USDC becomes the first approved stablecoin in Japan as the country slowly eases stablecoin regulations after FSA approved policy changes last month.

The Japanese central bank has established a working group of 60 companies to gain input into its decision on launching a CBDC from a business perspective.

The financial services firm led a $36 million series A funding round to become Zodia’s second-largest shareholder. The money will fund geographic expansion, increased token coverage and enhancements to its settlement product, Interchange.