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World’s Largest Pension Fund Seeks Information on Bitcoin Under Portfolio Diversification Plan
Japan’s state pension fund, GPIF, is seeking information about bitcoin as part of a broader strategy initiated in response to significant economic and societal changes and technological advancements.
Japan’s $1.5 Trillion Pension Fund To Assess Bitcoin For Diversification
The Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) of Japan, the world’s largest pension fund with assets totaling $1.5 trillion, has officially announced its initiative to explore diversification opportunities that include Bitcoin, alongside traditional investments such as gold and more unconventional assets like forests and farmland. This exploration marks a monumental potential pivot in the investment strategy of a fund traditionally associated with more conservative asset classes.
Japan GPIF Seeks Information On Bitcoin
According to a Bloomberg report dated March 19, 2024, GPIF is in the initial phase of this exploration, focusing on an information request stage rather than signaling an imminent expansion of its investment portfolio. The fund currently diversifies its holdings across a vast array of assets, including domestic and international stocks and bonds, infrastructure, and real estate. With assets under management valued at approximately 225 trillion yen as of the end of December 2023, the GPIF’s interest in Bitcoin and other illiquid assets underscores a notable shift towards broadening its investment aperture.
The GPIF stated, “In addition to basic knowledge about the assets targeted for information provision, we are also seeking information on how overseas pension funds incorporate them into their portfolios and actual investment cases.” This reflects a methodical approach to understanding the potential benefits and risks associated with diversifying into less traditional and more volatile asset classes like Bitcoin.
Recent years have seen the GPIF actively seeking to enhance the sophistication and diversity of its portfolio. “Since the fall of 2022, a total of 56 active funds have been selected in North American, developed country, and Japanese stocks,” the GPIF noted, highlighting its ongoing efforts to refine its investment strategies. The inclusion of Bitcoin and other non-traditional assets would represent a further step in these diversification efforts.
However, the GPIF has cautiously noted, “This announcement is a request for information and does not indicate that the company will expand its investment targets in the future.” This statement clarifies that any decision to incorporate Bitcoin or other proposed assets into its investment strategy will depend on the outcomes of its current research phase.
This move by the GPIF comes amid broader regulatory changes in Japan regarding Bitcoin and crypto investments. Just one month prior to this announcement, Japan’s administration, led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, moved to enable investment funds to hold Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies directly. “The bill states that ‘measures will be taken to add crypto assets to the list of assets that can be acquired and held by investment limited partnerships,’” according to a statement from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.
The GPIF’s exploration of Bitcoin and alternative assets not only underscores the growing institutional interest in Bitcoin, but is also in line with Japan’s regulatory advances aimed at integrating digital assets into the country’s economic framework. The potential inclusion of Bitcoin in the world’s largest pension fund would be huge news and could have implications for other countries and their investment strategies.
At press time, BTC traded at $64,589.
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Circle And SBI Holdings Partnership To Boost USDC In Japan
Global financial firm Circle has announced a strategic partnership with the Japanese financial services SBI Holdings, Inc., to promote the adoption of Circle’s USDC stablecoin and web3 services in Japan.
Circle Joins SBI Holdings In A Memorandum Of Understanding
According to the announcement, both parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) toward promoting UDSC‘s adoption in the country. Due to this, both parties are also committed to accurately abiding by stablecoin-related regulations and communication with authorities.
The announcement read:
The companies have signed an MOU underpinning the work ahead, which includes SBI Group and Circle initially working towards the circulation of USDC and expanding the use of stablecoins in Japan. SBI Group and Circle have also committed to properly complying with stablecoin-related regulations, including communication with authorities.
Circle’s partnership with SBI Holdings comes amid the Japanese government’s goal of encouraging the expansion of the Web3 business and enacting new stablecoin rules. In June, Japan’s updated Payment Services Act was published, emphasizing stablecoin regulation.
The Revised Payment Service Act focuses on stablecoin issuance and circulation in Japan as it moves toward a Web3 economy.
As a global leader in the digital asset economy, the Japanese government revised the Payment Services Act (the Revised Payment Services Act), on June 3, 2023, to establish regulations for stablecoins. The regulation is expected to stimulate the issuance and circulation of stablecoins in Japan and advance Japan’s transition towards a Web3 economy.
Furthermore, it creates “collateralized” stablecoins that are backed by legal tender. This way, Circle’s USDC goes a step further because it is backed 100% by highly liquid cash and cash-equivalent assets and is always convertible 1 to 1 for US dollars.
The announcement also highlighted a banking relationship between Circle and SBI Shinsei Bank. This is because the SBI Shinsei bank will provide banking services to the firm. As a result of this, USDC and liquidity become accessible for users and businesses in Japan.
Furthermore, SBI Group will embrace Circle’s Web3 Services solutions into its digital asset portfolio strategy. These include Programmable Wallet, smart contract management tools, and blockchain infrastructure.
The Company’s CEO On The Partnership
Circle’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeremy Allaire has expressed his pleasure in the recent collaboration with SBI Holdings. The CEO has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share his optimism on the partnership.
According to him, the partnership exhibits a shared vision for digital currency’s future. The partnership also marks a significant milestone for Circle, as it plans to expand in Japan and Asia Pacific.
Allaire stated:
Our partnership with SBI Holdings represents a shared vision for the future of digital currency and is a significant milestone in Circle’s expansion plans in Japan and the Asia Pacific. We are excited to collaborate with SBI towards setting new standards in the financial sector in Japan.
So far, SBI Holdings is requesting registration as an electronic payment instruments service, as this is subject to approval by the authorities.
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