Soft Space selected by Tokyo Stock Exchange to be a part of TSE Asia Startup Hub
**Selection Affirms Soft Space’s Credibility and Tech Strength in Japan’s Fintech Scene**
**Recognition Cements Soft Space’s Role in Japan’s Fintech, Driving Cashless Innovation**
Soft Space, a leading Fintech-as-a-Service (FaaS) provider headquartered in Malaysia, has been selected by Tokyo Stock Exchange Inc. (TSE) as one of 20 supported companies in its annual Asia Startup Hub programme. Notably, Soft Space is one of only two Malaysian firms included in this year’s list.
This prestigious selection highlights the stringent requirements Soft Space met to qualify for the programme and reinforces its credibility and technological strength within Japan’s highly competitive fintech ecosystem. Participation in the programme is set to open new business opportunities while preparing the company towards IPO readiness.
“Our selection into the TSE Asia Startup Hub is a significant milestone, as such recognition gives us substantial credibility—particularly as we continue to expand Soft Space’s presence in Japan and beyond,” said Joel Tay, CEO of Soft Space.
He added, “Japan is a unique and pivotal market for us, where we have been able to deploy new use cases across logistics and transportation with one of the world’s largest non-bank merchants. The invaluable experience gained in Japan’s diverse and scalable market provides us with a platform for the next phase of our global journey.”
The TSE Asia Startup Hub is an initiative designed to foster the growth of promising Asian startups with strong ties to Japan. Supported companies receive tailored assistance to explore opportunities in Japan, including partnerships with local corporations, guidance for long-term expansion, and fundraising support—potentially paving the way for eventual exit options.
Soft Space has been at the forefront of Japan’s cashless transformation, achieving milestones such as the world’s first SoftPOS solution supporting stablecoin payments and the launch of Tap to Pay on iPhone through the stera tap app. These breakthroughs were made possible through long-standing collaborations with leading Japanese institutions.
Such achievements have been underpinned by support from existing shareholders including transcosmos inc., Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company, and JCB Co., Ltd., which have provided both market access and credibility. This backing has enabled Soft Space to play a key role in advancing Japan’s payments landscape—from accelerating contactless adoption to driving innovation in digital currencies.
With established roots in Japan’s fintech ecosystem, this recognition provides a springboard for Soft Space to further deepen partnerships, explore new capital-raising opportunities, and accelerate business expansion in one of the world’s most dynamic financial markets.
This milestone follows Soft Space’s recent inclusion in Forbes Asia’s “100 to Watch” list, underscoring its position as one of the region’s most innovative and fast-growing fintech players.
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/startups/soft-space-selected-tokyo-stock-exchange-be-part-tse-asia-startup-hub
