Japanese crypto exchange Coincheck is expanding into Europe by acquiring Paris-based regulated institutional crypto brokerage Aplo, with the deal expected to close in October, aiming to strengthen its global B2B2C offerings.

The acquisition will combine Coincheck's strengths with Aplo's proven technology, deep liquidity, and regulatory compliance, enabling it to better serve institutional investors and expand its institutional services across Europe.

This move aligns with Coincheck Group’s strategic goal of expanding its retail and institutional crypto business outside Japan, as it explores additional acquisitions for technology, licenses, and expertise.

Meanwhile, Monex Group is considering issuing a yen-pegged stablecoin, potentially backed by Japanese government bonds, to facilitate international remittances and corporate settlements, emphasizing the importance of stablecoins for staying competitive.

Japanese regulators are moving toward recognizing crypto assets as financial products by 2026, with proposed tax reforms that could lower crypto capital gains taxes from 55% to 20%, encouraging more corporate adoption.

Founded in Tokyo in 2014 and rebranded from ResuPress, Coincheck is headquartered in the Netherlands and listed on Nasdaq since late 2024, leveraging its recent growth and international expansion.

Following its Nasdaq listing in late 2024, Coincheck experienced a 75% revenue increase in its fiscal third quarter and is considering launching a Japanese yen-pegged stablecoin, as part of Monex Group’s broader expansion efforts.

Monex acquired Coincheck in 2018 for ¥360 million ($33.5 million), highlighting the growing significance of blockchain and cryptocurrencies in the financial sector.

Several Japanese companies, including Metaplanet, are increasing their Bitcoin holdings, with Metaplanet purchasing an additional 103 BTC, making it the seventh-largest corporate Bitcoin holder worldwide.

Monex Chairman Oki Matsumoto emphasized the importance of stablecoins and revealed that the company is finalizing talks to acquire a European crypto-related firm to support this strategy.

All four founders of Aplo will remain involved after the acquisition, which involves an exchange of shares for newly issued Coincheck shares, with the deal expected to enhance liquidity and product offerings across multiple jurisdictions.

Coincheck CEO Gary Simanson stated that the acquisition will improve the company's ability to meet European institutional crypto investors' needs and facilitate B2B2C offerings for banks and their clients.