Core Insights - SBI Holdings has announced a collaboration with Startale Group to launch a proof of concept (PoC) for a Layer 1 blockchain named Strium Network, aimed at tokenized stocks [1] - Strium is positioned as the foundational trading layer for the "Asian on-chain securities market," emphasizing 24/7 trading, rapid cross-border settlement, and DeFi composability [1] - The partnership previously announced the development of a yen stablecoin and a real-world asset (RWA) trading platform, with plans to launch a testnet soon [1] - Startale is a key developer for Sony's L2 project Soneium and operates the Japanese public blockchain Astar Network [1]

Core Insights - SBI Holdings is collaborating with Startale Group to develop a new Layer 1 blockchain network named Strium, aimed at supporting real-world assets, particularly tokenized securities [2][4] - The initiative is part of a broader trend towards onchain equities, with various firms, including Kraken and Robinhood, enhancing their onchain stock capabilities [3] - Strium is designed to facilitate global capital markets through a blockchain-native exchange architecture, promoting faster market formation and deeper liquidity [4] Company Developments - SBI and Startale's partnership was initially announced in August 2025, focusing on a round-the-clock trading platform for real-world assets, enabling access to equities from multiple countries with quick cross-border settlement [5] - Startale has recently secured an additional $13 million from Sony to enhance its Ethereum Layer 2 project, Soneium, which is co-developed with Sony Block Solutions Labs [6] Market Positioning - Strium Network is positioned as the foundational exchange layer for Asia's onchain securities markets, leveraging SBI Holdings' extensive customer base of 80 million and its expertise in financial services [7] - The platform aims to empower institutional and professional participants to trade and unlock assets in innovative ways, overcoming limitations of traditional market structures [7]