UNBANKED

Basic Information

Stock Code
8746
Industry
Securities, Commodity Futures Trading
Category Detail
Financial Intermediation
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
November 1972
Listing Year
March 1996
Official Website
https://unbanked.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Pas, CAPITA, Sonocom, Nissan Securities Group, Kobayashi Yoko, Yutaka Trust Securities

Overview

UNBANKED is a securities industry company established in 1972, specializing in gold bullion sales after scaling back its commodity futures trading business.

Current Situation

UNBANKED recorded consolidated net sales of 5.31 billion yen for the fiscal year ended March 2024, centering its business on physical sales of precious metals. After the 2020 accounting irregularities, it scaled down and discontinued its commodity futures trading business, advancing reconstruction through relationships with major banks and capital-business alliances. As a technological innovation, it launched sales of the cryptocurrency 'Kinka' and is expanding into new asset management areas. With sustainability in mind, it established related subsidiaries for asset diversification, aiming for mid- to long-term stable growth. Its primary customers are individual investors and gold trading participants, and it strives to strengthen its management base. It changed its trade name to UNBANKED in July 2024 for a refresh, addressing IT utilization and market development. Moving forward, it will emphasize cryptocurrency business expansion and community-focused strategies to secure growth drivers.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Rare commodity futures firm specialized in gold bullion sales.
  • Drastically scaled down business after 2020 accounting irregularities.
  • Cryptocurrency Kinka is one of Japan's first gold-linked tokens.
  • Head office in Ebisu First Square, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
  • Owns 50% stake in CloudBank Capital.
  • Changed trade name to UNBANKED in July 2024, launching new structure.
  • Major banks: Mizuho Bank, Resona Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
  • Management restructuring advanced after 2018 death of lead shareholder.

Hidden Connections

  • Capital-business alliance with CloudBank for fintech collaboration.
  • Pioneer in early transition from gold bullion trading to cryptocurrency business.
  • Transferred branches to Nissan Securities for business streamlining and focused management.
  • Key financial industry player during Yoshihara Group era.
  • Designated for special quotation market on Tokyo Stock Exchange from 2020 to 2022.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of cryptocurrency and digital asset markets
  • Financial industry digitalization and fintech collaboration strengthening
  • Recovery in domestic and international gold investment demand
  • New product development leveraging existing customer base
  • Credit recovery via deregulation and compliance enhancement
  • Synergy creation with CloudBank
  • Active adoption of IT and blockchain technology
  • Strengthened asset management education and consulting
  • Service expansion for new markets
  • Enhanced direct sales and e-commerce channels

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve over 30% sales ratio from cryptocurrency business
  • Global standard compliance system
  • Secure top share in domestic gold market
  • Strengthen sustainable management and ESG initiatives
  • Expand CSR activities for community coexistence
  • Build and optimize diverse sales channels
  • Diversify financial product portfolio
  • Improve investment efficiency with AI and big data
  • Enhance group company collaboration and resource allocation
  • Nationwide expansion of investor education programs

Business Segments

Financial Product Sales Support

Overview
Provides gold bullion sales and related services to financial institutions and asset management companies.
Competitiveness
Expertise in precious metals sales and linkage with cryptocurrency
Customers
  • Financial institutions
  • Asset management companies
  • Securities firms
  • Investment advisory firms
  • Real estate investment corporations
  • Corporate pension funds
  • Fund managers
  • High-net-worth individuals
  • Insurance companies
  • Institutional investors
Products
  • Gold bullion physical
  • Cryptocurrency Kinka
  • Asset preservation services
  • Investment education programs
  • Reports for investors
  • Risk management solutions

System and IT Services Provision

Overview
Deploys construction and operational support services for financial IT systems.
Competitiveness
Industry-specialized technology and customizability
Customers
  • Securities companies
  • Financial service companies
  • Retailers
  • Cryptocurrency exchanges
  • Investment education institutions
Products
  • Investment management platform
  • Cryptocurrency-related systems
  • Customer management software
  • Payment solutions

Education and Information Services

Overview
Strengthens customer base through investor education and market information provision.
Competitiveness
Diverse channels via real-world and digital delivery
Customers
  • Individual investors
  • Corporate investors
  • Financial education institutions
  • Seminar operators
Products
  • Investment education seminars
  • Information distribution services
  • Webinars
  • Market research reports

Cryptocurrency-Related Business

Overview
Business centered on gold-linked cryptocurrency services.
Competitiveness
Pioneer in fusing traditional assets with digital assets
Customers
  • Cryptocurrency exchanges
  • Digital asset investors
  • Blockchain development companies
Products
  • Cryptocurrency Kinka
  • Token management services
  • Blockchain integration solutions

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Expertise in physical gold bullion sales
  • Financial strength from capital-business alliances
  • Pioneering expansion in cryptocurrency business
  • Superior location in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
  • Efficient management despite small scale
  • Abundant trading know-how
  • Reliable customer base
  • Meticulous customer service
  • Synergies with related subsidiaries
  • Multi-channel sales network

Competitive Advantages

  • Historical brand in commodity futures trading industry
  • Specialized sales force focused on precious metal bullion
  • New market development using cryptocurrency Kinka
  • Strengthened partnerships with major financial institutions
  • Improved funding supply through alliance with CloudBank
  • Trust recovery via rebuilt compliance framework
  • Swift response to business structure reforms
  • Cost reduction effects from branch closures
  • Customer acquisition via information seminars
  • Revenue diversification through diverse services

Threats

  • Delayed image recovery from accounting irregularities
  • Stricter regulations in commodity futures market
  • Price volatility risks in cryptocurrency market
  • Aggressive share expansion by competitors
  • Lag in financial industry's digital transformation
  • Uncertainty in external economic environment such as COVID-19
  • Strengthening risk aversion among investors
  • Fluctuations in funding environment
  • Potential shrinkage of customer base
  • Policy risks in international markets

Innovations

2023: Launch of Cryptocurrency Kinka Sales

Overview
Developed and launched sales of cryptocurrency linked to gold prices.
Impact
Successfully expanded reach to diverse investor layers

2024: Listing on 3 Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Overview
Listed Kinka on CoinW Exchange, BitMart, and MEXC to expand liquidity.
Impact
Enhanced market liquidity and brand awareness

2020: Initiation of Capital-Business Alliance with CloudBank

Overview
Strengthened new businesses through alliance with crowdfunding operations.
Impact
Diversified funding and expanded service scope

2023: Subsidiary Acquisition of PersonalCapital

Overview
Acquired subsidiary to accelerate entry into asset management field.
Impact
Strengthened comprehensive financial services framework

Sustainability

  • Strengthened internal controls to prevent accounting irregularity recurrence
  • Adherence to Financial Instruments and Exchange Act compliance
  • Regular corporate ethics training
  • Promotion of precious metal asset donations to communities
  • Environmentally considerate operations