SMBC Nikko starts work on compliant DeFi infrastructure for Japanese investors

SMBC Nikko Securities said it will develop regulatory-compliant DeFi infrastructure for Japanese investors with Nethermind, an Ethereum core developer. Uniswap Labs, Base and the Nyx Foundation will also take part. The group plans to build a "DeFi Gateway" consisting of a liquidity provision protocol and proprietary liquidity pools. Its main tasks include developing AI-based agent vaults and interfaces, applying AML/CFT and investor protection features through Uniswap v4 hooks, and creating liquidity provision strategies for digital assets such as stablecoins and real-world assets, or RWA. The project is targeted for completion by mid-2027.