SBI Holdings, crypto payments network Mesh and Tokyo-listed fintech Money Forward have signed a strategic agreement to form a joint venture that will build digital asset connectivity and payments infrastructure in Japan, the three companies announced on Wednesday. The venture is targeted to launch in Japan in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to definitive agreements and regulatory approvals, with expansion across Asia-Pacific to be evaluated later.

The companies describe the venture as a connectivity layer across Japan’s digital asset market, combining SBI’s regulated financial infrastructure, Mesh’s API network for linking exchanges and wallets, and Money Forward’s fintech platform. Its stated remit covers five areas: account…