SBI Holdings is set to embark on a Japanese joint venture with UAE-based company TradeFinex, aimed at fostering the widespread adoption of its enterprise blockchain platform on the XDC Network.
Collaboratively, SBI Holdings and TradeFinex will spearhead efforts to promote the utilization of the Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible enterprise blockchain, known as the XDC Network, within Japan.
TradeFinex, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, operates its very own decentralized platform on the XDC Network. This platform serves as a nexus for trade finance originators, connecting them with a diverse array of banks and lending institutions. Targeting enterprise applications, TradeFinex specializes in delivering blockchain-based trade finance solutions, encompassing services such as invoicing, letters of credit, purchase order finance, and supply chain finance.
The XDC Network stands out as an EVM-compatible layer-1 network equipped with interoperable smart contracts. Its documentation characterizes the protocol as a “highly optimized, bespoke fork” of Ethereum. It utilizes a delegated proof-of-stake (DPoS) mechanism to achieve rapid transaction processing, minimal gas fees, and a remarkable transaction throughput capacity.
The XDC Network operates through its native XDC token, which functions as a reserve cryptocurrency for third-party decentralized applications (DApps) that operate within the network. This versatile token finds utility across various use cases, including DApp payment settlements, microtransactions, covering transaction expenses, and facilitating smart contract deployment and settlement.
TradeFinex has been actively engaged in collaborations with prominent entities such as the World Trade Organization, the International Chamber of Commerce, and various governmental agencies. These partnerships aim to explore the potential of blockchain technology in revolutionizing the speed, transparency, cost-effectiveness, and traceability of trade finance.
A 2020 report from the World Trade Organization notably highlighted TradeFinex as a network that operates on a dual basis—permissionless for public verification while maintaining a permissioned structure for selective data sharing.
At the time of the report’s publication, several notable participants, including Validus, Enigio, Ramco, and the International Trade and Forfaiting Association, had embraced TradeFinex’s offerings.
An official announcement, shared with Cointelegraph, outlines the primary objectives of this joint venture. These include the localization of XDC Network information and documentation for the Japanese market, the proliferation of XDC tokens on local cryptocurrency exchanges, and the deployment of cutting-edge trade finance solutions across the Asia-Pacific region.
The launch of this joint endeavor comes in the wake of recent reports from Japan, indicating the government’s intention to permit startups to raise capital through the issuance of cryptocurrency tokens as an alternative to traditional stock listings. Additionally, Japan’s Financial Services Agency has announced plans to amend its cryptocurrency-related tax code in August 2023, signaling a proactive stance in cryptocurrency regulation. These changes may encompass exemptions from “unrealized gains” tax on cryptocurrencies.
