Chainlink and SBI Digital Markets Form Strategic Partnership to Advance Asset Tokenization in Asia-Pacific

Chainlink, the world’s leading decentralized oracle network, has officially announced a strategic partnership with SBI Digital Markets (SBIDM), the digital asset arm of Japan’s financial conglomerate SBI Group.The collaboration aims to develop secure, scalable, and regulatory-compliant cross-chain digital asset solutions to accelerate the adoption of real-world asset (RWA) and financial instrument tokenization across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

The partnership designates Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) as the core integration foundation.
CCIP enables secure asset transfers across different blockchains and provides the necessary off-chain data connectivity to support products such as tokenized funds, regulated stablecoins, and cross-platform settlement mechanisms.Through this collaboration, SBIDM will explore CCIP’s implementation to facilitate the movement of funds and tokenized real-world assets within an operational framework that emphasizes legal compliance and transaction transparency.

Initial Focus on Japan Before Regional Expansion

According to a report from Phemex, citing the official statements from both parties, the initial phase of the collaboration will focus on Japan’s domestic market, before expanding into the broader APAC region.

Several key projects under development include:

• Verification of reserves for regulated stablecoins

• Tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) such as real estate, bonds, and capital market instruments

• Cross-chain settlements that maintain transaction privacy and data integrity using CCIP Private Transactions

This initiative is expected to bridge the gap between traditional financial infrastructure and public blockchain ecosystems, creating a gateway for financial institutions seeking to adopt blockchain-based solutions with institutional-grade security standards.

SBI Group, a major player in the Asian financial sector, emphasized that this partnership will accelerate the readiness of financial institutions to integrate tokenized asset services into their products and operations. Meanwhile, Chainlink highlighted that its collaboration with SBI will expand access to Japan’s institutional market and ensure local regulatory compliance—a critical factor in strengthening institutional confidence in on-chain financial solutions.

A Signal of Transformation in Global Finance

Industry observers view this collaboration as a reflection of a broader paradigm shift in global finance, where traditional institutions are increasingly seeking reliable oracle infrastructure and cross-chain interoperability to support blockchain-based operations. By combining Chainlink’s oracle technology with SBI’s institutional client network, the partnership has the potential to deliver innovations in tokenized fund management, on-chain capital markets, and digital custody services equipped with real-time proof-of-reserve verification.

However, analysts also caution that several challenges remain, including cross-jurisdictional compliance, integration with legacy financial systems, and data privacy protection without compromising on-chain auditability. The success of this initiative will largely depend on technical pilot projects, regulatory approval, and market infrastructure readiness to adopt secure, standardized tokenized settlement systems.

Next Steps and Implementation Timeline

The Chainlink–SBIDM partnership was first announced in August 2025, with recent updates confirming that technical integration testing and implementation phases will continue over the upcoming quarters. Industry participants are advised to monitor Chainlink’s official releases for updates on CCIP advancements, as well as SBIDM’s announcements regarding integration schedules and lists of financial partners expected to participate in the pilot projects.