Gumi and SBI launch $18.3M crypto fund in Japan

Gumi and SBI launch a 3 billion yen ($18.3M) crypto fund on August 1, investing in Bitcoin and major altcoins to connect Japanese firms with the crypto market.

Japanese gaming and blockchain firm Gumi, through its subsidiary gC Labs, is launching the SBI Crypto Fund I in partnership with SBI Financial Services. The fund is valued at approximately 3 billion yen (about $18.3 million) and will begin operations on August 1, running for three years as a private placement. SBI Financial Services holds a 51% stake, while gC Labs owns 49%. Key investors include Daiwa Securities Group and Yamada Securities Group. The fund will invest in Bitcoin and major altcoins listed on recognized exchanges, employing strategies such as staking, portfolio rebalancing, and hedging. This initiative is designed to connect traditional Japanese corporations with the crypto market and build an operational track record ahead of potential regulatory changes regarding crypto ETFs in Japan. Gumi has seen significant growth in its crypto holdings, reaching about 14 billion yen ($86 million) by April 2026, and has consolidated its digital asset operations under the 'Neo Crypto' unit.