Web3 Transition in Full Swing: Japan Takes Center Stage

The two-day TEAMZ Summit 2026 in Tokyo brought together over 130 speakers to discuss the latest developments in Web3. The event showcased Japan's growing role in the global Web3 transition, with government officials and institutional representatives engaging in discussions on regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, and standardization.

One of the key themes that emerged from the summit was the importance of trust in digital systems. Frederik Gregaard, CEO of the Cardano Foundation, emphasized that digital trust is becoming a new global currency. The conversations surrounding stablecoins, CBDCs, decentralized identity, and self-custody highlighted the need for infrastructure, standards, and accountability.

Japan's regulatory environment was also in focus, with government officials outlining their policy direction on AI and Web3. The country's Minister of Finance and Financial Services delivered a keynote on the role of AI and Web3 in shaping Japan's next society. Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Digital Affairs Hideto Kawasaki addressed digital infrastructure strategy, while Yuichiro Tamaki presented a session on making Japan a digital asset nation.

The summit also explored the intersection of AI and Web3, with multiple sessions addressing the convergence of these technologies. Participants discussed the cost of compute as an investment signal, AI agents operating within blockchain ecosystems, and DePIN as the infrastructure layer connecting the two.