Jsquare in Japan: TeamZ & Web3 in Bloom 2024 — Innovations and Opportunities
Years ago, when I began exploring the Japanese market, a chance encounter at a conference led to a pivotal friendship with Tian from TeamZ, who had built one of the largest summits in the Japanese Web3.
Two weeks ago, Jsquare was one of the co hosts at TeamZ, and it became even clearer to me — and to all attendees — just how pivotal the next few years will be for blockchain technology globally, and specifically in Japan. As the CEO of Jsquare, a crypto fund that prioritizes emerging Asian markets, I am particularly focused on the unique position of Japan, a nation known both for its technological prowess and its recent embrace of Web3 technologies.
Updated Regulatory Landscape
In 2023, the Japanese government took definitive steps to clarify its stance on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies. Notably, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) has implemented new guidelines that facilitate easier market entry for blockchain startups, while ensuring stringent consumer protections are in place. These regulations aim to eradicate the hurdles that have historically slowed blockchain adoption in Japan and open up avenues for substantial investments.
Despite these advancements, Japan’s conservative regulatory approach has somewhat delayed its full-scale integration into the rapidly evolving global Web3 ecosystem. However, these new regulations are expected to catalyze significant growth within the sector.
This meticulous regulatory recalibration reflects Japan’s commitment to precision and thoroughness in all its endeavors. While Japan’s inherently conservative regulatory framework has delayed its full-scale integration into the rapidly evolving global Web3 ecosystem, these newly established guidelines are expected to catalyze significant growth within the sector.
Japan’s Web3 Catch-Up: A Technological Paradox
Japan, a leader in automotive and electronics, has traditionally lagged in internet technology innovations when compared to its neighbors. The strategic catch-up in Web3 is fueled by a recognition of the missed opportunities during the initial internet boom. Now, by embracing Web3, Japan seeks to lead in a domain where it can effectively combine its long-standing strengths. Japan holds a significant advantage in one critical area: the GPU. For example, according to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (Economic Times, Dec 2023), Nvidia will do utmost to prioritize Japan in supplying GPUs. GPUs are crucial in deep learning and AI, which can integrate well with Web3 ecosystem, enabling everything from predictive analytics in DeFi to intelligent contract automation and real-time decision-making in dApps.
Nvidia will build a network of semiconductor plants in Japan in partnership with the country’s companies to meet demand for graphics chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) projects, said Jenson Huang (SCMP, Dec 2023).
The Digital Yen and Web3
The introduction of Japan’s digital yen represents more than just a shift towards modernized payments — it’s a critical component in the broader evolution towards a Web3-powered financial ecosystem.
Moreover, the digital yen could accelerate the adoption of DeFi in Japan, bridging traditional financial systems with Web3’s innovative platforms. This integration is crucial for fostering a more inclusive financial landscape and propelling Japan to the forefront of digital finance innovation.
Web3 in Bloom @Japan
Jsquare proudly hosted its inaugural satellite event at the Edition Hotel in Tokyo this month, located on the 37th floor with a panoramic view of the Tokyo Tower night view. In partnership with DFG and Astar Network, and supported by Kekkai, Bitget, Bifrost, Polygon Labs, Delysium, and ABCDE Capital, this event marked the launch of “Web3 in Bloom’’ as an ongoing branded series. We look forward to unveiling more of these vibrant gatherings in the future.
With nearly 350 guests attending, the event buzzed with energy and enthusiasm, offering a perfect blend of innovation and tradition. Highlighting the cultural depth, we invited a renowned Ikebana artist from Liu Yifei‘s TV series to perform live floral arrangements, adding a touch of traditional Japanese art to a thoroughly modern Web3 setting.
It’s worth mentioning that our co-host, Astar Network, is a standout in Japan‘s Web3 industry, well known as the national blockchain in Japan. As an integral part of DFG’s investment portfolio, Astar Network is pioneering with its multi-chain framework that supports Polygon zkEVM compatibility, enabling developers to build versatile and scalable decentralized applications.
Buy when few are interested
As we look towards 2024, the outlook for Web3 in Japan is incredibly promising. Supported by progressive regulatory changes and a greatly increasing number of tratech giants, such as Sony, entering the space, we anticipate a surge in innovative Web3 across various sectors in Japan. Jsquare is poised to be at the heart of this transformation, facilitating and investing in projects that align with Japan’s unique market needs and global ambitions.
Jsquare and Japan
Japan’s journey in Web3 might have started more cautiously than some would have expected, but it is gaining momentum at an exhilarating pace. At Jsquare, we are committed to navigating this dynamic landscape, identifying strategic investment opportunities, and leading initiatives that drive blockchain adoption and innovation.
Stay connected with Jsquare as we unveil exciting new partnerships in the coming months!
About Jsquare:
Jsquare is a research and technology-driven investment firm that is dedicated to facilitating the mass adoption of blockchain technology. Founded in 2021, Jsquare self-funded its operations and currently manages an AUM of over $150 million dollars.
With a focus on identifying top-tier teams with growth potential, Jsquare has strategically invested in approximately 70 projects across various sectors. These sectors include CeFi (Coinlist, 3iQ, FV Bank, etc.), NFT/GameFi/Metaverse (Pudgy Penguins, BigTime, Apeiron, etc.), Layer 1 (Linera, Shardeum, Zetachain, Oasys, etc.), and Infrastructure (Gensyn, ChainSafe, Chainbase, Cookie3, etc.), among others.
Jsquare’s investment approach has recently been informed by a geographical philosophy. By employing dynamic strategies, Jsquare aims to secure investments that align with its forward-thinking vision. Jsquare closely monitors the macro-environment and navigates the digital asset and emerging technology landscape for long-term prosperity.
