Japanese financial firm Credit Saison has launched a new fund called Onigiri Capital, aimed at backing early-stage blockchain startups. The focus is on helping US companies expand into key Asian markets by giving them access to capital, infrastructure, and regulatory guidance. The idea is to use Credit Saison’s deep local knowledge to make cross-border growth smoother and more realistic for crypto founders.
Building Toward a $50 Million Fund
So far, the fund has raised $35 million, intending to hit $50 million. Backing has come from Credit Saison and other strategic investors. The fund will invest in early-stage startups that are building foundational tools for finance. That includes platforms for tokenization, new types of payment systems, and other tools built on blockchain that can work across traditional and digital finance.
Saison Capital, the venture capital arm of Japan's Credit Saison Co., Ltd., has announced the establishment of a blockchain-focused investment fund named Onigiri Capital. The fund aims for an initial target size of $50 million and has already secured commitments totaling $35… pic.twitter.com/SjZzNdDnfF
— Norbert Gehrke (@norbertgehrke) September 16, 2025
Targeting Key Parts of the Market
The fund is looking to support projects that deal with real-world assets, digital payments, and decentralized financial tools. These are areas where startups often struggle with scaling and regulation. By helping with both funding and regional know-how, Onigiri Capital wants to give these companies a path into countries like Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia without having to figure everything out on their own.
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Helping US Founders Move East
A key goal is to help US-based startups set up in Asia. Many American crypto firms have good products but get stuck when trying to expand into new regions. Onigiri will provide support through banking partners, legal frameworks, and operational advice. The aim is to remove some of the friction that comes with entering highly regulated or unfamiliar markets.
The People Behind the Fund
Qin En Looi, a partner at Saison Capital, is helping lead the new fund. She says the team is focused on finding builders who want to solve real problems, not just chase hype. Hans de Back, another managing partner, says the team is paying close attention to legal structures and compliance so that the companies they back can scale without getting tripped up.
Timing Matters
This new fund comes at a time when the crypto funding landscape has slowed down. In 2022, capital flowed freely into blockchain startups, but the past year has seen a pullback. Investors are being more cautious and want to see real value. That environment makes a fund like this even more important because it brings more than just money to the table.
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Regulatory Issues Still Loom
Expanding across borders isn’t easy. Every country has different laws, especially when it comes to digital assets, stablecoins, or financial services. Startups will still need to navigate licensing, audits, and compliance. The difference here is that they’ll have a partner who has already worked with those systems.
Why This Fund Could Be a Big Deal
Credit Saison isn’t just throwing money around. They’re offering startups access to a network that understands both legacy finance and new tech. If the fund delivers on its promise, it could help shape how US crypto companies operate in Asia and may influence how digital finance evolves in the region.
What Comes Next
The success of the fund will depend on how carefully it picks its investments and how much real help it can offer those companies. If it works, Onigiri Capital could become a template for how traditional finance supports innovation without getting in the way.
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Key Takeaways
- Credit Saison has launched Onigiri Capital, a fund designed to help US blockchain startups expand into Asia with financial and regulatory support.
- The fund has raised $35 million so far toward a $50 million target, with investments focused on tokenization, payments, and financial infrastructure.
- Onigiri Capital will back projects working on real-world assets, decentralized finance, and digital payment solutions.
- The fund’s leadership, including Qin En Looi and Hans de Back, is stressing compliance and legal frameworks to make scaling smoother for startups.
- This move comes during a cautious investment climate, positioning Credit Saison as a key bridge between traditional finance and blockchain innovation in Asia.
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