SBI Holdings, a prominent Japanese internet-based financial conglomerate, has recently addressed allegations concerning its involvement with XRP, the cryptocurrency associated with Ripple Labs. The company refuted claims suggesting it holds $10 billion in XRP tokens, stating that its actual exposure to the Ripple ecosystem stems from a 9% equity stake in Ripple Labs, valued at approximately $4 billion based on recent market assessments.
This clarification comes in response to growing uncertainties about the scale of SBI Holdings’ investments in the cryptocurrency space, specifically regarding XRP reserves. By clearly distinguishing its investment strategy, SBI reaffirms its robust institutional confidence in Ripple, illustrating its commitment through a strategic alliance with the cross-border payments provider.
Concerns about SBI Holdings’ financial relationship with Ripple had surfaced following a post by an anonymous social media user on X, known as Ledger Man. The user highlighted SBI Holdings’ recent expansion into the cryptocurrency market via their acquisition of Coinhako, a leading digital asset platform in Singapore. Shortly thereafter, various users speculated on the purported $10 billion XRP holdings, prompting SBI’s CEO, Yoshitaka Kitao, to intervene to dispel the misinformation.
Kitao emphasized the misunderstanding, clarifying that SBI Holdings’ true financial commitment is represented by its equity stake in Ripple Labs, rather than an extensive direct holding of XRP tokens. “Instead of $10 billion in XRP, it’s actually about 9% of Ripple Labs. This means our hidden asset could be much larger,” he remarked, suggesting that SBI views its position in Ripple as potentially undervalued, particularly in light of anticipated regulatory clarity and ongoing growth for the XRP issuer.
The incident highlights the rapid dissemination of misinformation within the cryptocurrency sector, particularly where distinctions between equity investments and token holdings are concerned.
Furthermore, as the landscape for digital assets evolves, several financial firms are increasingly embracing tokenization. In a notable development, Ripple announced its partnership with Aviva Investors, the global investment management arm of the British insurance provider Aviva plc. This collaboration marks Ripple’s first partnership with a European asset management firm and aims to explore the integration of tokenized traditional funds onto the XRP Ledger.
Both companies have expressed optimism about the venture, with Aviva Investors looking to utilize the XRPL—an open-source, decentralized blockchain—for the issuance and management of tokenized funds. This initiative signifies Aviva’s first foray into tokenized fund structures, with expectations of substantial growth projected by 2026 and beyond.
Commenting on the partnership, Nigel Khakoo, Ripple’s Vice President of Trading and Markets, noted a transformative shift in the tokenization landscape. “Tokenization is shifting from testing to widespread use,” he stated, projecting that the establishment of tokenized fund structures could bring significant technological advancements to the investment industry over the next decade.
