Ryokachi × SBI VC Trade Tomohiko Kondo

adminJanuary 26, 2024

Learning the basics of investing in crypto assets with ALASSER woman

2024 is likely to draw attention to Bitcoin again, with the approval and start of sales of spot ETFs in the United States and the ‘halving’ scheduled for April this year. This year, I think some people are seriously considering crypto assets once again.
I (Ryokachi), who is a columnist and screenwriter, also saw the news about crypto assets, but entered 2024 without knowing the details of trading methods.
In this series, we will again teach financial experts how to buy and sell crypto assets and how to increase money only by investing in crypto assets.
Tomohiko Kondo, CEO and President of SBI VC Trade Co., Ltd., taught us about crypto asset trading. SBI VC Trade Co., Ltd. is under the SBI Group, which has been dealing with financial service businesses such as online securities, banking, and insurance, and operates the exchange “SBI VC Trade” with the catchphrase “SBI for crypto assets too”. no see.
There were a lot of things I didn’t know about the basic knowledge of crypto asset investment taught by professionals, even to me who had only a little experience investing in stocks. We would love to learn about crypto asset investing with our readers who are investing in crypto assets for the first time! Also, even if you already have investment experience, Mr. Kondo will teach you everything from the basics to applications in this series, so I would be happy if you could join us.

A necessity in the era of globalization? Why you should own crypto assets from now on
Ryokachi (left), SBI VC Trade Co., Ltd. CEO Tomohiko Kondo (right)
Ryokachi: Please take care of yourself today! Before we get started, let me share my experience investing in crypto assets.
=== <필자의 투자 경험> ・I am from an IT company and have invested in stocks using my smartphone. ・I do not want to think about difficult things, so I have never bought anything other than the “buy now” method. ・I have purchased a little bit of crypto assets more than 5 years ago, but they are as is. I am holding it for a long time and am not trading ===
Ryokachi: NISA will be renewed from 2024, and it seems that some people will be interested in owning financial assets. I also have experience investing in stocks, but is there a reason to own crypto assets?
Kondo: Actually, I think diversification of assets is very important. We also do not recommend investing all of your assets in crypto assets. However, since it is important to spread your assets little by little across various financial assets, I think investing in crypto assets as part of that would be a very good option.
Ryokachi: I’ve been feeling it very much lately! With the recent yen exchange rate, it seems that the number of people who feel insecure even if they only have the Japanese yen is increasing. Since the world situation is unstable, considering crypto assets as an investment target may definitely be an option.
Mr. Kondo: As I’m going to tell you through this series, there are various ways to increase your crypto assets other than making profits through trading.
Ryokachi: I’m curious!
Kondo: It is also attractive not only as an investment but also as a technological innovation. For example, it is convenient for international transfers, etc.
Mr. Kondo: The process is very simple and you can easily send money as long as you know the other party’s address. Fees are also significantly lower than international remittances.
Ryokachi: You can send it as easily as an email!
Mr. Kondo: Recently, in response to the 2017 Noto Peninsula earthquake, there has been a movement by multiple projects to collect donations in crypto assets from around the world. That’s one of the reasons why the fees are low and it’s easy to exchange globally.
Kondo: In addition, there are people who receive compensation in the form of crypto assets instead of receiving overseas remittances when working overseas.
Ryokachi: I remember that before, when I tried to send money overseas, it was a lot of trouble and a fee was charged… It’s like “◯◯Pay” that can be used anywhere in the world.
Mr. Kondo: However, crypto assets are also assets with large price fluctuations. So what is actually used in payments, etc. is often a crypto asset whose price is designed to be linked to fiat currency, etc., called stable coins. For example, USDC is linked to the price of the US dollar.
Ryokachi: There are also crypto assets whose prices are designed to be stable! It seems like it would have many uses. By the way, can USDC be bought on SBI VC trade as well?

Mr. Kondo: Until recently, stable coins could not be handled on domestic exchanges in Japan due to regulations, but the law was revised last year, so they will be able to be handled in Japan in the future as well. SBI VC Trade plans to be the first in Korea to deal with USDC, one of the stable coins with the largest circulation in the world.
Ryokachi: Awesome! I’m looking forward to it! Stable coins have stable prices, but crypto assets have an image of large price fluctuations.
Mr. Kondo: That is also a characteristic of crypto assets. For example, even the most important Bitcoin (BTC) roughly tripled in price from the beginning of last year to the end of the year.
Ryokachi: Three times! It was great to buy it last year! (laugh)
Mr. Kondo: In addition, Solana (SOL), which is handled by SBI VC Trade, has also increased in price by about 10 times over the past year. If it is a general investment product, the price will rarely increase in a short period of time.
Ryokachi: Solana, I heard. While I think news about crypto assets is valuable, it is difficult to follow trends because they move so quickly…
Mr. Kondo: That’s why I think it’s a good idea to hold crypto assets in small amounts. If you own even a little bit of it as an asset, you will be able to watch the news consciously. To motivate themselves to continue learning knowledge, many people buy at least a little bit first.
Ryokachi: By having even a little bit, you become “your own.” I felt the same way when I actually invested in stocks. It’s a good idea to own one first to broaden your horizons!
You can use the service from the day after application. SBI VC Trade responds to “I want to start now!”
Mr. Kondo: Mr. Ryokachi, you said you previously worked at an IT company. Was it smooth for you to open an account with SBI VC Trade?

