Japan’s Only Licensed Stablecoin Exchange | SBI VC Trade CEO Kondo Tomohiko

In this episode of Bitcoin.com News Interviews, host Koji Nakamura speaks with Kondo Tomohiko, CEO of SBI VC Trade, during a live stream in Tokyo. The conversation centers on Japan’s first licensed stablecoin exchange and the upcoming launch of RLUSD and JPY SC—Japan’s first yen-stablecoin—by SBI VC Trade. Kondo discusses the regulatory milestones achieved, the strategic importance of holding both crypto and stablecoin licenses, and the company's vision for expanding financial services through combined crypto-stablecoin offerings. He reflects on Japan’s evolving crypto landscape, referencing past incidents like the Coincheck hack and how stricter regulations have improved trust. Kondo also touches on generational shifts in financial attitudes, the lack of crypto education in Japan, and the potential of blockchain technology to transform traditional finance, especially for younger demographics. The interview concludes with a discussion on Japan’s growing institutional interest in Bitcoin, including Metaplanet’s role as a major Bitcoin company and the broader implications for Japan’s digital economy.