Startale Group and SBI Holdings launched Strium, a dedicated Layer‑1 blockchain positioned as an exchange‑layer network and liquidity layer for institutional foreign‑exchange and real‑world‑asset (RWA) trading. The platform aims to deliver 24/7 trading with near‑instant settlement to reduce settlement latency and counterparty risk in tokenized securities markets.
Strium is a Layer-1 blockchain designed specifically to handle the security, throughput, and settlement workflows required for institutional-scale trading. Startale and SBI position the network as both an “exchange-layer network,” where on-chain matching and execution take place, and a “liquidity layer” that aggregates capital to reduce slippage on large orders. Early proof-of-concept demonstrations have focused on settlement efficiency and system resilience under heavy transaction loads.
At its core, Strium aims to deliver near-instant cross-border settlement, directly addressing legacy market frictions such as T+2 and T+3 settlement cycles. By centralizing settlement, custody, and compliance functions on-chain, the network is intended to shorten capital lock-up periods and reduce counterparty exposure for institutional participants operating across jurisdictions.
Trading on Strium will initially launch with synthetic, derivative-style representations of U.S. and Japanese equities, alongside selected commodities. These instruments are deliberately structured as synthetics to provide a controlled environment in which governance, settlement mechanics, and compliance processes can be tested and refined before progressing to real tokenized securities.
Assets, compliance and rollout strategy
The compliance framework is a central pillar of the rollout strategy. Access to the network will be gated through real-name verification and regulated participation, ensuring that on-chain settlement aligns with institutional compliance standards. To support domestic currency flows, Strium also plans to deploy yen-denominated stablecoin rails developed in partnership with Shinsei Trust & Banking and SBI VC Trade.
Startale and SBI have emphasized a phased approach to adoption. The initial phase prioritizes an institutional, compliance-first core, with the intention of introducing a more open participation layer later on. This structure is designed to expand access over time without compromising the regulatory perimeter required by large financial institutions.
For asset managers and corporate treasuries, Strium’s value proposition lies in faster settlement and more concentrated liquidity pools, potentially reducing funding friction in cross-border FX and tokenized securities transactions. Traders, meanwhile, could benefit from lower slippage on large orders and new ways to gain fractional exposure to assets that are traditionally illiquid.
However, material risks remain. Early exposure will be derivative-like rather than direct ownership of underlying assets, given the reliance on synthetic instruments. Longer-term adoption will depend on governance robustness, legal clarity around tokenized securities, and cross-border regulatory alignment.
As Strium moves toward real tokenized shares and asset-backed tokens—supported by its planned yen-stablecoin infrastructure—these factors will ultimately determine how much institutional flow the network can attract.
