SBINFT Provides Technical Support for User Engagement Enhancement Pilot at Obayashi-Operated “Minmachi SHOP”

On January 15, 2026, SBINFT Inc. announced that it will provide technical support for a pilot project aimed at enhancing user engagement at “Minmachi SHOP,” a matching service operated by Obayashi Corporation. The pilot will begin on February 1, 2026, and will feature NFT-based gamification initiatives designed to promote service usage and enhance user experience.

“SBINFT Mits,” provided by SBINFT, is a marketing platform that leverages NFTs to visualize fans and support their engagement, development, and acquisition through a one-stop solution. Equipped with 12 functions, including NFT issuance and distribution, the platform enables companies to build direct relationships with their fans. Since the launch of its open beta in September 2023, SBINFT Mits has been adopted in a total of 51 projects.

To expand the application of the platform, SBINFT has participated in the MUIC Innovation Co-Creation Program organized by the Kansai Innovation Center. Through the program, the company sought partners to jointly explore initiatives that use NFTs as incentives to encourage continued user engagement.

Meanwhile, Obayashi Corporation, also participating in the same program, has been promoting community development through Minmachi SHOP by leveraging user needs visualized within specific areas. With both companies sharing a common vision, the pilot project was realized as a collaborative effort centered on using NFTs to stimulate user behavior and visualize individual contributions.

The pilot project will be conducted from February 1 to February 28, 2026. Through “SBINFT Mits,” SBINFT will provide the mechanisms for issuing and distributing NFTs, creating an experience in which Minmachi SHOP users can enjoy services through NFTs while connecting more deeply with the community.

Specifically, users of Minmachi SHOP will create an account on SBINFT Mits via the service and apply for participation through a dedicated event page. Upon registration, a membership NFT will be issued on the Polygon blockchain and delivered to the wallet designated by the user. The membership NFT can be viewed not only within SBINFT Mits but also on the Minmachi SHOP website, where users can check the NFT image and their membership rank.

The membership NFTs feature a rank-based system that allows users to level up based on their service usage. Activity records—such as service utilization, referrals that lead to actual usage, and engagement with previously unused service categories—are recorded as metadata within the NFT and visualized on the blockchain. These on-chain data sets do not contain any personally identifiable information and can be viewed by third parties, enabling verification of their potential use as objective data for community development.

Expectations for Participatory, Area-Based Community Development

During the pilot period, users holding membership NFTs above a certain rank are expected to receive benefits such as discount vouchers, free access to limited services, and invitations to exclusive events, with further details to be announced at a later date.

Through this initiative, SBINFT aims to help build a framework that connects local governments, developers, regional businesses, and area residents through NFTs, thereby supporting a participatory model of community development. The company also anticipates that similar initiatives will expand nationwide, positioning the project as a notable example of real-world Web3 adoption.

As NFTs move beyond their role as mere digital assets and are increasingly used as infrastructure to visualize user behavior and contributions, the extent to which such approaches will spread within the context of regional revitalization and urban development will be closely watched.