Results Achieved with Introduction of Securities Industry's First Smartphone My Number Account Opening
Woodstock Inc. has reported significant improvements in user convenience four months after becoming the first in the securities industry to implement account opening using smartphone-based My Number cards. Data shows a 70% increase in identity verification completion rates and a 50% reduction in the time required for the process compared to traditional methods.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 16:00
- 🔍 Collected: March 31, 2026 at 09:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 13:02 (1516h 0m after Collected)
Woodstock Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Brian Jehoon Yoon), operator of the U.S. stock investment app "Woodstock" (https://woodstock.co/), introduced support for account opening using smartphone-based My Number cards in October 2025, a first in the Japanese securities industry (*1) (excluding Android devices). Approximately four months have passed since the introduction of this method, which reads electromagnetic records as a substitute for physical cards, and we are now releasing statistical data confirming significant results regarding improved user convenience.
◾️ Significant Improvement in Identity Verification Completion Rate
We offer an identity verification method using smartphone My Number cards and the Public Personal Authentication Service (JPKI) via facial photography. Analysis of data from the past 30 days confirms a substantial improvement in convenience for the method that reads electromagnetic records as a substitute for physical cards (*2).
[Table: Comparison of Metrics]
Metric | Smartphone My Number Method | Traditional JPKI Method (Facial Photo)
Identity Verification Completion Rate | +70% Improvement | Baseline
Required Time (Median) | 2 minutes 40 seconds | 5 minutes 50 seconds
1. Identity Verification Completion Rate Increased by 70%
Comparing the completion rate (conversion rate) of identity verification in the account opening flow, the smartphone My Number method showed an improvement of approximately 70% compared to the traditional JPKI method. The traditional method required multiple steps, such as taking facial photos and scanning IC chips, leading to a certain number of users dropping off mid-process. However, the smartphone My Number method eliminates these cumbersome steps, allowing users to complete account opening smoothly.
2. Required Time Halved from 5 Minutes 50 Seconds to 2 Minutes 40 Seconds
Comparing the median time required for identity verification, the traditional JPKI method took 5 minutes 50 seconds, whereas the smartphone My Number method was completed in 2 minutes 40 seconds—approximately half the time. By omitting the tedious document photography and facial recognition processes, users can now open accounts in less time and without stress.
3. Rapid Increase in My Number Card Registration to Smartphone Wallets
Among our account opening applicants, the percentage of iPhone users who have registered their My Number card has increased from approximately 18% at the time of initial introduction to nearly 40% today (*3). This indicates that the smartphone-based My Number card is steadily permeating society, and our data confirms that the Digital Agency's initiative to integrate My Number cards into smartphones is yielding concrete results. Furthermore, the proportion of users choosing identity verification via smartphone My Number at the time of account opening now exceeds that of the traditional JPKI method, showing that users are actively selecting the more convenient option.
◾️ Aiming for Adoption Across the Securities Industry
We are sharing these results with the Digital Agency and exchanging opinions on the effectiveness of identity verification using smartphone My Number cards. As this data demonstrates, we believe that identity verification using smartphone My Number cards is highly effective in improving user convenience.
Woodstock will continue to promote product development from the user's perspective and contribute to creating an environment where Japanese investors can start investing in U.S. stocks more easily and safely.
◾️ Reference Links
List of businesses and case studies that have started services using electromagnetic records as a substitute for cards (Digital Agency)
[Vol. 134 (Securities) Dated March 27, 2026]
Woodstock Inc. "Introduction of Smartphone My Number Card for Identity Verification in the U.S. Stock Trading App 'Woodstock'"
https://www.digital.go.jp/policies/mynumber/private-business/info
◾️ App Download
Account opening application in as little as 1 minute!
iOS and Android versions
https://woodstock.go.link/eyaXm
【Company Overview】
Company Name: Woodstock Inc.
Representative: Brian Jehoon Yoon
Established: March 3, 2021
Website: https://woodstock.co/
Financial Instruments Intermediary Registration Number: Kanto Local Finance Bureau (Kin-Naka) No. 965
Affiliated Financial Instruments Business Operator: AlpacaJapan Co., Ltd.
Financial Instruments Business Operator Registration Number: Kanto Local Finance Bureau (Kin-Sho) No. 3024
Member Associations: Japan Securities Dealers Association, Japan Investment Advisers Association
(*1) Internal research (as of October 27, 2025)
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000024.000092154.html
(*2) Targeted at iOS users who applied for account opening with us in the past 30 days (as of March 2026)
(*3) Targeted at iOS users who applied for account opening with us between November 2025 and February 2026 (n > 1000)
【Disclaimer】
・Please read the documents provided before concluding a contract when trading financial products such as U.S. stocks.
