SBI VC Trade Rolls Out Japan's First Licensed USDC Lending Program, Offering 10% Introductory Annual Yield

SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings, will launch its "USDC Lending" service on March 19, 2026, becoming the first licensed crypto exchange in Japan to offer USDC lending. Under the program, customers can lend USDC—a U.S. dollar‑pegged stablecoin—to the exchange and receive usage fees in return. The launch includes a commemorative 12‑week term featuring a 10% annualized yield. After the campaign period, the company expects standard yields to be around 5%. SBI VC Trade said it will leverage its position as Japan's only domestically licensed operator for Electronic Payment Instruments to position the product as a higher‑yield alternative to traditional foreign currency deposits. To remain aligned with local tax and regulatory considerations, applications are capped at 5,000 USDC per person for each recruitment round. The company also indicated it will increase the frequency of recruitment cycles as demand rises from both institutional and retail customers, in line with the SBI Group's "CustomerCentric" strategy. FAQ • Promotional yield: 10% annualized for the initial 12‑week term. • Tax treatment in Japan: proceeds are categorized as miscellaneous income and taxed under comprehensive taxation, not separate withholding. • Application limit: up to 5,000 USDC per account per round. • Operator: SBI VC Trade is the registered exchange offering the service.