G.U.Group Announces Company Name Change and Fundraising of 420 Million Yen Led by Lead Investor B Dash Venture

G.U.Group, Inc. (headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo; CEOs: Hidekazu Kondo and Daimei Inaba, hereinafter referred to as 'our company'), a provider of web3 solutions such as 'Japan Open Chain' and 'Lunascape', has announced a change in its company name from 'G.U. Labs' to 'G.U. Group'. Additionally, the company has successfully completed a fundraising round, securing a total of 420 million yen. This round included equity investment led by B Dash Ventures Inc. (headquartered in Minato, Tokyo; CEO: Hiroyuki Watanabe), and also involved token sales targeted at overseas investors.

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◽️ Background of the Name Change

With the expansion of its web3 business, the former G.U. Labs Inc. has evolved into a parent company overseeing several entities. These include the Japan Blockchain Foundation Co., Ltd., which manages the Japan Open Chain project, G.U. Technologies Inc., and its Singapore subsidiary, G.U.Technologies Global. Given its expanded role overseeing the entire group, the decision was made to change its name from G.U. Labs Inc. to G.U. Group Inc. to more accurately reflect its position.

◽️ Background and Purpose of Fundraising

G.U. Group is actively involved in various projects, including the consortium-style public blockchain 'Japan Open Chain', the bank-oriented stablecoin solution 'G.U.Coin Studio', the enterprise blockchain building solution 'G.U.Blockchain Cloud', and the 'Lunascape' web browser, which has established a 20-year presence in Japan.

In line with the growth of our web3 business, our primary objective was to strengthen our organizational structure. Consequently, we completed a fundraising round of 420 million yen,with B Dash Ventures leading the investment and additional token fundraising from international investors. Moving forward, our goal is to leverage these funds to improve our system, enabling us to provide comprehensive solutions across all segments of the web3 industry, and to bolster our marketing strategies.

◽️ Comments from Each Company

G.U.Group, Inc.　CEO　Hidekazu Kondo

Looking back over the past five years since the foundation of our group, I'm truly amazed by the industry's swift growth. There was a time when it was even hard to explain what we were trying to accomplish, even before terms like NFT and web3 became common. However ,I firmly believe that the journey into the world of web3 is just beginning. We are now approaching a pivotal stage where the business landscape is starting to take shape. I’m expecting a significant surge in the web3 industry next year, spurred by the wider adoption of stablecoins.
At G.U. Group, our enduring podcast, gu.net, has sometimes attracted over 10,000 listeners, underscoring the escalating interest in this field. We are dedicated to persistently contributing to the progress of both Japan and the global community by fostering the growth of the web3 industry.

B Dash Ventures, Inc.　CEO　 Hiroyuki Watanabe

We are thrilled to announce our investment in G.U.Group, a leader in propelling Japan's web3 foundational technology. Their work, notably with the Japan Open Chain operated by premier Japanese enterprises and their assistance in bank-issued stablecoins, is truly commendable. In Japan's evolving web3 market, where dynamic web3 businesses are now taking shape, our expectations are high for G.U.Group. Their strategic position and innovative approach place them at the forefront, ready to seize emerging opportunities in this exciting field.

◽️ G.U.Group's Main Web3 Solutions

Japan Open Chain

Japan Open Chain stands out as an ideal solution for business applications, with a strong emphasis on both legal and technical practicality. It is managed by a consortium of prominent Japanese companies, including Sony Group, Dentsu, NTT, and others. This blockchain infrastructure is designed to be fully compatible with Ethereum, making it globally accessible. It offers a safe, secure, and cost-efficient solution, specifically tailored to meet the needs of the financial and business sectors.

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Official Website：https://www.japanopenchain.org/en/
X (Twitter)：https://x.com/JapanOpenChain0

G.U.Coin Studio - Stablecoin Issuance System for Financial Institutions

Stablecoins, which enables transfers and payments on the blockchain, are already widely used globally, representing about 20 trillion yen in USD value, and they are expected to become a major payment method globally in the near future. In Japan, amendments to the Payment Services Act have legally enabled financial institutions to issue stablecoins. Our company offers G.U.Coin Studio,a system designed for the issuance and management of stablecoins by financial institutions, compliant with both the Banking Law and the Payment Services Act.

Currently, G.U.Group is engaged in proof-of-concept experiments with various banks on the Japan Open Chain, focusing on the issuance and transfer of stablecoins. Our goal is to facilitate the circulation of bank-issued Japanese stablecoins both domestically and globally. We also plan to conduct proof-of-concept experiments with businesses to explore further uses of stablecoins.

Lunascape（web3 Browser）

Lunascape, a browser developed in Japan for over 20 years, combines safety, speed, and multifunctionality to address diverse user requirements. It incorporates an integrated web3 wallet, enabling seamless access to and use of dApps. Users can enjoy a variety of advanced features, such as robust ad blocking, an RSS reader for easy content access, efficient tab browsing, and an e-book reader, all available at no cost.

Official Website：https://www.lunascape.org/browser/mobile

G.U. Blockchain Cloud

G.U. Blockchain Cloud is a cloud service designed for the effortless construction and management of a full-scale Ethereum-compatible blockchain. It streamlines implementation into just three simple steps, removing the need for specialized blockchain engineers. This makes it easier and more cost-effective for companies to build and maintain their own blockchain systems.

Official Website：https://www.bccloud.net/

G.U. Wallet（web3 Compatible Wallet）

The G.U. Wallet, compatible with web3, offers a secure and user-friendly platform for managing cryptocurrency assets. Its innovative card-type design integrates token and network management, significantly reducing the risk of token mis-sending. Fully compatible with Ethereum-based Defi services, the G.U. Wallet includes advanced features like blacklist/whitelist management and wallet address privacy controls, providing users with both flexibility and security in their transactions.

Official Website：https://www.lunascape.org/wallet

◽️ About G.U.Group

G.U.Group encompasses a collective of companies, including Japan Blockchain Foundation Co., Ltd., which operates and manages the consortium for 'Japan Open Chain', a public chain ideal for web3 business applications. It also includes G.U.Technologies Inc., specializing in solutions for the stablecoin and NFT business sectors, and its parent company, G.U.Group Inc. Together, as a unified entity, we are dedicated to developing and providing safe, secure, and user-friendly solutions to businesses at an affordable cost, aimed at promoting the societal implementation of blockchain technology.

【Company Overview】
Company：G.U.Group, Inc
Location：Cerulean Tower 15th Floor, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
President：Hidekazu Kondo, Daimei Inaba
Established：April, 2018
URL：https://www.gu-group.com/
Business Activities： web3 wallet development, web3 browser development, blockchain-related research.
Related Companies: Japan Blockchain Foundation Co., Ltd., G.U.Technologies Inc.