s operations in Singapore are managed by Hako Technology, which holds a Major Payment Institution license granted by the MAS, allowing comprehensive digital payment services within Singapore’s regulated environment.
In addition, Alpha Hako, another entity within the Coinhako group, is registered as a crypto asset service provider with the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission. This international presence underscores Coinhako’s ambition to build a strong network across regional markets.
Mini dictionary: Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS): Singapore’s central bank and main financial regulatory authority, responsible for overseeing monetary policy, banking, insurance, securities, and the broader regulation of the financial sector.
SBI Holdings targets Asia-Pacific digital asset expansion
SBI Holdings identified Singapore as a strategic growth hub for its digital asset business. The conglomerate, led by Chairman and President Yoshitaka Kitao, has partnered with Japanese blockchain company Startale to develop advanced financial infrastructure powered by distributed ledger technology.
Among the partnership’s initiatives is JPYSC, promoted as Japan’s first trust-type yen-denominated stablecoin. The coin aims to connect investors and institutions across different jurisdictions using blockchain technology.
Yoshitaka Kitao described the ambition to “create a global corridor for digital assets by connecting exchanges worldwide, enabling investors to make optimal investments without being restricted by borders or currency barriers.”
Kitao further emphasized that Singapore’s clear and sophisticated regulatory approach made it a high-priority location for SBI’s digital finance operations. In recognition of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore, SBI is also organizing an overseas branch manager meeting in Singapore this summer.
Coinhako strengthens Southeast Asia presence
Founded nearly a decade ago by Yusho Liu and Gerry Eng, Coinhako has established itself as one of Southeast Asia’s longstanding crypto trading platforms. The exchange has operated under Singapore’s evolving regulatory landscape and built a strong customer base in the region. Both co-founders are set to continue leading Coinhako after the acquisition.
CEO Yusho Liu stated that joining the SBI Group is a “natural step” for Coinhako’s next phase of growth, describing the move as an opportunity to accelerate the delivery of next-generation digital financial services to customers across Southeast Asia.
Liu also underlined Coinhako’s decade-long dedication to regulatory compliance and investor trust. With SBI’s resources and technology, he envisions significant expansion for the platform in key Southeast Asian markets.
Looking ahead, SBI Holdings announced plans to pursue new opportunities in areas such as tokenization, stablecoins, and cross-border trading. The company positioned the Coinhako acquisition as a way to bridge digital asset markets between Japan and Southeast Asia, leveraging both Coinhako’s network and SBI’s global infrastructure.
Both organizations view the partnership as a foundation for enhanced collaboration, product offerings, and broader access to digital assets in the region.
