Partnership to focus on proof-of-concept initiatives and business development for AI agent payments powered by Japan’s trust bank-backed stablecoin
SAN FRANCISCO & TOKYO, March 27, 2026 — Nonagon Capital, a San Francisco Bay Area-based venture fund focused on digital assets and blockchain innovation, and Startale Group, a Singapore-headquartered global fintech company, today announced a strategic business partnership to jointly advance proof-of-concept initiatives and business development for JPYSC, the JPY-denominated trust-based stablecoin co-developed by Startale Group and SBI Group.
JPYSC is Japan’s trust bank-backed yen stablecoin. Issued by Shinsei Trust & Banking (a subsidiary of SBI Shinsei Bank) under Japan’s Payment Services Act, JPYSC is classified as an Item (iii) Electronic Payment Instrument (EPI) which is commonly referred to as a stablecoin issued in the form of trust-beneficiary rights. SBI VC Trade serves as the distribution partner and Startale Group leads technical development, including smart contract architecture and security infrastructure. The official launch is targeted for Q2 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
JPYSC is not subject to the JPY 1 million per-transaction cap on domestic transfers, which makes it suitable for enterprise-grade settlements. The stablecoin is designed for interoperability across traditional financial systems and blockchain networks, positioning it as a globally trusted infrastructure for a regulated digital yen.
The convergence of blockchain infrastructure and autonomous AI agents is giving rise to a new domain known as "Agentic Payment. Both companies see this as a defining opportunity for the next-generation economy. Deloitte’s report *“The Future of Commerce in an Agentic World”* projects AI agent-driven commerce to reach USD 17.5 trillion by 2030. Stablecoins with programmable settlement capabilities, on-chain identity verification (KYA), and low-cost micropayment rails are positioned to serve as the native payment layer for this emerging ecosystem.
Nonagon Capital announced in February 2026 its strategic focus on investing in and building within the Agentic Payment space. This partnership with Startale Group represents its first major initiative in that direction.
Under the partnership, the two companies plan to:
The insights gained from these initiatives will form the operational blueprint for a swift global rollout, utilizing the partners' combined international reach. Further details will be shared through subsequent announcements as developments progress.
Startale Group is a leading global crypto solutions provider on a mission to build the next civilization by bringing the world onchain. The company co-develops Soneium with Sony Group Corporation and is developing Strium through SBI Holdings, a platform enabling 24/7 trading of tokenized securities. Startale powers onchain finance through its native stablecoins JPYSC and USDSC, and offers the Startale App, a SuperApp that unifies asset management, engagement and exploring blockchain applications into a single seamless experience.
Website: https://startale.com