What DeFimans does

DeFimans is a Tokyo-based web3 professional services firm founded in 2022 that advises Japanese enterprises, financial institutions, and government bodies on blockchain strategy, token design, and exchange listings. The firm operates three integrated lines of business: web3 consulting engagements (covering token design, listing advisory, and go-to-market strategy), event and community programming, and the exclusive operation of Messari's Japan franchise, which it secured in February 2024. Co-CEOs Ono Mitsushi and Sato Taishi, together with COO/CFO Sakaue Kenta, lead a team that grew from 1-10 employees at incorporation to approximately 20 staff by September 2023, with continued headcount expansion signaled through November 2024 hiring announcements.

The firm's underlying delivery model is human-capital intensive: engagements are scoped on a quote-based, project-by-project basis rather than SaaS or platform licensing, with disclosed track records of 30+ strategy engagements, 20+ token designs, and 25+ token listings across Japanese and international clients. Customer breadth spans enterprise (Mitsui & Co., gumi, NS Solutions, DMM Crypto, Shinwa Artex, MARBLEX, ACA Football Partners), government (Liberal Democratic Party Financial Innovation Project Team), and academia (Waseda MBA, University of Tokyo DSEP, Keio, Shibuya School, Tsukuba), supported by a network of 200+ ecosystem partners.

Revenue mechanics combine professional services fees, event sponsorship and ticket revenue, and Messari Japan licensing/operations income. The firm was self-funded through 2023 but joined SBI Group in June 2024, providing capital and distribution scale, and completed an acquisition of Omakase Inc. in June 2026 to extend its service stack. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, reflecting the bespoke nature of consulting deliverables and the willingness of marquee Japanese enterprise clients to fund custom web3 strategy work.

Name

DeFimans

Legal name

株式会社DeFimans

Website

https://defimans.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DeFimans is a Tokyo-based web3 consulting firm founded in 2022 that advises Japanese enterprises, government bodies, and academic institutions on blockchain strategy, token design, and listings, operating the exclusive Messari Japan franchise and serving clients such as Mitsui & Co. and gumi.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Blockchain / Web3 Consulting Services

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Liquidity Management & Market-Making Protocols (FSADAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Staking, Restaking & Liquid Staking Finance (LST/LRT, validator markets) (FSAPAEAH), Yield Aggregators & Strategy Vaults (FSADAMAF)

Keywords

• Web3 consulting
• Tokenomics design
• DeFi advisory
• Blockchain strategy
• Crypto market expansion

Headquarters

HQ city

Toranomon

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. web3 consulting services (strategy, token design, listing, partnerships): Bespoke professional consulting engagements with milestones and defined scopes. Mix of one-off strategy projects, multi-month token economics design engagements, token listing support, and ongoing advisory. Pricing is quote-based. Track record cited: 30+ business strategy engagements, 20+ token design projects, 25+ token listings.
2. Event and community programming (sponsored events, co-hosted side events): DeFimans frequently hosts and co-hosts events with partners (e.g., Tokyo Degen Night, Berachain Evening, GSR side events). Revenue likely derived from sponsorship and partner co-funding, supporting lead generation.
3. Messari Japan operations: Operates the Messari Japan desk (messari.co.jp), localizing Messari research and on-chain analytics for the Japanese market; likely fees/arrangement with Messari as exclusive partner.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

DeFimans is a Tokyo-based web3 consulting firm that provides end-to-end advisory services to blockchain and crypto projects, including tokenomics design, token listing support, DeFi/RWA consulting, GameFi consulting, market expansion between Japan and overseas markets, and NFT/community support. It also operates Messari Japan, a localized crypto research and media platform, giving the firm a content and distribution channel within the Japanese web3 ecosystem.

