TLDR

• Yoshitaka Kitao said SBI does not hold $10 billion worth of XRP tokens.
• Kitao said SBI owns more than 9% of Ripple Labs through equity.
• Private market estimates have put Ripple’s valuation at more than $50 billion.
• SBI announced a majority stake deal for Singapore crypto exchange Coinhako.

SBI Holdings chief executive Yoshitaka Kitao has rejected claims that the group holds $10 billion in XRP tokens. He addressed the statement in a public reply on social media. The correction came after a post linked SBI’s Asia expansion to a large XRP position.

Kitao said SBI’s exposure is tied to ownership in Ripple Labs, not a direct token stash. He pointed to SBI’s equity stake in Ripple as the main holding. This structure reduces direct daily swings tied to XRP market pricing.

Kitao Corrects XRP Holding Claim and Points to Equity Stake

The discussion started when a social media user praised SBI’s move into Singapore and called it a major XRP holder. Kitao reposted the claim and corrected the details. He stated that SBI does not hold $10 billion in XRP. He also explained that SBI holds a large stake in Ripple Labs itself. Kitao wrote that SBI owns “more than 9%” of Ripple. That makes holding an equity position in a private company.

A token position and an equity stake work in different ways. A token position tracks market prices by the minute and moves with daily trading. An equity stake depends on private valuation benchmarks and deal terms.

Kitao also described the Ripple holding as a “hidden asset” within SBI. He said Ripple’s total valuation includes its ecosystem and its business network. He wrote, “When it comes to Ripple Lab.’s total valuation … that would be enormous.”

Ripple Valuation Estimates and What a 9% Stake Could Mean

Recent private market reports and analyst estimates have placed Ripple’s valuation above $50 billion. Using that figure, a 9% stake would equal about $4.5 billion on paper. That math assumes a straight valuation multiple and no liquidity discount. Kitao suggested the market may not fully reflect Ripple’s broader ecosystem value. 

He linked the value to Ripple’s network of partners and products. He did not provide a specific revised valuation figure. SBI and Ripple have worked together since 2016 through joint ventures and regional projects. Their relationship has included payments and settlement efforts tied to blockchain rails. 

SBI has often promoted Ripple-linked services in Japan and nearby markets. XRP has also faced recent price pressure, based on the market snapshot. It had fallen more than 30% over 30 days. The token traded near $1.60, up about 10% in 24 hours.

Coinhako Deal and Japan Support for Blockchain Settlement Testing

SBI recently announced it is acquiring a majority stake in Coinhako, a regulated crypto exchange in Singapore. Coinhako holds a Major Payment Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. SBI said the deal supports its regional digital asset strategy. The report described this as a corridor between Japan and Southeast Asia. 

It tied the plan to payments and settlement services across markets. The move also comes as more firms seek licensed access points in Singapore. Japan’s finance minister Satsuki Katayama has also spoken about support for testing blockchain-based securities settlement. 

The report said she stated the Financial Services Agency is willing to support demonstrations by major securities firms. The goal is to improve securities trading processes. The report added that the plan may record rights information on a distributed ledger. It also said Katayama noted SBI Group is considering a similar initiative. The report linked these efforts to stablecoins and cross-border settlement options.

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