One of Asia’s largest Web3 and AI conferences, TEAMZ Summit 2026, officially opened on April 7, 2026, at Happo-en in Tokyo.
Under the theme “Tradition Meets Tomorrow,” this year’s summit is set in the culturally rich and historic Happo-en, creating a one-of-a-kind conference where Japanese tradition meets cutting-edge technology.
Registration opened at 9:00 a.m., and long lines of attendees formed from the lower basement to outside the venue, reflecting the strong anticipation surrounding the event.
Day 1 Registration Scene
Each floor of the venue was designed around a distinct theme, offering attendees a diverse and immersive experience throughout the summit.
The venue featured a wide range of experiences, including the Main Stage, exhibition area, interview zone, networking area, side event area, VIP Lounge, Terrace Bar, Terrace Cafe, commemorative photo area, Terrace DJ area, and lunch area. In addition, attendees enjoyed bonsai installations sponsored by Title, kimono experiences, Dassai Happy Hour, sumo performances, and traditional Japanese street entertainment—creating a dynamic fusion of culture and innovation.
On the evening before the summit, TEAMZ hosted a VIP Welcome Dinner for more than 200 VIP guests. Accompanied by fine cuisine and drinks, the gathering provided an exceptional setting for high-quality networking and meaningful connections.
In addition, on April 7 and 8, the same venue operated as a VIP Lounge, offering VIP guests an exclusive space for relaxation, networking, meetings, and private conversations.
1F: Main Stage, Title Sponsor Exhibition Area, Interview Area
2F: Platinum / Gold / Silver Sponsor Exhibition Area, Media Room
2F Terrace: Coffee and Tea Area
3F: Lunch Area, Side Events, Networking Space
5F: XRP Tokyo Main Stage
6F: XRP Tokyo Exhibition
1F Terrace: TEAMZ Bar, sponsor flags, and the Binance Japan commemorative photo frame, along with sumo performances, traditional street entertainment, Dassai Happy Hour, and a Terrace DJ experience.
VIP Welcome Dinner
VIP Lounge, commemorative photo area, and bonsai installations sponsored by Title
Opening Through Japanese Cultural Performance
The opening performance was presented by Orientarhythm, captivating the audience with a powerful stage production built around the concept of sharing the beauty and coolness of Japan with the world.
ORIENTARHYTHM
Tokyo Shin Nonki Ren
Later in the afternoon, an Awa Odori performance by Tokyo Shin Nonki Ren further energized the venue, drawing the entire audience into a vibrant and unified atmosphere.
Keynote & Session Highlights
On Day 1, sessions covered a wide range of themes including Web3, AI, finance, regulation, and investment, offering forward-looking insights from across the global industry.
Keynote: Opening Address of TEAMZ SUMMIT 2026
Satsuki Katayama, Minister of Finance
Fireside：AI × Blockchain
The session explored the new value created by the convergence of AI and blockchain, as well as the practical initiatives driving real-world adoption.
Yuzo Kano, Representative Director and CEO of bitFlyer, Inc. / Midori Kanemitsu, Executive Officer and CPO of bitFlyer, Inc.
Keynote: XRPL’s Potential in Japan and the Role of Community
This keynote highlighted the importance of community in ecosystem growth and examined XRPL’s long-term potential in the Japanese market.
Mai Furukawa, Co-founder of XRPL Japan
Keynote: Convergence Strategy — A Neobank at the Intersection of Crypto, AI, and Fintech
The session presented a new financial model shaped by the convergence of neobanking and Web3.
EMURGO CEO Phillip Pon
Fireside：null²ⁿ x null⁴
Fireside: null²ⁿ x null⁴
On April 7, media artist Yoichi Ochiai, Representative Director of the Association for Computation and Nature, announced two new projects derived from “null²,” the signature pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
The first project, “null²ⁿ,” will launch as a permanent theater in Yokohama Landmark Tower in 2026. The second, “null⁴,” is scheduled to debut in March 2027 at GREEN×EXPO 2027, the 2027 International Horticultural Expo.
Yoichi Ochiai, Media Artist
Norikazu Miyagi, Head of DX Consulting Division, Macnica, Inc.
Panel: Finance Between Tradition and the Future
The panel explored the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets, examining how legacy systems and emerging financial models can evolve together.
Takaki Yamada | Head of Japan Business, Institutional Trading, FLOW TRADERS
Naoto Shimoda | General Manager, Digital Strategy Department, SMFG / SMBC
Yuki Tanaka | Head of Global Markets, BlackRock
Hideki Mitsuzuka | Executive Officer & COO, Webull Securities (Moderator)
Fireside: AI × Web3: Rebuilding Future Society — Vision and Reality
Yusuke Narita | Economist
Takeshi Chino | Representative Director, Binance Japan (Moderator)
Panel: The Future of Web3 Payments — How Stablecoins Will Transform Cashless Society
The panel introduced “StarPay-X,” a gateway concept designed to bridge Web2 and Web3, highlighting the transformative potential of stablecoins in next-generation cashless payments.
Li Gang | President & CEO, NetStars Co., Ltd.
Kenta Sakakibara | Country Manager, Circle
Shigeru Sato | Co-Lead, Solana Superteam Japan
Takashi Tezuka | CEO, Startale Japan
Keita Sekiguchi | Deputy Editor-in-Chief, NIKKEI Financial (Moderator)
Afternoon Session: Social Implementation and Global Expansion
Keynote: The Liberal Democratic Party’s AI/Web3 Strategy
This keynote examined the social transformation driven by AI and Web3, offering a forward-looking perspective on Japan’s role and strategic direction in this evolving landscape.
