PAYPAY acquires 40% stake in Binance in Japan

Summary of the deal

PayPay Corporation, the digital payments arm of SoftBank Group, has officially announced the acquisition of a 40% stake in Binance Japan, marking one of the most important strategic partnerships between traditional finance and the global cryptocurrency industry in 2025.

The deal marks a major milestone in Japan’s burgeoning digital asset landscape — combining Binance’s global crypto trading infrastructure with PayPay’s massive domestic payments network, which serves over 60 million users across the country.

The Japanese cryptocurrency market has undergone a significant regulatory transition under the Financial Services Agency (FSA), which encourages platforms to be compliant and institutionally qualified. Binance Japan, which was relaunched in 2023 after acquiring Sakura Exchange BitCoin (SEBC), has since focused on regulatory compliance and localization.

Having PayPay — a key fintech subsidiary of SoftBank — become a major shareholder brings strategic advantages to both parties:

• For Binance Japan: Access to Japan's largest digital payments ecosystem, financial infrastructure, and local trust network.

• For PayPay: Rapidly enter the regulated Web3 transaction and cryptocurrency market, expanding its scope of operations from digital payments to digital assets and crypto finance.

The partnership fits into Japan’s broader national strategy to integrate blockchain finance into mainstream fintech systems while maintaining strict consumer protection standards.

Implications for Japanese Asset Assets

This acquisition connects two powerful ecosystems—Japan's most used payment app and the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange—creating a potential model for hybrid digital finance.

This could lead to seamless integration between crypto and fiat, in-app transactions, and even stablecoin-based transfers within the PayPay platform.

SoftBank's support through PayPay brings credibility to Binance's operations in Japan. The move is expected to reduce regulatory scrutiny and strengthen Binance Japan's position in a highly regulated market.

Through PayPay's existing network, Binance Japan can reach tens of millions of retail users, driving cryptocurrency adoption and everyday payments using blockchain infrastructure.

This integration could also pave the way for crypto loyalty programs, NFT ticket sales, and tokenized e-commerce features.

SoftBank has been steadily expanding its digital financial portfolio — from telecom-backed fintech to blockchain-based services. The PayPay-Binance Japan alliance fits perfectly into its roadmap for financial digitization and borderless payments across Asia.

Evaluation and Conclusion

PayPay’s acquisition of a 40% stake in Binance Japan is more than just a financial transaction — it’s a strategic alliance between Web2 fintech and Web3 finance. By combining Binance’s global trading capabilities with PayPay’s domestic reach, the partnership could transform Japan’s cryptocurrency infrastructure into one of the world’s most advanced retail blockchain ecosystems.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is the author's personal opinion in the cryptocurrency field. It is not intended to be financial or investment advice. Any investment decision should be based on careful consideration of your personal portfolio and risk tolerance. The views expressed in this article do not represent the official position of the platform. We recommend that readers conduct their own research and consult with a professional before making any investment decisions.