Japan Post Bank to Roll Out Tokenized Yen by 2026

Japan Post Bank has announced that it will launch DCJPY, a tokenized deposit currency, by 2026. Once launched, this can transform the financial landscape for the 120 million account holders of the Japan Post Bank. The initiative is backed by $1.29 trillion in deposits and will be one of the largest retail banking ventures into blockchain technology globally.

The DCHPY will operate on DeCurret DCP, a permissioned blockchain subsidiary of Internet Initiative Japan. The new digital currency will be different than publicly traded stablecoins. It is directly tied to bank deposits, which ensures a guaranteed 1:1 redemption with the Japanese yen. This will also make sure that the customers get instant settlement of their digital securities and other blockchain-based assets. It will also make it possible for Japan Post Bank to provide auditable and transparent transactions under strict regulatory oversight.

Account holders will be able to convert their traditional yen balances into DCJPY tokens, unlocking faster and more secure transfers. The controlled blockchain infrastructure is expected to support both retail applications and broader institutional uses, positioning Japan Post Bank as a key player bridging conventional finance with digital asset ecosystems.

The project comes at a critical time for Japan’s financial system. With insurers and pension funds reducing long-term government bond holdings in 2025, the introduction of tokenized yen could open new demand channels for yen-denominated assets and contribute to market stability.

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DCJPY’s development aligns with the Bank of Japan’s ongoing central bank digital currency (CBDC) trials. While the central bank explores a national digital yen, Japan Post Bank’s private sector approach could offer valuable insights into customer adoption, infrastructure challenges, and regulatory needs.

Beyond traditional payments, the bank is also exploring the use of DCJPY for government subsidy distribution, allowing public funds to be delivered automatically to citizens’ accounts with full transparency. Such applications highlight blockchain’s potential to streamline administrative processes while reducing costs.

By 2026, if successfully implemented, DCJPY would represent one of the world’s largest tokenized deposit programs by both customer base and asset backing, setting a precedent for how government-backed institutions can modernize money while maintaining public trust.