Fracton Ventures announces the launch of "AUTON" (hereinafter referred to as "the Program"), an acceleration program aimed at revitalizing talent exchange and joint business development between the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) sectors. The Program is co-hosted with SMBC Nikko Securities Inc., Next Finance Tech Inc., UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC), and Prime Beat Inc. We are currently seeking participants, primarily students, researchers, and engineers in the AI field who are eager to apply their technological expertise to the DeFi sector.

With the expanding adoption of stablecoins and the emergence of new payment rails that enable AI agents to execute transactions autonomously, AI is becoming an increasingly vital tool in the DeFi market. While AI is already being utilized across many industries, this Program aims to identify the unique challenges and opportunities within DeFi to foster continuous innovation in the field.

Under the mission of "Building the future of the Ethereum ecosystem from Asia," Fracton Ventures has been creating and supporting the growth of crypto startups built on Ethereum. Through this Program, we will support new value creation through the integration of AI technology and DeFi, driving the development of the next-generation digital asset market.

As its inaugural edition, this Program is a hybrid (in-person and online) acceleration program that provides support for building innovative solutions utilizing AI, while learning from leading experts in the DeFi field.

Selected participants will receive the following support over a three-month period:

• Lectures on the fundamental concepts of DeFi

• Technical support from technology partners

• Mentoring aimed at refining prototypes

Furthermore, depending on the content of their presentations at the Demo Day, participants may receive additional support for global service expansion and fundraising.

This Program is implemented with the sponsorship of leading companies driving the global DeFi ecosystem. Supporters include Jupiter, a decentralized exchange (DEX) and liquidity aggregator (*2) on the Solana blockchain boasting the world's largest TVL (*1) in the DeFi sector; Jito, a leading staking (*3) service provider on the same blockchain; and Reactive Network, an on-chain data automation layer that enables the automatic execution of smart contracts triggered by events using only gas costs (*4).

Additionally, to leverage networks and sandbox opportunities in global research, business, and regulatory fields, we are collaborating with partners such as the Frontier Technology Laboratory (FTL) (*5) and the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan (*6).

(*1) TVL (Total Value Locked) is an indicator showing the total value of crypto assets deposited (locked) in DeFi protocols, converted to US dollars. It is considered one of the most important metrics for evaluating the liquidity, utilization rate, popularity, and security health of DeFi projects.
(*2) A technology/service that aggregates price information from multiple crypto asset exchanges (DEXs) and liquidity pools to provide users with optimal exchange rates and high liquidity.
(*3) Staking is an investment method where users hold and lock crypto assets that adopt PoS (Proof of Stake), contributing to the maintenance and stable operation of the blockchain, and receiving rewards (crypto assets) in return.
(*4) Fees incurred when executing remittances or other transactions on the blockchain. (*5) An "open innovation ecosystem" connecting institutions such as Cambridge University, Oxford University, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (*6) An organization promoting collaboration and development among companies, talent, and innovation in the Web3 sector in Japan and Asia.

SMBC Nikko Securities Inc.
Company Name: SMBC Nikko Securities Inc.
Representative: Shuji Yoshioka, President and CEO (Representative Director)
Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business: Financial Instruments Business
Website: https://www.smbcnikko.co.jp/

Next Finance Tech Inc.
Company Name: Next Finance Tech Inc.
Representative: Soichiro Tokuriki, Representative Director and CEO
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo
Business: A blockchain infrastructure company based in Japan, providing staking services as a node operator to corporate clients globally and domestically. Leveraging its track record as an operator, the company provides a wide range of solutions to clients, including the development of crypto asset management systems and consulting businesses. Website: https://nxt-fintech.com/

UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC)
Company Name: UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd.
Representative: Kosuke Ueda, Representative Director
Location: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Business: UTokyo IPC is an investment business company established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Tokyo. Focusing on investment and commercialization support for academia-originated startups, it manages multiple funds totaling nearly 60 billion yen. Furthermore, it operates "1stRound," one of Japan's largest cross-academia startup growth support programs, in collaboration with 22 universities and 5 research institutes. Through the creation of world-class startups and ecosystem building, it conducts activities to contribute to strengthening Japan's industrial competitiveness globally.
Website: https://www.utokyo-ipc.co.jp/

Prime Beat Inc.
Company Name: Prime Beat Inc.
Representative: Ryukyo Shibuya,
Representative Director and CEO
Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Business: As a blockchain startup originating from the University of Tokyo, it provides integrated services for companies, from token design, protocol design, implementation promotion, and development support to connection with overseas markets. It supports the implementation of economic zones/economic infrastructures where people, AI, and machines create and distribute value.
Website: https://www.prime-beat.com/

Fracton Ventures is Japan's first Crypto-focused incubator/venture studio, conducting incubation activities specialized in the Ethereum ecosystem. In the incubation programs launched since 2021, it has supported over 50 protocols and their founders to date, making it an incubator with one of the most extensive track records in Japan.

In addition, it is engaged in information dissemination for the development of the Crypto and Ethereum ecosystems, such as the publication of the book "Web3 and DAO: The 'New Economy' Where Everyone Can Be a Protagonist" (Kanki Publishing) by its co-founders. Furthermore, it independently hosted the DAO conference "DAO TOKYO" in 2023 and 2024, and co-hosted "ETHTokyo" with Ethereum Japan in 2024 and 2025, acting as a hub connecting the ecosystem in collaboration with domestic and international protocols, Ethereum Layer 2s, and DAOs.

Additionally, it works on promoting the utilization and on-chaining of digital assets by companies and projects, supporting the formation of a new digital asset economic zone based on Ethereum.

[Company Overview]
Company Name: Fracton Ventures, Inc.
Location: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Representatives: Yudai Suzuki, Toshihiko Kamei
URL: https://fracton.ventures/

[Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Matter]
Department: Public Relations Department
Email: contact@fracton.ventures