Product overview

DeFimans (株式会社DeFimans) operates as a single professional services firm offering a unified, end-to-end web3 consulting practice rather than a software product with modules. Its core offering is the DeFimans Web3 Consulting Services, supported by specialized practice areas that are delivered as engagements rather than separately licensed products: Tokenomics Design, Token Finance / Token Listing Support, DeFi / RWA Consulting, GameFi / Web3 Game Consulting, Overseas / Japan Market Expansion Support, NFT / Community / Guild Operations Support, and dApps Development Support. Around these consulting engagements, DeFimans packages tangible deliverables and media assets that function as in-house content products, including Whitepaper / Document Production (e.g., the "トークンを用いた経済圏設計の基本的枠組" whitepaper), the "0から始める web3ビジネス" Book (print and Kindle), DeFimans Mondays (X Space talk sessions), and DeFimans Web3 News & Columns (Messari-translation and web3 news columns). DeFimans also operates the Messari Japan Desk under its exclusive partnership with Messari, Inc., and runs industry/community events such as Institutional Onchain – RWA & Stablecoins, The Capital Summit Tokyo, TOKYO DEGEN NIGHT, and "RWA and IP TOKENIZATION" events that double as client-introduction and thought-leadership platforms for the firm's consulting practice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tokenomics Design

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ business strategy support engagements delivered
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major, flagship and flagship / exclusive.

• HashlockminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Marketing partnership with Hashlock, a blockchain security specialist firm.
• Omakase Inc. (株式会社Omakase)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026DeFimans announced the stock acquisition (acquisition) of 株式会社Omakase, expanding the corporate group.
• Ostium (RWA perpetual DEX)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Partnership for Japan expansion support with Ostium, a decentralized RWA perpetual DEX.
• Hibachi (decentralized perpetual DEX)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partnership for Japan expansion support with Hibachi, a decentralized perpetual DEX.
• Berachain (L1 blockchain)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Strategic partnership announced October 2025. DeFimans has hosted multiple Berachain-related events in Japan including 'Berachain Meeting of the Minds: Tokyo' (Nov 2024), 'AKASAKA AURA Berachain Evening' (Aug 2025), and 'The bEras Tour' (Aug 2024 with KudasaiJP).
• TermMax (fixed-rate DeFi protocol)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Strategic partnership with TermMax, a fixed-rate DeFi protocol, for Japan market activity.
• Next Finance TechminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2025Co-hosted 'Bitcoin Staking & Institutional Custody' event in August 2025.
• Babylon LabsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2025Co-hosted 'Bitcoin Staking Explained by Prof. David' event with Babylon Labs (April 2025), and 'Bitcoin Staking & Institutional Custody' event with Next Finance Tech (August 2025).
• Napier Finance (Napier v2)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025DeFimans appointed as Curator of Napier v2 (DeFi protocol). Earlier (pre-2024) consulting engagement covered AMM logic construction, risk framework design, and GTM strategy.
• BitGomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Partnership with BitGo, a global major crypto custody firm, for Japan market activity and joint event hosting including 'Japan Fintech Week' side events.
• Puffpaw (DePIN nicotine project)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024Marketing partnership with Puffpaw, a DePIN project tackling nicotine countermeasures, to support Japan-focused market entry.
• Xross Road (extra mile Inc.)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Strategic partnership with extra mile Inc., which operates the decentralized IP platform Xross Road.
• Kudasai (KudasaiJP)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024Business expansion partnership with Kudasai, a web3 community expansion specialist; co-hosted 'The bEras Tour' (Aug 2024) and other community events.
• 0G LabsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Partnership with 0G Labs (decentralized AI operating system). Co-hosted 'Road to mainnet roadshow in JAPAN' in January 2025.
• DeSpreadminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 October 2024Business expansion partnership with DeSpread, a web3 consulting firm specializing in Korean market entry, to support cross-border deal flow between Japan and Korea.
• Hedera HashgraphminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Three-way collaboration with SBI VC Trade and Hedera Hashgraph to co-host a webX2024 side event (Aug 29, 2024).
• Eclipse (SVM-based Ethereum L2)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 August 2024Collaboration with Sakaba Labs to support Eclipse's (SVM-utilizing Ethereum L2) Japan market entry.
• SBI GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024DeFimans announced participation in (joining of) the SBI Group, providing access to SBI's enterprise network, capital, and ecosystem. Subsequently co-hosted events with SBI VC Trade and Hedera Hashgraph.
• Yellowstone ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 June 2024Collaboration announced for business development × engineering utilizing one of the industry's largest talent platforms; focused on cross-referral and joint client delivery.
• Tiger ResearchminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 May 2024Partnership with Tiger Research, an Asia web3 market research and marketing advisory firm, for web3 business expansion in Korea and Japan.
• Sakaba LabsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2024Marketing partnership with Sakaba Labs, a specialist group in advanced technologies such as blockchain and generative AI; jointly supported Eclipse's Japan market entry (Aug 2024).
• EveryWorldminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2024Marketing partnership with EveryWorld (a16z-backed); provided real-time translation and PR localization for Japan market entry livestreams and participated in EveryWorld's investment round.
• MARBLEX (Netmarble group)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2024Marketing partnership with MARBLEX, a major Korean game company under Netmarble, for Japan-targeted PR and user-acquisition strategies.
• Messari, Inc.flagship / exclusiveStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Exclusive partnership covering the Japanese market. DeFimans operates Messari Japan (messari.co.jp), localizing Messari research and on-chain analytics, running the secretariat, articles, marketing, and sales in Japan. Messari is described as the world's leading digital asset market intelligence provider.
• Mito Holly-Hock (J-League football club)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Bronze Partner sponsorship contract with J-League football club Mito Holly-Hock for brand visibility.
• DM2C Studio (DMM Group)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Participation in DM2C Studio's (DMM Group subsidiary) private funding round combined with strategic partnership.
• Japan BP (English Debate International Tournament)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2023Title sponsorship of the English Debate International Tournament Japan BP.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Galaxy Digital: Global crypto financial services and investment management firm with a significant advisory practice. Comparable as a much larger incumbent offering web3 strategy and token advisory to institutions.
• Chainalysis: Global blockchain data and advisory firm. Comparable at the broad level of providing institutional-grade web3 advisory, though focused on compliance and on-chain analytics rather than token design.
• HashKey Group: Hong Kong-based, licensed digital asset group with advisory, custody, exchange, and tokenization services. Comparable as a broader Asia crypto services player overlapping with DeFimans on tokenization advisory and institutional onchain work.

