Inside Japan’s Web3 Ambitions with Astar Foundation and Startale Group

In an exclusive Coindoo interview, Maarten Henskens, COO of Startale Group and Head of Astar Foundation, explains how Japan is setting the standard for blockchain innovation, tokenized finance, and compliant Web3 infrastructure.

Building Japan’s Blockchain Backbone

Japan’s digital transformation is accelerating, and at the heart of it stands Astar Foundation and Startale Group, two organizations driving the nation’s Web3 evolution.

While Astar focuses on community, interoperability, and decentralized applications, Startale Group – its parent company – builds the infrastructure, enterprise solutions, and strategic partnerships to bring those ideas to life.

The synergy extends to Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture between Startale and Sony designed to make Web3 accessible for everyday users. From this collaboration came Soneium, an Ethereum Layer-2 developed by Sony Block Solutions Labs to connect entertainment, gaming, and blockchain.

As COO of Startale Group and Head of Astar Foundation, Henskens oversees how these initiatives come together – from technical development to adoption across Japan and international markets.

From Ideals to Infrastructure

Before joining Astar, Henskens was fascinated by blockchain’s potential to rebuild trust in the digital economy. “I believed real user demand would come from applications, not hype,” he says.

Astar’s appeal lay in its pragmatic vision – a combination of Polkadot’s cross-chain paradigm, EVM/WASM compatibility, and developer incentives to create sustainable, scalable systems.

Henskens adds that Astar’s evolution included rethinking tokenomics to reduce speculative pressure, align incentives with real usage, and reward meaningful engagement through mechanisms such as fee burning and staking.

New Leadership, New Momentum

Japan’s blockchain future is getting a further boost under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. According to Henskens, her administration reinforces Japan’s pro-innovation stance and commitment to treating blockchain as a core pillar of national digital transformation.

From tokenized assets to compliant stablecoins, this policy direction strengthens the foundation that Astar and Startale have been helping to build.

Turning Digital Strategy Into Reality

Japan’s digital transformation is shifting from planning to execution. Through Startale Group’s joint venture with SBI Holdings, the companies are constructing Japan’s first onchain trading and settlement platform for tokenized stocks and real-world assets.

The collaboration also extends to the Bank of Japan’s CBDC Forum, local governments, and advisory panels. Startale’s approach is deeply collaborative: “Japan builds by co-creation – regulation through real use cases,” he explains. “From Astar’s perspective, it’s about laying the foundations for compliant infrastructure that Japan’s institutions can trust.”

Tokenization and Japan’s Financial Future

One of Startale’s key roles lies in shaping Japan’s national tokenization strategy, powered by partnerships with Sony and SBI Holdings.

Meanwhile, the SBI partnership focuses on tokenized U.S. and Japanese equities with institutional-grade custody, real-time compliance monitoring, and near-instant settlement. While equities are the starting point, the platform is designed to expand into real estate, bonds, and other tokenized assets as regulations mature.

Which Sectors Are Ready for Tokenization?

However, he also highlights entertainment and creator economies as equally ready sectors. Through Soneium, Startale is enabling fan engagement with tokenized loyalty programs, creator protection, and sustainable onchain gaming models.

Stablecoins and the Compliance Advantage

Startale Group is also advancing Japan’s compliant stablecoin framework, following amendments to the Payment Services Act in 2023, which officially recognized stablecoins as legal payment instruments.

He emphasizes that this framework isn’t just technical but also about trust. “It’s not just about building stablecoin infrastructure; it’s about building confidence.”

While the U.S. and Europe still debate stablecoin policy, Japan already has clear guidelines. “Japan offers clarity that few markets can match,” Henskens says. “It’s a high-compliance environment – not a sandbox. But it’s exactly what institutions need.”

He sums it up succinctly: “Japan isn’t a sandbox – it’s a blueprint.”

Setting Global Standards Through Collaboration

Japan’s cautious yet progressive regulatory reputation is well-earned, and Astar and Startale are helping to shape its global influence.

Startale’s CEO, Sota Watanabe, also serves as a director of the Japan Blockchain Association, maintaining active engagement with policymakers and ensuring regulatory alignment with innovation.

Beyond Japan, Startale engages in international discussions on tokenization standards, especially across Asia and Europe, monitoring frameworks like Japan’s FIEA and Europe’s MiCA.

The Next Chapter for Astar

Looking ahead, Astar’s next phase is focused on execution. The Foundation’s immediate priorities include finalizing the Burndrop framework, a mechanism designed to align incentives by combining token burning and community rewards.

The upcoming Tokenomics 3.0 overhaul introduces a fixed maximum supply of approximately 10.5 billion ASTR, shifting from dynamic inflation to emission decay and fairer fee distribution.

In parallel, Astar continues expanding interoperability through bridges and cross-chain collaborations, ensuring that ASTR’s utility grows across ecosystems.

“Our goal is to diversify ASTR’s use cases and strengthen composability across networks,” Henskens says.

Bridging Traditional Finance and Onchain Systems

As Japan deepens integration between traditional finance and decentralized infrastructure, Astar aims to serve as the bridge connecting both worlds.

A New Era for Japan’s Digital Economy

What excites Henskens most about Japan’s Web3 journey is the convergence of media, entertainment, and finance.

Through partnerships with Sony, SBI, and others, Astar and Startale are building templates for global adoption – creating a roadmap where compliance and creativity coexist.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

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