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Tokyo, Japan, September 2nd, 2025, Chainwire
Global blockchain venture capital firm Hashed (CEO: Simon Seojoon Kim) and Japan’s leading venture capital B Dash Ventures (CEO: Hiroyuki Watanabe) successfully co-hosted the Blockchain Leaders Summit Tokyo 2025 (BLS Tokyo 2025) on the 27th in Tokyo, Japan.
This year’s summit gathered around 400 blockchain industry leaders to discuss the future of Web3 across themes such as regulation, stablecoins, and the convergence of intellectual property (IP) with blockchain. Notably, Abu Dhabi–based global tech incubator Hub71 joined as the title sponsor, reinforcing the event’s role as a bridge for global collaboration between Japan and the UAE.
Global leading Layer 1 projects including Aptos, Avalanche, Solana, and Sui, as well as Japan’s SMBC Nikko Securities and Web3 consulting firm DeFimans, joined as Platinum Sponsors. In addition, promising global Web3 projects such as Solayer, waveX, World, Backpack Exchange, Blockdaemon, Humanity Protocol, INTMAX, IOST, LayerZero, Minara, Nethermind, Presto, Stacks, The Sandbox, and Uniswap, along with major Japan-based blockchain companies including NOT A HOTEL DAO, YOUR RIGHTS, bitFlyer, and Japan Open Chain, participated as sponsors, further solidifying the summit as a comprehensive platform linking Japan’s Web3 ecosystem to the global stage.
Key speakers included: Masao Shimazaki, Deputy Director-General, Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA);Caroline D. Pham, Acting Commissioner, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Genki Oda, Chairman, Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association (JVCEA); Aya Hamoodi, Corporate Lead, Value Creation at Hub71; Yat Siu, Chairman of Animoca Brands; David Allan Katz, Vice President of Asia-Pacific Strategy and Policy at Circle
In the dialogue with Ryuichi Nishida, Director at B Dash Ventures, Hashed CEO Simon Seojoon Kim emphasized, “Stablecoins are not merely a form of currency, but the essential infrastructure that enables the mass adoption of blockchain applications.” He added, “Japan, with the yen as a global currency and the global influence of its anime IP, holds immense untapped potential in the Web3 market, much like a sleeping lion.”
Kim also highlighted Hashed’s portfolio company Modhaus and its K-pop project tripleS as an example, stating, “The model where fandom directly participates in the creative process through blockchain presents a massive opportunity that can also be applied to Japan’s anime industry.”
The summit also underscored a shared recognition of the importance of regulation. Circle’s David Katz remarked, “Clear regulation reduces confusion and in fact accelerates innovation,” commending Japan for taking a leading role in stablecoin legalization across Asia.
Masao Shimazaki of Japan’s FSA added, “Web3 regulation is not about restrictions, but about creating a sound environment for capital operation,” noting efforts such as strengthening transparency in disclosures, addressing unregistered foreign operators, and ensuring fair market pricing.
Japanese startups and financial institutions present at the summit also expressed optimism that clearer regulations had significantly improved their business environment. Major institutions such as Sony Bank, SMFG, and Densan System shared ongoing initiatives to advance stablecoin adoption and blockchain-based payment infrastructure.
Closing the summit, Hashed CEO Simon Seojoon Kim stated, “The Blockchain Leaders Summit 2025 has established itself as a true global platform where leaders from the UAE, Japan, and beyond come together not only to exchange ideas but to weave new frameworks of trust and collaboration. With the Japanese yen as a global currency and Japan’s world-renowned intellectual property, we contribute more deeply to further fostering the country’s blockchain ecosystem so that it may rise as a central pillar of the Web3 industry.”
Ryuichi Nishida of B Dash Ventures commented after the conclusion of the event: “Japan is finally seeing the practical use of stablecoins and the entry of financial institutions into Web3 truly take shape, creating a solid foundation for blockchain-based businesses to grow. By working together with the global players who gathered at the Blockchain Leaders Summit, we aim to further accelerate the development of Japan’s Web3 industry.”
About Hashed
Hashed, established in 2017, is a web3 venture capital that focuses on investment and research in global startups and decentralized protocols. Hashed team operates offices in Seoul, San Francisco, Singapore, Bangalore, and Abu Dhabi. Hashed has been the earliest supporter of many pioneering blockchain teams globally. Hashed supports its portfolio companies as a ‘second team,’ helping web3 founders build global mass adoption.
About B Dash Ventures
B Dash Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in promising startups, both domestically and internationally, across all stages—from seed and early-stage through to later stages—with the mission of nurturing next-generation industry leaders. Since its establishment, B Dash Ventures has formed and managed multiple venture capital funds (B Dash Fund I–V), whose limited partners include prominent corporations and institutional investors from Japan and abroad. Additionally, it organizes “B Dash Camp,” one of Japan’s largest invitation-only technology events, attracting entrepreneurs, influential corporate executives, and leading investors from around the globe.
Contact
Community Lead
Wooster Han
Hashed
wooster@hashed.com
Disclaimer
This article is provided for information only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
