In a recent clarification, Yoshitaka Kitao, Chairman of SBI Holdings, confirmed the company’s equity stake in Ripple Labs, addressing ongoing speculation about its exposure to the cryptocurrency XRP. This comes on the heels of comments from Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, who highlighted the potential for Ripple to evolve into a $1 trillion company.
Kitao took the opportunity to refute claims suggesting that SBI directly holds $10 billion in XRP tokens, emphasizing that the firm’s investment lies with Ripple Labs itself, specifically approximately 9% of the company. “Not $10 bil. in XRP but around 9% of Ripple Lab. So our hidden asset could be much bigger,” he stated. He added that this stake’s value is intrinsically linked to Ripple’s total valuation, which has been amplified by the ecosystem Ripple has developed.
SBI has maintained a strategic partnership with Ripple, actively fostering the growth of blockchain-based payment solutions throughout Asia. The collaboration has yielded continuous support for financial infrastructure initiatives and joint ventures. Notably, Ripple’s valuation soared to $40 billion in November 2025 after a significant $500 million funding round, suggesting that SBI’s 9% stake could equate to around $3.6 billion on paper. However, should Ripple achieve its ambitious goal of reaching a $1 trillion valuation, SBI could see this investment’s worth grow substantially.
Garlinghouse recently expressed optimism about the future of crypto firms, stating that one will eventually surpass the $1 trillion mark, positioning them alongside tech giants such as Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, and Microsoft. He expressed confidence in Ripple’s potential, asserting that if the company collaborates successfully with the wider XRP ecosystem, it could very well be that leading entity. “There will be a trillion-dollar crypto company. I don’t doubt that for a second,” Garlinghouse stated during the XRP Community Day on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite these ambitious projections, XRP faces significant market pressure. Recent data indicated a 7.8% drop in the altcoin’s price over a 24-hour period, with trading hovering around $1.47. While Ripple’s strategic efforts focus on expanding the XRP ecosystem, market challenges continue to hinder significant price movements.
Garlinghouse reiterated that Ripple’s mission extends beyond mere corporate growth, noting that the core purpose of the company is to foster success for the XRP ecosystem. He labeled XRP as Ripple’s “north star,” underscoring a commitment to developing products and services that resonate with customers while supporting the broader XRP ecosystem.
As Ripple moves forward amidst fluctuating market conditions, its continued development and partnership strategies may ultimately provide the traction needed for future price appreciation and enhanced adoption in the evolving landscape of digital finance.
