PayPay Acquires 40% Stake in Binance Japan

Japan’s financial market has just witnessed a remarkable deal as PayPay, a subsidiary of SoftBank Group, officially acquired 40% of Binance Japan, the Japanese arm of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance. The agreement marks a major milestone in bridging traditional payment systems with blockchain technology, ushering in a new era for Japan’s digital finance sector.

According to the announcement, the transaction was completed in September 2025, making Binance Japan an equity-method affiliate of PayPay. With more than 70 million users, PayPay is Japan’s leading cashless payment platform, dominating the domestic market. Meanwhile, Binance is a global blockchain powerhouse pioneering digital asset infrastructure and Web3 solutions. The partnership between these two giants aims to create a unified financial ecosystem, allowing users to trade, store, and spend digital assets as easily as fiat currency on a single platform.

Under the deal, the “PayPay Money” digital currency will serve as the core element connecting the two systems. Users will be able to purchase cryptocurrencies directly on Binance Japan using PayPay Money, or sell and withdraw funds back to their PayPay wallets instantly. This integration is expected to turn the PayPay app into a “gateway” to Web3 for tens of millions of Japanese users while expanding blockchain’s real-world utility.

Binance Japan, licensed by the Kanto Local Finance Bureau since 2023, currently offers spot trading and Earn products. Following the partnership with PayPay, the company plans to develop “hybrid finance” services that seamlessly bridge fiat and digital assets, enhancing transparency and user experience across all transactions.

At the same time, PayPay is preparing for an IPO in the United States, with plans to raise over $2 billion, backed by major financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Mizuho, and Morgan Stanley. This move not only aims to expand PayPay’s global presence but also strengthens its financial transparency and reputation in the global fintech arena.

The acquisition comes as Japan pushes to achieve 40% cashless transactions by 2025 and prepares to launch its digital yen (DCJPY) by fiscal year 2026. The collaboration between PayPay and Binance aligns perfectly with Japan’s digital transformation agenda, serving as a catalyst for innovation and modernization across its financial system.

Meanwhile, the BNB Chain ecosystem — developed by Binance — continues to expand globally. Its $1 billion Builder Fund has been introduced to support projects in DeFi, AI, RWA, and Web3 payments. The native token BNB recently hit an all-time high of $1,349, entering the top three largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

The PayPay–Binance Japan partnership represents more than a strategic acquisition — it symbolizes the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets, marking a pivotal step in Japan’s journey toward a Web3-driven financial future.