Mitsubishi UFG Enters $1.3B Security Token Market With Retail Platform

Core Insights - Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) has launched a security token platform named ASTOMO for retail investors, entering a market that has reached a cumulative issuance of $1.27 billion (JPY 193.8 billion) as of August 2025 [1][2] - The ASTOMO platform allows investments in fractionalized real estate starting at $653 (JPY 100,000), significantly lowering the entry barrier for retail investors [1] - Japan's security token market has seen rapid expansion, with projections suggesting it could reach $2.29 billion (JPY 350 billion) in accumulated issuance [2] Market Development - Major Japanese financial institutions have focused on security token issuance under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, with MUFG's entry following similar initiatives by Daiwa Securities, Mizuho Trust Bank, and Nomura Holdings [3][4] - The application of blockchain technology by banks and securities firms has extended beyond real estate to include corporate bonds and infrastructure investments [4] - Japan legally defines security tokens as "Electronically Recorded Transferable Rights," requiring compliance with existing securities regulations [4] Regulatory Environment - The security token market in Japan operates within a strict regulatory framework, which differentiates it from tokenization trends in other regions [5] - Licensed financial institutions dominate the issuance of security tokens in Japan, limiting the integration of tokenized assets into decentralized finance protocols [5][7] - The Osaka Digital Exchange launched a secondary trading platform for security tokens in December 2023, addressing historical liquidity constraints in private asset investments [6] - Pending tax reforms may broaden the scope of eligible assets for tokenization, potentially resolving double taxation issues [6]