Core Insights - A consortium of major Japanese securities firms and trust banks, led by SBI Holdings, will launch a regulated platform for trading tokenized public company shares starting in 2026, allowing trades 24/7 with minimum investments as low as 1 Japanese yen [1][2][4] Group 1: Market Transformation - The initiative aims to convert traditional listed equities into Security Tokens (STs), creating a new industry-wide infrastructure for trading these assets, which are valued in trillions of dollars [2][3] - The introduction of a digital securities system will challenge existing market norms that typically require stock purchases in minimum lot sizes, thus enhancing accessibility for retail investors [3][4] Group 2: Regulatory Environment - Japan's clear regulatory frameworks for digital securities position it as a leader in the space, allowing institutional players to engage within established compliance structures [3][4] - The initiative is seen as a strategic move to align Japan's financial offerings with the expectations of a digital-savvy generation, promoting a shift from savings to investment [4][5] Group 3: Liquidity and Accessibility - The proposed system will enable unprecedented fractional ownership and liquidity, with a minimum investment threshold set at just JPY 1, facilitating continuous trading [3][4] - The unique nature of this initiative highlights the scarcity of regulated 24/7 on-chain equity trading venues globally, emphasizing its significance [4][5]

TIER IV, a specialist in open-source software for autonomous driving, has secured a credit facility worth US$7 million (¥1 billion) from Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (SMTB), one of Japan's leading trust banks. The facility provides flexible funding to meet working-capital needs arising from TIER IV's domestic and international expansion. It will support the wider rollout of the company's autonomous driving services, paving the way for the next stage of growth, it says. Building on its advanced autonomous d ...