SBI Holdings Launches 10 Billion Yen Blockchain Bond With XRP Rewards

Gate News message, April 17 — SBI Holdings, a major Japanese financial conglomerate, has introduced SBI START Bonds, a blockchain-based bond program valued at 10 billion yen and designed specifically for retail investors. The initiative integrates traditional fixed-income features with digital asset incentives, offering XRP token rewards alongside interest payments. Bonds are issued and managed entirely on-chain through the ibet for Fin platform, developed by BOOSTRY.

The bonds carry a three-year maturity period with an indicative annual interest rate of 1.85% to 2.45%, with semiannual interest payments. Retail investors and resident companies must invest a minimum of 100,000 yen and maintain an account with SBI VC Trade. For every 100,000 yen invested, participants receive 200 yen worth of XRP as rewards, distributed at bond issuance and during each interest payment cycle through 2029. Secondary trading is expected to commence on March 25 via the Osaka Digital Exchange’s START trading platform.

The move reflects SBI Holdings’ longstanding partnership with Ripple, which began in 2016 and has expanded across multiple blockchain initiatives. The company maintains an estimated 9% equity stake in Ripple Labs and has supported XRP-based remittance services between Japan and the Philippines. SBI has also collaborated with Circle on USDC distribution in Japan and with Ripple on RLUSD facilitation, demonstrating its commitment to integrating digital assets into regulated financial environments.