Japanese Firms Test Blockchain for E-Check Management
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and tech giant Hitachi are working on a blockchain proof-of-concept aimed at digitizing checks.

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and tech giant Hitachi are now working on a blockchain proof-of-concept aimed at e-check management.
The prototype system, according to the two companies, seeks to create a digital platform for "issuing, transferring and collecting electronic checks". Nikkei reports that further trials are expected to take place in the coming days, and that a full-scale version could see wider release in 2018.
Hitachi said in a statement:
"Using the system, BTMU issues and settles checks and some of Hitachi Group companies in Singapore receive the electronic check and deposit the funds. Through the PoC testing, Hitachi and BTMU will be able to identify issues from various perspectives such as technology, security, operation and legal perspectives and aim to realize new FinTech services including digitalization of checks."
The project's disclosure comes months after Hitachi announced the formation of a R&D laboratory focused on FinTech, including blockchain. At the time, the firm had only recently become a member of the Hyperledger project, the Linux Foundation-led initiative focused on commercial blockchain applications.
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ has invested notable resources already in the blockchain industry, investing in Coinbase and taking part in a series of trials based on the technology.
Thus far, the bank has explored use cases such as promissory note trading and digital currency.
Digital check image via Shutterstock
More For You
Protocol Research: GoPlus Security

What to know:
- As of October 2025, GoPlus has generated $4.7M in total revenue across its product lines. The GoPlus App is the primary revenue driver, contributing $2.5M (approx. 53%), followed by the SafeToken Protocol at $1.7M.
- GoPlus Intelligence's Token Security API averaged 717 million monthly calls year-to-date in 2025 , with a peak of nearly 1 billion calls in February 2025. Total blockchain-level requests, including transaction simulations, averaged an additional 350 million per month.
- Since its January 2025 launch , the $GPS token has registered over $5B in total spot volume and $10B in derivatives volume in 2025. Monthly spot volume peaked in March 2025 at over $1.1B , while derivatives volume peaked the same month at over $4B.
More For You
Bitcoin Holds Near $92K as Selling Cools, but Demand Still Lags

ETF inflows have finally turned positive, but weak on-chain activity, defensive derivatives positioning, and negative spot CVD show a market stabilizing without the conviction needed for a sustained move higher.
What to know:
- Bitcoin markets in Asia are stabilizing but remain structurally weak, with short-term holders dominating supply.
- U.S. ETF flows have shown signs of stabilization, but on-chain activity remains near cycle lows, indicating weak capital inflows.
- Bitcoin and Ether have seen price recoveries driven by spot demand and improved sentiment, while gold is supported by U.S. labor data and Fed rate cut expectations.











