DBS, Citi say they completed first weekend USD payment between Singapore and US via tokenized deposits — 2026-09-07

## Short Segments Japan's Financial Services Agency is overhauling crypto rules as it meets digital finance policy goals. In today's episode, we'll explore how Japan's regulatory shift impacts crypto trading and investor protection. We'll also cover Africa's new stablecoin payment rules and South Korea's tokenized securities platform on Avalanche. Later, we'll dive into DBS and Citi's groundbreaking weekend USD payment using tokenized deposits. Japan's crypto rules are set for a major overhaul as the Financial Services Agency announces its digital finance policy goals have been met. The agency's self-assessment report, covering July 2025 to June 2026, awarded its highest grade to the strategic response to digital societal changes. A key achievement is the shift of crypto regulation from the Payment Services Act to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, enhancing investor protection and applying insider trading regulations. This regulatory shift is expected to streamline crypto trading and bolster investor confidence in Japan's digital asset market. As Japan redefines its crypto landscape, the focus on investor protection and regulatory clarity could set a precedent for other nations navigating the digital finance frontier. Stablecoin payments in Africa are getting formal rules as three regulators commit to building frameworks. Ghana, Mauritius, and Uganda are developing common standards, licensing regimes, and reserve requirements for stablecoins. This move aims to integrate stablecoins into Africa's $1.4 trillion mobile-money ecosystem, addressing the need for reliable payment rails amid fiat currency challenges. With stablecoins gaining traction as practical payment solutions, the new regulations could enhance cross-border transactions and financial inclusion across the continent. As Africa embraces digital currencies, the regulatory frameworks will be crucial in balancing innovation with financial stability. South Korea's Hanwha develops a tokenized securities platform on Avalanche as local regulation takes shape. Hanwha Investment & Securities has completed a blockchain-based platform targeting the $250 billion real-world asset market. The platform is set to launch in 2027, aligning with South Korea's new digital asset regulations effective next February. This development reflects growing demand for blockchain solutions in regulated market infrastructure. As South Korea rewrites its digital asset rulebook, Hanwha's platform could pave the way for broader adoption of tokenized securities in the region. ## Feature Story DBS and Citi have completed the first weekend USD payment between Singapore and the U.S. using tokenized deposits. This transaction, executed on September 5, 2026, marks a significant milestone in cross-border payments, bypassing traditional banking hours and time-zone constraints. Utilizing the Swift Digital Ledger, the payment was completed in minutes, demonstrating the potential for faster and more efficient international settlements. Traditionally, cross-border settlements can take up to two business days due to weekend closures and time-zone differences. By leveraging tokenized deposits, DBS and Citi have showcased a new model for global transactions that could reshape how businesses operate across jurisdictions. This development is part of a broader global pilot aimed at enhancing the efficiency of cross-border payments. As companies increasingly transact in USD across different time zones, the ability to execute payments without the constraint of traditional banking hours could offer significant operational advantages. Looking ahead, the success of this transaction could encourage other financial institutions to explore similar innovations, potentially leading to widespread adoption of tokenized deposits in cross-border payments. As the financial landscape evolves, the integration of blockchain technology in traditional banking processes could redefine the future of global finance.