Tokenized Stocks Go Mainstream as Japan Prepares 2026 Rollout
Japan’s financial sector is preparing for a major transformation as a consortium led by SBI Holdings and the country’s largest trust banks unveils plans to introduce 24/7 trading of tokenized stocks starting in 2026.
The initiative will allow both retail and institutional investors to buy and sell blockchain-based versions of publicly listed shares with minimum purchase amounts as low as 1 Japanese yen (JPY).
Japan Builds the World’s Largest Regulated On-Chain Equity Market
The effort marks one of the most ambitious applications of blockchain technology in traditional finance to date. Under the plan, existing shares of publicly listed companies will be converted into Security Tokens (STs) and traded through a nationwide, regulated infrastructure. The tokenized shares represent a massive asset class, measured in trillions of dollars, that will now be accessible through digital markets.
Unlike many experimental tokenization projects elsewhere, Japan’s framework provides clear legal and regulatory guidance for digital securities. This clarity allows banks, brokerages, and institutional investors to participate confidently within existing compliance structures.
As one analyst noted on X, Japan’s approach places it among a handful of global jurisdictions actively advancing real-world asset regulation.
Redefining Liquidity and Accessibility
Currently, Japan’s stock market operates on a system requiring purchases in minimum lots of 100 shares, often limiting access for small investors. The new digital securities framework will remove those barriers by enabling fractional ownership down to a single yen.
Investors will also be able to trade continuously, without the constraints of market hours. This 24/7 access represents a significant departure from traditional equity markets and aligns with the expectations of a digitally native generation of investors. The system aims to drive a shift from savings to investment by offering a more flexible and accessible market structure.
One market observer highlighted the scale of the change, calling it the first global venue where equities can be traded on-chain around the clock. The move, they argued, could reshape how global markets are valued as tokenized trading models spread.
A Blueprint for Global Real-World Asset Adoption
The project is expected to draw international attention as regulators and exchanges study Japan’s model. Unlike smaller-scale pilots seen in other countries, the Japanese initiative represents a coordinated, industry-wide effort supported by the nation’s largest financial institutions.
If successful, it could become the global benchmark for bringing traditional securities on-chain at scale, bridging conventional financial markets with blockchain infrastructure. Industry analysts view the effort as a critical step toward mainstream adoption of tokenized stocks and a major milestone in the broader real-world asset (RWA) movement.
RWA market overview (Source: RWA.xyz)