Ryokachi: I was really surprised that I was able to open it right away! The application for account opening was completed around 23:00 at night, and the screening was completed around noon the next day. In reality, it only takes about half a day.
Mr. Kondo: We are working to speed up account opening. If you apply during the day, it may be approved on the same day. Unlike stocks, the crypto asset market moves 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (excluding maintenance hours), so we don’t want to wait for anyone who wants to start investing if possible.
Ryokachi: It’s nice. I thought opening an account would take a few days. Then, the motivation I had when applying often disappears (laughter), so I’m glad that I can start when I think, “I want to do this!”
Mr. Kondo: Was the deposit made quickly after opening the account?
Ryokachi: The deposit was made really quickly. I usually use internet banking, so maybe it’s because I’m used to it. Still, it was faster than other services that transfer money to a designated bank account I used in the past!
Mr. Kondo: Since deposits can be made even on Saturdays, it is a service that allows you to start and invest right away when you think, “I want to do this!”
Ryokachi: The UI was also very easy to understand, even though I have used smartphone securities and financial services so far!
Mr. Kondo: Mr. Ryokachi, I think you were active as a selfie girl in the past. Were you able to take eKYC (online identity verification) selfies without any problems?
Ryokachi: Yes, I was used to it, so it was OK (laughter).
Mr. Kondo: When Mr. Ryokachi registered, Bitcoin equivalent to 1,000 yen will be deposited through the account opening campaign.
Ryokachi: Yes, right? I’m happy that I can receive Bitcoin just by registering!
Kondo: There is also a friend introduction campaign. In addition, we run campaigns from time to time.
What is a “Price Order” or “Order Now”? Quickly buy crypto assets with the app.
Mr. Kondo: Then, shall we actually buy and sell crypto assets using a smartphone app? Let’s buy the most major Bitcoin. Try tapping “Sales Office” on the left end of the bottom menu.
Ryokachi: Various coins are lined up! Tap ‘Bitcoin’ and press ‘Buy’ ‘Order Now’. At the top, the current price of 1BTC is written for easy understanding! SBI VC Trade also appreciates the easy-to-understand design.

Mr. Kondo: Right now, 1 BTC = about 6.3 million yen. Many people are mistaken, but at SBI VC Trade, you can buy Bitcoin in increments of 0.0001. In other words, you can purchase it for around 630 yen.
Ryokachi: Of course, I thought that Bitcoin was “too high and I can’t do anything anymore!” But you can buy it in small units. It’s really the same price as cafe coffee.
Mr. Kondo: Yes, you can live just by holding down a beer at a tavern. So, I think that if you check it every day, you will naturally acquire knowledge about crypto assets.
Ryokachi: Moreover, it is easy to understand that there is a “0.0001” button when entering numbers! I was able to buy it right away.

Kondo: For 630 yen, the obstacles you have are also lowered.
Ryokachi: Even if it is 1/3, it is 210 yen, and if it is tripled, it is 1,890 yen. I think I can take on the challenge without any pressure.
Condo: Additionally, the minimum purchase price varies depending on the crypto asset. For example, if it’s SOL, you can buy it for around 15 yen. Since each asset is different, it may be a good idea to look at and compare them in various ways.
Ryokachi: Since I like shopping, I thought about buying various crypto assets little by little. There is a pleasure in being able to buy a lot (laughter)
Mr. Kondo: There are several crypto asset exchanges in Japan, but SBI VC Trade is also particular about the stocks it handles. For example, there are only a few places that handle SOL in Japan.
Ryokachi: Just now, I thought USDC was going to be handled quickly in Korea as well. Are there any other coins that can be purchased in Japan using only SBI VC Trade?
Kondo: We are the only company in Korea that deals with XDC. This is a coin that will grow significantly starting around the summer of 2023. Then, Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shibainu (SHIB) are popular products that both have icons and are classified as so-called memecoins, but there are not many exchanges in the country that cover them all.
Ryokachi: Hmm. then. Since the Shiba Inu icon is cute, I decided to buy a Shiba Inu. 100,000SHIB, which is about 130 yen now.

Ryokachi: When you click “Purchase,” there are “Order Now” and “Specify Price Order.” Which would be better to buy from. What on earth is the difference?
Condo: ‘Order Now’ is a feature that allows you to buy coins now at the amount displayed at the top of the app.
Ryokachi: Even when investing in stocks, when purchasing financial assets, you are basically purchasing them in a way that you can buy them now. Because I didn’t know the details… … What is a “Price Limit Order”?
Mr. Kondo: “Price Specified Order” is literally a function to purchase coins by specifying a price. For example, you can use it when you are thinking, “If the price drops to this price, I will buy it.”
Ryokachi: Convenient! Does that have an expiration date? Can I still buy it at that price in a few months?
Mr. Kondo: There is no expiration date, so just decide “I will buy it at this price” and leave, and you will automatically purchase coins on your behalf.
Ryokachi: So you can differentiate between “I want it now! (order now)” and “I want it to be cheap (specified price order).”
Mr. Kondo: We’ve talked about “buying” now, but I think price-specified orders are also important when “selling.”
Ryokachi: It wasn’t sold! I want to try it!
Mr. Kondo: The price of crypto assets moves 24 hours a day, so there are times when the price goes up in the middle of the night and goes down in the morning.
Ryokachi: Ah, that’s very unfair (laughter)
Mr. Kondo: For example, it is not possible to constantly check prices during the day. That is why “specified price ordering” is convenient. If you set the price you want, you can sell or buy coins while you sleep.
Ryokachi: Let’s sell half of the Shibainu we purchased earlier using a “specified price order.” Set the price a little higher than now…
Mr. Kondo: Since there is no expiration date, I think it is okay to set the price at a fairly high price. No money is charged until the transaction is completed, as ordering is free.
Ryokachi: How many times can we do this again?
Mr. Kondo: As long as the order is not a contract (a buy or sell order is executed and a sale is established), it is OK to repeat the order as many times as you want, and there is no cost each time.
Ryokachi: Then we boldly set a high price. It would be nice if a Shiba Inu grew up without you knowing…
(continue)