On February 24, Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings announced that it will issue a 10 billion yen unsecured digital bond, “SBI START Bond,” on March 24. The bond will be open for retail investors in Japan, with a minimum investment threshold of just 10,000 yen. The issuance size is approximately $64.6 million, comparable to recent large-scale digital bond issuances in Japan, and is seen as an important step for Japan’s digital securities market targeting individual investors.
In product design, SBI introduced a crypto asset incentive mechanism, allowing investors to receive XRP token rewards. According to the plan, eligible domestic Japanese investors must register an account with SBI VC Trade to receive the rewards. The XRP reward program will be distributed in May 2026, while the bonds will pay partial interest in installments from 2027 to 2029. Industry experts believe this move will help expand digital asset account registrations and increase retail investors’ participation in blockchain financial products.
The bond is named after the START platform, which is affiliated with the Osaka Digital Exchange, similar to an alternative trading system, focusing on digital securities circulation. Although the platform’s trading volume is still in the early stages, SBI’s issuance will be the first digital bond product listed on this platform, serving as a demonstration. Notably, the bond will not be registered with Japan’s central securities depository JASDEC, and SBI Securities will act as the sole underwriter.
SBI has had a partnership with Ripple for over a decade and has been distributing some dividends in XRP since 2019. The combination of digital bonds with crypto asset rewards demonstrates that Japan’s digital bond issuance, blockchain asset incentive mechanisms, and retail-oriented tokenized financial products are accelerating their integration. As Japan’s regulatory framework matures, innovative structures combining digital bonds and crypto assets may set a new example for Asian capital markets.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Analyst Says the Lower XRP Goes the More Bullish the Breakout as Experts Remain Unsure About XRP Recovery
Analyst says the lower XRP goes the more bullish the breakout.
Other experts remain unsure about an XRP recovery.
Can the price of XRP set a new ATH this year?
The crypto market sees renewed hope and improved anticipation of a bullish recovery rally as the price of BTC just reclaimed pri
CryptoNewsLand58m ago
SBI Ripple Asia launches an XRPL token issuance platform, advancing the implementation of compliant blockchain finance
SBI Ripple Asia announced that its token issuance platform based on the XRP Ledger has officially launched, marking an important application of blockchain in compliant financial services. The platform enables businesses to manage tokens directly on-chain and complies with regulatory requirements, improving payment and loyalty mechanisms. In the future, SBI will also optimize cross-border payments between Japan and Korea, driving XRPL’s adoption in the real economy.
GateNews2h ago
Ripple issues a $330k stablecoin forecast, while signals of institutionalization emerge at the XRP Tokyo conference
Ripple expects on-chain stablecoin trading volume to reach $330k at the Tokyo XRP Conference, emphasizing that stablecoins are evolving from auxiliary tools into liquidity infrastructure. As a bridge connecting traditional and digital finance, Ripple is helping bring stablecoins such as RLUSD to market and accelerating institutional adoption. With Japan’s regulatory environment being clear, it plays a key role in promoting the growth of the XRP ecosystem. If stablecoins achieve high trading volumes, it will change the way capital flows and how cross-border payments operate; XRP’s future price action will depend on institutional adoption and the growth of real trading demand.
GateNews5h ago
XRP zooms 5% on bitcoin strength, but trend reversal still unconfirmed
XRP has broken above resistance at $1.37, indicating a potential tactical breakout, though the overall trend remains bearish. Key technical signals and strong volume suggest some accumulation, but market conviction is mixed. Traders should monitor price levels around $1.37 and aim for a significant test at $1.40-$1.42.
CoinDesk8h ago
Ripple report: 8 African countries advance crypto regulation, with South Africa leading the stablecoin space
Ripple reports that about 8 countries in Africa have established cryptocurrency regulatory frameworks, driving high adoption rates due to demand for remittances and inadequate financial infrastructure. Regulation is more mature in South Africa and Mauritius, while Nigeria and Kenya are still developing. Stablecoins are gradually shifting from speculation to business use, enhancing the potential for integrating financial systems.
MarketWhisper10h ago
XRP Leads $224 Million Weekly Inflows as Ethereum Lags and Bitcoin Sentiment Remains Mixed
Global digital asset investment products recorded $224 million in net inflows for the week ending April 3, 2026, following a $414 million outflow the prior week, with XRP dominating at $119.6 million while Ethereum saw $52.8 million in outflows and Bitcoin posted $107.3 million in net inflows amid polarized investor sentiment.
CryptopulseElite10h ago