・Trading U.S. stocks may result in losses due to fluctuations in stock prices, interest rates, exchange rates, or changes in the business or financial condition of the issuers.
・Final investment decisions should be made at your own discretion.
・Use of this service requires opening an account with AlpacaJapan Co., Ltd.
◾️ Significant Improvement in Identity Verification Completion Rate
We offer an identity verification method using smartphone My Number cards and the Public Personal Authentication Service (JPKI) via facial photography. Analysis of data from the past 30 days confirms a substantial improvement in convenience for the method that reads electromagnetic records as a substitute for physical cards (*2).
[Table: Comparison of Metrics]
Metric | Smartphone My Number Method | Traditional JPKI Method (Facial Photo)
Identity Verification Completion Rate | +70% Improvement | Baseline
Required Time (Median) | 2 minutes 40 seconds | 5 minutes 50 seconds
1. Identity Verification Completion Rate Increased by 70%
Comparing the completion rate (conversion rate) of identity verification in the account opening flow, the smartphone My Number method showed an improvement of approximately 70% compared to the traditional JPKI method. The traditional method required multiple steps, such as taking facial photos and scanning IC chips, leading to a certain number of users dropping off mid-process. However, the smartphone My Number method eliminates these cumbersome steps, allowing users to complete account opening smoothly.
2. Required Time Halved from 5 Minutes 50 Seconds to 2 Minutes 40 Seconds
Comparing the median time required for identity verification, the traditional JPKI method took 5 minutes 50 seconds, whereas the smartphone My Number method was completed in 2 minutes 40 seconds—approximately half the time. By omitting the tedious document photography and facial recognition processes, users can now open accounts in less time and without stress.
3. Rapid Increase in My Number Card Registration to Smartphone Wallets
Among our account opening applicants, the percentage of iPhone users who have registered their My Number card has increased from approximately 18% at the time of initial introduction to nearly 40% today (*3). This indicates that the smartphone-based My Number card is steadily permeating society, and our data confirms that the Digital Agency's initiative to integrate My Number cards into smartphones is yielding concrete results. Furthermore, the proportion of users choosing identity verification via smartphone My Number at the time of account opening now exceeds that of the traditional JPKI method, showing that users are actively selecting the more convenient option.
◾️ Aiming for Adoption Across the Securities Industry
We are sharing these results with the Digital Agency and exchanging opinions on the effectiveness of identity verification using smartphone My Number cards. As this data demonstrates, we believe that identity verification using smartphone My Number cards is highly effective in improving user convenience.
Woodstock will continue to promote product development from the user's perspective and contribute to creating an environment where Japanese investors can start investing in U.S. stocks more easily and safely.
◾️ Reference Links
List of businesses and case studies that have started services using electromagnetic records as a substitute for cards (Digital Agency)
[Vol. 134 (Securities) Dated March 27, 2026]
Woodstock Inc. "Introduction of Smartphone My Number Card for Identity Verification in the U.S. Stock Trading App 'Woodstock'"
https://www.digital.go.jp/policies/mynumber/private-business/info
◾️ App Download
Account opening application in as little as 1 minute!
iOS and Android versions
https://woodstock.go.link/eyaXm
【Company Overview】
Company Name: Woodstock Inc.
Representative: Brian Jehoon Yoon
Established: March 3, 2021
Website: https://woodstock.co/
Financial Instruments Intermediary Registration Number: Kanto Local Finance Bureau (Kin-Naka) No. 965
Affiliated Financial Instruments Business Operator: AlpacaJapan Co., Ltd.
Financial Instruments Business Operator Registration Number: Kanto Local Finance Bureau (Kin-Sho) No. 3024
Member Associations: Japan Securities Dealers Association, Japan Investment Advisers Association
(*1) Internal research (as of October 27, 2025)
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000024.000092154.html
(*2) Targeted at iOS users who applied for account opening with us in the past 30 days (as of March 2026)
(*3) Targeted at iOS users who applied for account opening with us between November 2025 and February 2026 (n > 1000)
【Disclaimer】
・Please read the documents provided before concluding a contract when trading financial products such as U.S. stocks.
・Trading U.S. stocks may result in losses due to fluctuations in stock prices, interest rates, exchange rates, or changes in the business or financial condition of the issuers.
・Final investment decisions should be made at your own discretion.
・Use of this service requires opening an account with AlpacaJapan Co., Ltd.