SMBC Nikko Securities, alongside Nethermind, Uniswap Labs, Base, and the Nyx Foundation, signed a memorandum of understanding on October 2, 2026. The parties intend to develop a DeFi gateway for eligible investors in Japan, with a target completion date of mid-2027.
The project focuses on creating a liquidity-provisioning protocol that integrates regulatory compliance directly into the system. The partners plan to utilize Uniswap v4 hooks to embed anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism measures into liquidity pools.
SMBC Nikko will manage regulatory engagement and provide compliance expertise, while Nethermind oversees technical development, including AI and smart-contract security. The initiative is overseen by the DeFi Technology Department at SMBC Nikko, established in February 2026.
The participants will provide regular updates to the Financial Services Agency of Japan throughout the development process. The initiative aims to enable regulated investors to access decentralized financial products within a framework recognized by local authorities.