Direct peers

• DeSpread: Korea-focused web3 consulting firm specializing in Korean market entry and token projects. Directly comparable to DeFimans as a regional web3 advisory boutique; the two firms even have a formal cross-border partnership (announced October 2024).
• Tiger Research: Asia-focused web3 market research and marketing advisory firm. Comparable as a content-driven, region-specialized web3 consultancy; has a formal partnership with DeFimans for Japan-Korea cross-border expansion (announced May 2024).
• Yellowstone Consulting: Japan-based business development and engineering firm with one of the industry's largest talent platforms. Has a formal collaboration with DeFimans (announced April 2024) and competes for web3 delivery mandates.

Others

• Messari: Leading web3 research and market intelligence provider. Listed as a peer because DeFimans is Messari's exclusive Japan partner, operating the localized research and analytics operations under the Messari Japan desk.
• Kudasai (KudasaiJP): Web3 community expansion specialist. Has a formal business expansion partnership with DeFimans and overlaps on marketing and community-building engagements, though positioned as a community partner rather than a strategy consultancy.

Emerging players

• Sakaba Labs: Japanese specialist group in blockchain and advanced technologies. Partially overlaps with DeFimans on Japan market entry support for overseas protocols (e.g., co-supported Eclipse's Japan launch in August 2024).
• GSR: Global crypto market maker and trading firm with an expanding advisory and venture arm. Comparable as a co-host of DeFimans' institutional events and as a token launch / market structure counterpart.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DeFimans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/defimans

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DeFimans