SBI Clarifies Ripple Stake After XRP Rumors Spread

SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao has rejected circulating social media claims that the firm holds $10 billion worth of XRP tokens.

The rumors gained traction on X following SBI’s acquisition of the Singapore-based exchange Coinhako. Kitao clarified that SBI’s exposure to Ripple is not through direct XRP token holdings, but through a 9% equity stake in Ripple Labs.

Equity Exposure, Not Token Holdings

Kitao stressed that owning equity in Ripple is fundamentally different from holding XRP tokens.

According to his clarification:

• SBI does not hold $10 billion in XRP.
• Its exposure comes from a 9% ownership stake in Ripple Labs.
• The focus is on Ripple’s long-term business expansion, not token price volatility.

He described the stake as a potential “hidden asset,” suggesting that Ripple’s broader ecosystem value may not be fully reflected in private market estimates.

Valuation Implications

Ripple’s private valuation was reportedly around $50 billion following a late-2025 funding round.

At that level, SBI’s 9% stake would represent roughly $4.5 billion on paper, significantly below the $10 billion token rumor but still substantial.

This distinction is critical:

• Equity stake → exposure to company performance and ecosystem growth.
• Token holdings → direct exposure to XRP price fluctuations.

Deepening Institutional Partnership

The clarification reinforces the strategic alignment between SBI and Ripple rather than a speculative trading position.

SBI has previously confirmed:

• Japanese banks are expected to begin using XRP for international payments in 2026.
• XRP is moving toward classification as a regulated financial product in Japan.
• SBI’s 2026 shareholder benefit program will include XRP vouchers as rewards.

The partnership reflects long-term infrastructure integration rather than short-term market positioning.

Structural Takeaway

The rumor conflated corporate equity ownership with token balance sheet exposure.

SBI’s position in Ripple represents institutional backing of a payments network and technology company, not a multi-billion-dollar speculative XRP reserve.

The post SBI Clarifies Ripple Stake After XRP Rumors Spread appeared first on ETHNews.