Japan’s Biggest Bank Launching Blockchain Payments Network in 2020
Japanese banking giant Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is launching a high-throughput blockchain-based payments network next year.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) – Japan's largest financial group and the world's fifth largest bank by assets – is launching a blockchain-based payments network next year.
Called the Global Open Network, the system will be capable of processing over a million transactions per second, MUFG claimed. The firms are also looking to integrate internet of things (IoT) and Akamai’s cloud computing platform into the network.
The new venture launches with capital of 250 million yen ($2.26 million), with MUFG having an 80 percent stake and Akamai the remaining 20 percent.
The planned network was initially announced back in May. At the time, Akamai said that the network will provide a number of services, including current payment processing, pay-per-use, micropayments and "other developing IoT-enabled payment transactions.”
Previously, MUFG has been exploring blockchain tech for several uses cases. Back in November, the firm participated in a pilot that put a syndicated loan for $150 million on the blockchain, along with Spanish banking giant BBVA and France’s BNP Paribas.
MUFG image via Shutterstock