What Is Strium? Inside SBI Holdings And Startale Group's New Blockchain

Strium is a layer-1 blockchain built by Startale Group and Japan's SBI Holdings to support exchange-layer and settlement infrastructure for institutional trading of foreign exchange, tokenized equities, and real-world assets. 

The platform functions as an exchange-layer network rather than a traditional asset issuance or custody platform, separating market infrastructure from the direct handling of underlying securities.

The launch represents the first major milestone since the two companies announced their strategic partnership in August 2025. The platform arrives alongside proof-of-concept demonstrations intended to validate settlement efficiency, resilience under heavy transaction loads, and interoperability with both legacy financial systems and other blockchain networks.

How Does Strium Work As An Exchange-Layer Network?

Exchange-layer architecture means trading infrastructure exists at the blockchain protocol level instead of sitting on top of existing networks as a decentralized application. This design choice distinguishes Strium from general-purpose blockchains like Ethereum or layer-2 scaling solutions.

The platform aims to provide trading infrastructure separate from traditional banking hours and legacy settlement systems. Strium will support spot and derivatives trading of tokenized equities and asset-backed instruments on a 24/7 basis.

Key technical capabilities tested during the proof-of-concept phase include:

• Settlement efficiency for institutional-grade transaction volumes
• System resilience under heavy loads
• Interoperability with existing financial infrastructure
• Cross-chain compatibility with other blockchain networks

Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group, said equities tokenization represents the next major market in digital assets. He added that Strium aims to bridge the gap between traditional offchain finance and the onchain ecosystem by enabling compliant dividend and royalty payments.

The approach separates Strium from custody platforms or asset issuers. The blockchain provides the infrastructure layer where trading occurs, but does not directly hold or issue the underlying securities.

What Will Trade On Strium?

Trading will initially launch with synthetic versions of US and Japanese stocks and commodities. These instruments function as derivatives rather than direct ownership of underlying shares, similar to contracts for difference or equity swaps in traditional finance.

Synthetic instruments allow traders to gain exposure to price movements without holding the actual asset. This approach addresses regulatory complexities around direct securities ownership while the platform establishes its operational framework.

The platform plans two separate access tiers. Users who complete identity verification and meet local regulatory requirements can access tokenized representations of real shares and asset-backed tokens. A separate open layer will allow other users to participate without these compliance checks.

This dual-layer design addresses both institutional demand for regulated securities trading and broader market participation. The companies did not specify which jurisdictions will receive access first or provide timelines for the transition from synthetic to real tokenized shares.

Who Is Behind Strium And Why Did They Partner?

SBI Holdings is a Tokyo-based financial services group with over 80 million customers. The company operates businesses across securities brokerage, banking, asset management, and cryptocurrency services in Japan and internationally.

Watanabe noted that SBI Holdings brings regulated financial infrastructure and multiple licensed entities into the joint venture. Group entities have already participated in regulated digital asset initiatives, including a planned yen stablecoin structure involving Shinsei Trust & Banking and SBI VC Trade.

Startale Group develops blockchain infrastructure and applications. The company recently received $13 million from Sony to develop the Ethereum Layer 2 project Soneium and operate Astar Network, Japan's largest public blockchain.

The partnership combines SBI's regulatory relationships and traditional finance expertise with Startale's blockchain development capabilities. SBI Holdings Chairman and President Yoshitaka Kitao called tokenized assets and token-based settlement an "irreversible societal trend."

Previously, SBI and Startale announced a collaboration in August 2025 to develop a yen-based stablecoin and a platform for real-world asset trading. That project targets cross-border instant settlements, fractional ownership, and compliant onchain transactions.

What Is The Timeline For Strium's Launch?

The proof of concept has been completed to demonstrate the platform's settlement capabilities, performance under high transaction volumes, and interoperability with existing financial infrastructure and blockchain networks. The companies did not provide specific performance metrics or technical specifications.

A public testnet is planned as the next step toward commercial deployment. The testnet will allow early participants to access the blockchain, though no specific timeline was provided.

The development roadmap includes three phases:

1. Proof of concept (complete)
2. Partner integration and regulatory engagement (current phase)
3. Production deployment (timeline pending)

The companies said they would share further details on commercial deployment in coming months. Watanabe added that discussions with regulators, including in Japan, will come later as the project expands into individual markets.

How Does Strium Fit Into Japan's Broader Tokenization Strategy?

The venture represents an effort to capitalize on what the companies described as an $18.9 trillion market opportunity for tokenized assets. The platform targets institutional investors and professional traders seeking access to securities-linked products through blockchain-based systems.

Strium operates under Japan's new stablecoin rules and the Financial Services Agency's Payment Innovation Project. The FSA initiative already backs a joint yen stablecoin pilot by Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo Mitsui, and Mizuho.

The yen stablecoin project between SBI and Startale pairs Startale's blockchain stack with SBI's reach as one of Japan's largest financial groups. The project targets a share of a $300 billion stablecoin market still dominated by dollar-pegged tokens.

Shinsei Trust & Banking handles issuance and redemption for the yen stablecoin, while SBI VC Trade manages circulation as a licensed crypto asset exchange. Startale leads technical development, including smart contracts and security, while SBI oversees compliance and institutional distribution.

SBI Holdings is also increasing its investment in the crypto sector, including investing in Circle's IPO and developing a crypto ETF that may be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Conclusion

Strium provides exchange-layer infrastructure for institutional trading of tokenized equities and real-world assets through a purpose-built layer-1 blockchain. The platform combines SBI Holdings' regulated financial services infrastructure with Startale Group's blockchain development expertise to support 24/7 spot and derivatives trading separate from traditional banking systems.

Resources

1. Startale Group on X: Posts (February, 2026)

2. Blog article by Startale: Startale Group secures an additional $13M investment at the first close of its Series A

3. Press release by SBI Holdings: Japan's Giant Financial Conglomerate SBI Holdings Partners with Startale Group to Develop an All-in-one OnChain Trading Platform for Tokenized Stocks and RWAs 

4. Report by CoinTelegraph: Startale, SBI launch blockchain for institutional FX, RWA trading