SBI Invests $270 Million in Indonesian Broker Ajaib for Regional Crypto Growth
SBI’s Strategic Move Into Indonesian Markets
Japanese financial firm SBI Holdings has agreed to buy a 20% stake in Ajaib Group, an Indonesian online brokerage. The deal is valued at approximately $270 million. SBI aims to complete the acquisition by the end of August.
This investment is a key part of SBI's strategy to grow its presence in Southeast Asia. The company plans to use Ajaib’s platform to expand the reach of JPYSC, a stablecoin pegged to the Japanese yen. Stablecoins are digital currencies that maintain a steady value by being tied to a real-world asset, such as a government currency. SBI also intends to build cross-border payment and settlement systems using blockchain technology.
Ajaib is one of Indonesia’s largest online brokers. It offers services including retail investing, foreign exchange trading, cryptocurrency trading, and asset management.
Key Investment Figures
- SBI Holdings will acquire a 20% stake in Ajaib Group.
- The total investment is valued at $270 million.
- The deal gives SBI access to over 20 million retail investors in Indonesia.
- The transaction is expected to close by the end of August 2026.
- The deal marks one of the largest technology fundraising rounds in Indonesia's recent history.
Official Statements From SBI
Yoshitaka Kitao, the chairman and president of SBI, commented on the move. He stated that the importance of global infrastructure for digital assets has increased significantly in the current era of tokenization.
SBI described the investment as part of a broader effort to build a network of regulated crypto and digital securities infrastructure across Southeast Asia. The company highlighted that this network could support future cross-border stablecoin payments and trading of tokenized assets.
Regional Expansion and Market Context
This purchase follows other recent moves by SBI in the region. In July, the company acquired Coinhako, a cryptocurrency exchange based in Singapore, for about $100 million. SBI also invested in DigiFT, a Singaporean digital securities trading platform, forming a joint venture with them.
Indonesia represents a major opportunity. According to market research from IMARC Group, the country's consumer-retail market is estimated to be worth $375 billion. It is also home to one of ASEAN’s largest populations of retail investors, numbering more than 20 million, according to The Straits Times.
However, the broader startup sector in Indonesia has seen a slowdown. Bloomberg reports that Indonesian startups raised only $340 million last year, a decline from $440 million in 2024 and far below the $9.44 billion raised in 2021. Against this backdrop, Ajaib’s $270 million round stands out as the country's largest tech fundraising in recent years.
Why This Matters for Japan's Digital Future
The investment aligns with Japan’s wider push into digital assets. The Japanese government recently announced plans to develop blockchain infrastructure for trading stocks and government bonds. Reports indicate that 24-hour onchain settlement and operations could begin in the early 2030s.
By securing a foothold in Indonesia, SBI is positioning itself to connect Japan’s emerging digital asset infrastructure with one of Southeast Asia’s most active retail markets.
What Is Confirmed
It is confirmed that SBI Holdings is acquiring a 20% stake in Ajaib Group for $270 million. The deal is intended to support the expansion of the yen-pegged JPYSC stablecoin and blockchain-based settlement networks in Southeast Asia. The acquisition is expected to be finalized by the end of August.
