Ripple’s potential public listing has taken center stage once again, following remarks by Yoshitaka Kitao, the CEO and President of SBI Holdings. His comments have sparked speculation within the $XRP community, particularly around investment strategies as Ripple gears up for a possible IPO.
Kitao made it clear that he is prepared to invest significantly in Ripple when it transitions to a public entity, revealing his intention to commit between approximately $626 million and $1.25 billion. This bold statement was made during a conference in Tokyo, where he emphasized that Ripple needs to go public, outlining plans to invest as much as ¥200 billion if necessary.
The SBI Holdings CEO suggested a timeline for this anticipated listing, predicting that Ripple could go public in around 12 years, which would place a potential IPO around the year 2038. This long-range projection suggests that the company may not be entering the public market cycle anytime soon.
Kitao’s perspective holds weight, considering his long-standing relationship with Ripple. SBI has been one of Ripple’s most steadfast supporters since 2016, having invested in the company and co-founding SBI Ripple Asia, a venture aimed at leveraging Ripple’s technology for cross-border payment solutions in the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, SBI reportedly owns around 9% of Ripple Labs, distinguishing it as one of the firm’s largest outside shareholders.
Over the years, discussions about a Ripple IPO have been frequent, especially following the conclusion of the company’s legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2025. Ripple has diversified its portfolio, branching into areas like custody services, stablecoin infrastructure, and the tokenization of real-world assets. However, despite the excitement surrounding IPO prospects, Ripple’s leadership has been cautious about hastening this transition.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has previously downplayed the urgency of an IPO, asserting that the company does not require external funding to thrive. Similarly, Ripple President Monica Long remarked in early 2026 that the firm intends to remain private, noting that its financial standing allows for continued growth without the need to tap into public markets. This approach aligns with Ripple’s strong performance in the private sector, where it successfully raised $500 million at a valuation of approximately $40 billion in late 2025.
As of now, the trading value of $XRP stands at $1.12, reflecting market conditions amidst ongoing discussions about Ripple’s future direction and strategies.
