TEAMZ Web3 / AI SUMMIT 2026: Institutional Entry, Policy Shift, and Rising Calls for "Crypto ETFization"

Entering 2026, Japan’s Web3 industry is ushering in a new acceleration phase: on one hand, traditional financial institutions such as banks, securities firms, and trusts continue to expand their presence, from RWA and security tokens to 24/7 tokenized trading platforms, with institutional entry shifting from “testing the waters” to “systematic promotion.”

On the other hand, the Japanese government is sending clearer signals of support. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama recently publicly stated support for introducing crypto asset trading mechanisms into traditional markets such as stock exchanges and commodity exchanges, referencing the US crypto ETFs, and promoting the direction of “mainstreaming digital assets like BTC and ETH” through compliance.

Meanwhile, Japan’s crypto tax reform is accelerating: multiple media reports indicate that Japan plans to lower the current maximum crypto asset income tax rate of 55% to around 20%, similar to stocks, and introduce more comprehensive regulatory frameworks and investor protection mechanisms, further unleashing innovation.

On the corporate side, “DAT (Digital Asset Treasury)” has become a new trend — an increasing number of companies are trying to include digital assets in their balance sheets as reserves or part of financial strategies, driving market enthusiasm higher.

On the community side, the number of Web3 developers, researchers, and entrepreneurial groups is steadily growing. The industry is gradually shifting from speculative trading to “application implementation and commercialization,” with Japan forming a more mature ecosystem.

Against this macro backdrop, Japan’s largest Web3 and AI technology summit — TEAMZ Web3 / AI SUMMIT 2026 — has officially announced its latest developments: Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and Democratic Party of Japan leader Yuichiro Tamaki confirmed their attendance, and the first wave of top-tier guest lineups has been revealed; meanwhile, all 10 “Title Sponsor” slots have been sold out, with industry leaders gathering in Tokyo.

Finance Minister Katayama and Representative Tamaki confirmed their attendance, elevating the political attention on TEAMZ SUMMIT 2026.

The organizers announced that Satsuki Katayama (Finance Minister / Minister of Financial Services) will attend and deliver a speech at TEAMZ Summit 2026. Minister Katayama has long focused on financial system reform and industrial restructuring. In the current context of Japan accelerating digital asset and financial innovation, her participation is seen as an important signal of “policy and industry further dialogue.”

Additionally, Yuichiro Tamaki, representative of the Democratic Party of Japan and member of the House of Representatives, has also confirmed his attendance. Tamaki has served in Japan’s Ministry of Finance (formerly the Ministry of Finance), with extensive administrative experience in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Financial Services Agency, and Osaka National Tax Agency, and holds significant influence on topics such as “digital finance, industrial policy, and international competition.”

Web3 × AI Full Expansion: From “Cryptography” to “Next-Generation Industry Infrastructure”

TEAMZ SUMMIT has always been an important platform connecting global Web3 industry resources. In 2026, the conference will undergo a significant upgrade: not only continuing to cover core Web3 topics but also focusing on the AI (Artificial Intelligence) field, bringing the intersection of “on-chain economy” and “smart revolution” to the forefront.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Tradition Meets Tomorrow.” It will be held for the first time at the historic Japanese garden, Happo-en, which has a 400-year history. The organizers stated that in this space filled with Eastern aesthetics and ceremonial atmosphere, they will showcase cutting-edge technologies integrating “blockchain and AI,” allowing attendees to experience the real-world application of future technologies in a setting different from traditional conference centers.

The first wave of top-tier guest lineups announced: Top players in Web3 and AI gather in Tokyo.

In addition to two heavyweight political guests, the conference also announced several influential international and Japanese guests, including but not limited to:

Subash (Tether), Michael Terpin (Transform Ventures), Mr. Kongo Satsu ( Matsuo Research Institute )

Nick DiSisto (Trust Wallet), Takatoshi Shibayama (Ledger)

Genki Oda (JVCEA), Sota Watanabe (Startale Group), Tomohiko Kondo (SBI VC Trade)

Ken Kodama (EMURGO), Mai Furukawa (XRPL Japan), Hirotaka Kunimitsu (Financier Co., Ltd.)

Vineet Budki (Sigma Capital), Ken Kawai (Anderson Mori & Tomsone)

Salim (Maidaan AI), Tatsuya Saito (Progmat), Sō Saito (Sō & Sato Law Office)

Marc Piano (Horizons Global), Anand Iyer (Canonical)

among other top industry leaders from around the world and Japan, covering key tracks in Web3 and AI.

All 10 sponsorship slots are sold out: XRP, Cardano, SBI VCT, Startale, EMURGO, and other industry leaders participate.

The organizers also announced that all 10 “Title Sponsor” slots, the most critical partnership level, have been sold out in advance. Major global industry players such as XRP, Cardano, SBI VCT, Startale, EMURGO, AAC, and Envo have confirmed as top-tier partners for the 2026 TEAMZ SUMMIT.

In addition, more sponsorship and exhibition collaborations are ongoing. Web3/AI companies from around the world will gather at Happo-en in Tokyo to showcase the latest technologies, ecological collaborations, and global partnerships.

For information about sponsoring companies, please refer to the official website.

Over 100 media, community, VC, and supporting organizations will coordinate: conference content will be disseminated in real-time worldwide.

TEAMZ SUMMIT 2026’s media partners, community partners, VC partners, and supporting organizations total over 100, forming a powerful global dissemination network. On-site releases and discussions will be broadcast through media and niche communities in multiple countries, enhancing the global exposure and business matching efficiency for participating companies and projects.

Media partners include: Cointelegraph Global, CoinPost, bitcoin.com, Cointelegraph Japan, BlockBeats, Foresight News, Crypto Times, PANews, Jinse Finance, BlockTempo, Iolite, Pacific Meta, and other mainstream industry media.

Community partners include: PALacademy, Akindo, Hakuhodo Key3, Progmat, Shibuya Web3 University, CIC Tokyo, Tokyo Fintech, and others.

VC and investment organization partners are also expanding, including: Draper Associates, Dragonfly, Blockchain Capital, Wintermute, Hyperithm, NGC Ventures, SevenX Ventures, and more international capital participation.

For details about media partners, community partners, VC partners, and supporting organizations, please visit the official website.

Japan’s three major industry associations confirm support: JCBA, JVCEA, JBA, continuing their official backing for two consecutive years.

The conference also confirms that Japan’s three representative organizations in the Web3 and crypto asset industry:

Japan Crypto Asset Business Association (JCBA)

Japan Crypto Asset Trading Industry Association (JVCEA)

Japan Blockchain Association (JBA)

will continue to support TEAMZ Web3 / AI SUMMIT 2026, providing stronger endorsement for the conference’s professionalism, compliance, and industry influence.

Official information for TEAMZ Web3 / AI SUMMIT 2026:

Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Location: Happo-en, Minato City, Tokyo

Theme: Tradition Meets Tomorrow

Guest count: 130+

Expected attendees: 10,000+

Official website:

Tickets: en/tickets-list-2026

About TEAMZ

TEAMZ is a global accelerator focused on Web3 and AI. Through summits, marketing, corporate collaborations, and ecological connections, it promotes the development of Japan’s innovation ecosystem. Its flagship event, TEAMZ Web3 / AI Summit, attracts participants from over 50 countries and regions annually, connecting entrepreneurs, investors, enterprises, and government agencies to create a globalized business cooperation platform.