Author: James Wo, Founder & CEO, DFG
DFG is honored to return to TEAMZ for the third consecutive year, co-hosting the conference with many important partners. As one of our key investment areas, AI continues to drive innovation, and Japan remains one of the most dynamic and forward-looking regions in Asia. The 2025 TEAMZ Summit attracted approximately 10,000 attendees, including more than 100 Web3 and AI exhibitors and more than 100 investment companies. The summit focused on the latest breakthroughs in Web3, AI, and blockchain, and delved into emerging market trends and future growth opportunities. Despite the broader challenges facing the market, the resilience and momentum of the Japanese crypto ecosystem were on full display.
Web3 x AI Fusion
One of the most dynamic themes at the TEAMZ Web3 AI Summit 2025 was the deep integration of Web3 and AI technologies - a convergence that Japan is uniquely positioned to lead. Startups and enterprises demonstrated how decentralized infrastructure can power AI applications with greater transparency, security, and data ownership. One prominent trend is the use of blockchain to train AI models on distributed datasets, enabling privacy-preserving machine learning. These applications are gaining traction, especially in the healthcare, finance, and logistics sectors, which need to leverage sensitive data without compromising confidentiality.
Japanese companies are also exploring AI-generated digital assets, such as NFTs created by generative models, and decentralized AI services running on smart contracts. Some projects have demonstrated tools that allow users to co-own and train AI agents on-chain, laying the foundation for the growing field of autonomous decentralized applications. Government-backed accelerators and academic partnerships have further fueled this wave of innovation, with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and other institutions actively funding and promoting research on AI and Web3 use cases. Together, these initiatives reflect a national strategy that sees this convergence not only as a business opportunity, but also as a fundamental shift in how data, trust, and intelligence are managed.
Stablecoin adoption
In 2024 and 2025, Japan has made significant progress in the adoption of stablecoins, driven by regulatory approval and industry strategic initiatives. With the implementation of Japan's revised Payment Services Act, financial institutions have begun to issue compliant stablecoins under a clear legal framework. This has catalyzed innovation across the fintech sector, allowing traditional banks and blockchain-native companies to explore the application of stablecoins in payment, settlement, and cross-border transfers.
SBI VC Trade, a cryptocurrency exchange under SBI Holdings, has received regulatory approval from the Financial Services Agency (JFSA) of Japan to launch USDC under the Japanese stablecoin regulatory framework. The approval marks an important milestone, making USDC the first and only global dollar-backed stablecoin approved for circulation in Japan. The launch of USDC reinforces Japan's commitment to promoting digital financial innovation while maintaining strict regulation, and makes SBI and Circle pioneers stablecoin applications in the region.
In addition to SBI and Circle, other initiatives have further accelerated the momentum. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust's Progmat Coin platform has expanded its pilot project, focusing on the issuance of yen-backed stablecoins for corporate use. Some regional banks are also actively testing the use of stablecoins in local economies and the interoperability of digital wallets. These developments highlight Japan's growing demand for secure, programmable digital currencies, positioning stablecoins as a foundational element of the country's digital financial future.
Japan’s Web3 Renaissance
The Japanese Web3 landscape is experiencing a strong resurgence, thanks to an influx of international projects and strong momentum among local developers. At the TEAMZ Web3 AI Summit 2025, international blockchain projects announced plans to enter or deepen their relationships with the Japanese market. These projects include infrastructure, DeFi platforms, and blockchain-based AI solutions. Japan’s appeal lies in its well-developed regulatory framework, high digital literacy, and cultural readiness to adopt next-generation technologies. Companies also pointed to Japan’s active institutional support and strategic location in Asia as key reasons for their expansion into the region.
Meanwhile, Japanese startups and enterprises are rapidly embracing Web3, not only for local market development but also for international expansion. Japanese projects showcased their Web3 transformation at the summit, ranging from anime IP tokenization, decentralized gaming ecosystems, and blockchain-based fintech platforms. Companies that have traditionally focused on Web2 services are now turning to a Web3 model, often working hand in hand with global partners. This includes companies aiming for interoperability, global token issuance, and entry into overseas DeFi and NFT markets, as reflected by Japan's emerging marketing companies. This dual movement of "in" and "out" reflects the resurgence of Japan's Web3 ecosystem, which is increasingly aligned with global innovation trends and is ready to shape the next era of the digital economy.
DFG at TEAMZ 2025
In the Bloom of Web3 was hosted by DFG in partnership with Soneium, Amber Group, and Jsquare. It was our second signature side event during TEAMZ, following last year’s successful Web3 In Bloom. We invited over 130 guests to an unforgettable evening of nigiri, premium shochu, and breathtaking night views of Tokyo. The atmosphere was lively, with well-known Japanese companies engaging in meaningful conversations with leaders and innovators in the Web3 space, connecting traditional businesses with the future of decentralized technology.
We are very honored to co-host the TEAMZ WEB3/AI Summit 2025 with Jsquare and other partners. I am very happy to participate in the roundtable discussion on " Web3 and AI Investment Frontier " to discuss topics such as AI transformation, AI anti-fraud, and on-chain data.
This year, we brought back merch – this time featuring our popular bucket hats! The DFG team had great conversations with booth visitors and gave away exclusive merch as a fun way to connect with each other.
See you next time, TEAMZ!
TEAMZ Web3 AI Summit 2025 was a powerful reflection of Japan’s increasingly accelerating role in the global Web3 and AI space. From the lively turnout, high-quality discussions, to the strong participation of international projects and local businesses, it was clear that Japan is not only open to innovation, but is actively shaping it. With further regulatory clarity and continued growth in corporate interest, the Japanese cryptocurrency market has emerged as one of the most promising in Asia. DFG remains deeply committed to Japan and is optimistic about its long-term potential. We believe that Japan will continue to dominate the Web3 adoption space, and we look forward to playing an active role in supporting its development and transformation.
