Bringing RWA Closer with 'Trust': A Unified Approach to Global Markets — Interview with Shinsuke Waka

Key Points of This Article

1. RWA Business Centered on Trust
Building strong trust through the achievements of trading companies and Japan's strict compliance with laws and regulations. Offering investors tangible Real RWA (RRWA) fractionalized products with confidence through the domestically developed cryptocurrency 'ZPG', which aims to be linked to gold prices, and the digital securities 'ALTERNA' for individuals.

2. Integrated Production and Sales through Alterna Trust
Establishing 'Alterna Trust' to internalize real estate trusts, completing a fully integrated production and sales process from procurement to sales. Achieved immediate feedback of customer data and significantly accelerated product formation. Furthermore, advanced operations utilizing AI are being verified with an eye on on-chain transactions.

3. Global Expansion Tied to the Real Economy
Aiming to improve liquidity through tax reforms and stablecoins. Presenting a reliable Japan-originated RRWA model with a seamless UI/UX that lowers psychological barriers by making technology less noticeable. Challenging to gain leadership in the global market through consortium participation and other means.

──As a 'comprehensive trading company that moves the real economy', please tell us about the unique value you provide in the tokenization of RWA and your current specific initiatives.

Shinsuke Waka (hereafter, Waka): While the image of a general trading company may be strong in metals and energy resources, our business unit is responsible for 'finance, logistics, and real estate' related businesses, promoting businesses with strengths. Specifically, the team handling commodity derivatives has consistently ranked among the top 10 globally. In Japan's real estate asset management sector, we have also built a solid history, such as leading the launch of the country's first logistics REIT.

Our greatest feature is the creation of new businesses by combining such a solid business foundation and expertise in each field with the latest technology of blockchain, involving powerful partner companies.

──Please share your perspective on key players in market formation and Mitsui & Co.'s viewpoint.

Waka: Ultimately, 'trust' is indispensable to establish the RWA business. If you can create a strong framework that guarantees trust in both the technology and mechanisms and the organization providing them, it will naturally be evaluated by the market and attract funds. Therefore, partnerships with companies that can provide high trust together are crucial.

We are also concurrently advancing new business development using AI, which is most compatible with on-chain.

Currently, we are verifying 'AI Commodity Trading' in collaboration with Preferred Networks. This initiative generates optimal buy and sell signals for multiple commodities such as gold and copper using AI, and specific returns have already been confirmed in past simulations. If transactions are on-chain, this technology should further demonstrate its true value.

However, at present, while leaving strategic decision-making to AI, we deliberately insert a 'human touch' by our trading team in the actual execution from a risk management perspective. While leveraging AI's advanced decision-making capabilities, humans ultimately ensure governance. That is our current approach.