Japan's largest bank Japan Post Bank to introduce tokenized deposits next year…Traditional financial sector accelerates blockchain entry

Japan's largest state-owned financial institution, Japan Post Bank, will introduce 'tokenized deposits' starting next year. It is being noted as the first major Japanese bank to formally adopt a blockchain-based system.

According to local media including The Asahi Shimbun on the 13th, Japan Post Bank plans to offer a dedicated digital account service linked to the 'digital yen (DCJPY)' for individual customers from fiscal year 2026 (April 2026–March 2027). The structure digitizes existing savings account funds on a 1:1 basis and deposits them into a separate account, which customers can use for payments or trading financial products.

DCJPY is a platform developed by Tokyo-based fintech firm DeCurret DCP and has the same value as the yen. Japan Post Bank, which holds ¥190 trillion (about ₩1,788 trillion) in deposit assets as of the end of March, is seen as symbolizing the entry of regulated finance into blockchain.

Initial use cases are expected to be limited to blockchain-based asset transactions such as △real estate investment securities (equity real estate) △digital art. The tokenized deposits do not pay interest but are covered by deposit insurance, ensuring safety.

Similar cases are spreading in global finance. JPMorgan Chase operates 'JPM Coin' for corporate payments, and Citigroup and Singapore's DBS Bank are also seeking to introduce tokenized deposits. Boston Consulting Group projects the tokenized asset market to grow from about ₩835 trillion in 2025 to ₩26,292 trillion in 2033.