Hideto Kawasaki | Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Digital Affairs
Panel: CBDC × Private Stablecoins — Japan’s Vision for Next-Generation Currency
The panel explored the future of next-generation currency, examining how CBDCs and private stablecoins may coexist and complement each other across financial infrastructure and real-world applications.
Junichiro Hatogai | Director for Digital Currency Planning, Treasury Division, Ministry of Finance
Noritaka Okabe | Representative Director, JPYC Inc.
Tatsuya Saito | Founder & CEO, Progmat
Hiroki Akahoshi | Partner, Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC (Moderator)
Panel: Beyond the Smartphone — How AI Agents Will Transform Human Interfaces
The discussion explored the future of user experience in the post-smartphone era, highlighting how AI agents may redefine interfaces, devices, and digital interaction.
Even Realities Founder & CEO Will Wang / Leonis Capital Founder & General Partner Jay Zhao / Trive Digital General Partner Shawn Tan / IVC Partner Ann Chien / Lenovo GM , Head of Software & Managed Services Terence Ng（Moderator）
Will Wang｜Even Realities Founder & CEO
Jay Zhao｜Leonis Capital Founder & General Partner
Shawn Tan｜Trive Digital General Partner
Ann Chien｜IVC Partner
Terence Ng｜Lenovo GM, Head of Software & Managed Services（主持人）
Keynote: Connecting Japan and the GCC — A New Era of Institutional Capital in Web3
The keynote examined emerging capital flows between Japan and the Middle East, highlighting the growing role of institutional investment in the Web3 era.
Fawzi Hamze｜AAC Founder & Chairman
Keynote: Decentralized Identity and Privacy — A New Standard for Next-Generation Social Platforms
This keynote introduced a new framework for identity, privacy, and trust in the next generation of social platforms, pointing toward a decentralized future for digital interaction.
Raul Velazquez｜ENVO Chief Content & Media Officer
Panel: Building Trust in Digital Asset Markets — Regulation, Institutional Investors, and the Next Decade
The panel discussed the role of regulation and institutional participation in shaping a more credible, resilient, and sustainable digital asset market over the next ten years.
Ken Kawai | Partner, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
Benjamin Tsai | Co-founder & President, Wave Digital Assets
Marc Piano | Partner, HORIZONS GLOBAL
Hajime Saito | Managing Attorney, Sato Law Office
Robert Frenchman | Partner, DYNAMIS LLP (Moderator)
Fireside: Japan Web3 Reboot — Real Strategies from Entrepreneurs and Investors
This fireside session shared practical insights from entrepreneurs and investors, highlighting the real strategies shaping Japan’s Web3 resurgence.
Takafumi Horie | Entrepreneur
Hirotaka Kunimitsu | Representative Director & CEO, FiNANCiE, Inc.
Panel: DID/VC × AI Agents — Unlocking the Next Generation of Digital Identity
The discussion focused on the convergence of decentralized identity, verifiable credentials, and AI agents, outlining the future architecture of digital identity.
Tatsuto Fujii | Executive Officer, Head of Digital Strategy, Chief AI Officer, Mizuho Financial Group
Shumpei Tatebayashi | Deputy General Manager, Open Innovation Division, KDDI Corporation
Kantaro Fujimori | CEO / Founder, VESS Labs
Yuya Higuchi | Director, Biometrics & Vision AI Division, NEC; Web3 Thought Leader (Moderator)
Panel: Building in a Bear Market — New Strategies for Web3 Investment
The panel explored how investors can identify value, allocate capital, and build long-term conviction during market downturns.
Vineet Budki | CEO, Sigma Capital
James Wo | Founder & CEO, DFG
Tobias Bauer | GP & Co-founder, TBV
Kiichi Abe | CSO, HYPERITHM
Renee Francis | Founder & Director, TAKE 3 (Moderator)
Panel: Talent Strategy in the Age of Web3 and AI — Aligning Education, Industry, and National Policy
The panel examined how education, industry, and public strategy can work together to cultivate the talent needed for the next wave of innovation.
Dr. Joe Hüg | Lead Organizer & Licensee, TEDxInnovationU
Gary Surdam | Entrepreneur
John Fung | CMO, AVATAR48
Steve Ngok | CSO, DORA FACTORY
Kangyong Sun | Associate Professor, Hitotsubashi University Graduate School (Moderator)
Panel: What Will the Crypto Asset Market Look Like in 2026?
Tomoya Hasegawa | Market Analyst, bitbank Inc.
Kaso Nishi | Crypto Asset Analyst
Genki Oda | Chairman, Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association (JVCEA)
Marin Matsushima | Crypto Asset Analyst, Monex Securities Co., Ltd.
hajimex | President & CEO, Shibuya Web3 University
Keynote: What Does Trust Mean in the Age of Decentralization? — The Mission of Layer1 in 2026
This keynote explored how trust can be rebuilt in a decentralized era, emphasizing the critical role Layer1 infrastructure will play in the future of the ecosystem.
Charles Hoskinson | CEO & Founder, INPUT OUTPUT
Day 1 Summary
From Awa Odori and sumo performances to diverse exhibitions and interactive experiences, the venue remained energized throughout the day. More than a showcase of the latest in Web3 and AI, TEAMZ Summit 2026 created a uniquely inspiring environment by blending technological innovation with Japanese culture.
It was a day that truly embodied the spirit of “Tradition Meets Tomorrow.”
