SBI Holdings CEO Denies $10B XRP Holdings

In Brief

• SBI Holdings’ CEO clarified the company does not hold $10 billion in XRP tokens.
• SBI holds approximately 9 percent of Ripple Labs’ equity, aligning its exposure with corporate growth.
• The clarification highlights Ripple’s ongoing institutional adoption narrative.

SBI Holdings’ Chairman and CEO Yoshitaka Kitao publicly rejected circulating claims that the Japanese financial group holds approximately $10 billion in XRP tokens, clarifying that the company does not own those tokens directly and instead holds an equity stake in Ripple Labs.

Kitao emphasized that SBI’s exposure is tied to corporate ownership rather than speculative token holdings. Indeed, he mentions the difference between equity in a blockchain company and holding the crypto itself.

SBI’s Clarification: Equity, Not Direct XRP Holdings

Yoshitaka Kitao stated that the firm doesn’t hold $10 billion worth of XRP tokens. Instead, SBI’s crypto-related exposure stems from its equity ownership in Ripple Labs.

Kitao clarified that the oft-cited $10 billion figure was a misrepresentation of the company’s position. SBI’s stake in Ripple Labs amounts to approximately 9 percent.

This reflects a strategic corporate investment and not direct token accumulation.

In his public statement, Kitao also described SBI’s stake as a “hidden asset” whose value may not be fully reflected on SBI’s immediate balance sheet.

The clarification is significant for institutional and retail observers. Indeed, reports of large token holdings often influence market sentiment and regulatory interpretation.

XRP Price Today

Ripple’s Ongoing Institutional Trajectory

Ripple Labs has steadily expanded its footprint in enterprise blockchain settlement and institutional crypto infrastructure.

Positioning XRP and its technology stack as tools for cross-border liquidity and compliance-friendly payments.

Moreover, SBI has been a long-standing strategic partner of Ripple. Supporting joint ventures like SBI Ripple Asia and aligning capital and operational resources to advance real-world adoption.

SBI’s equity position in Ripple Labs places it among the largest external shareholders of the firm, reflecting confidence not just in token price action but in Ripple’s broader institutional strategy.

Furthermore, Ripple’s development of regulated products, stablecoin rails, and enterprise settlement interfaces has attracted interest from banks and financial institutions.

Across markets, Ripple’s positioning toward institutional clients and regulated participants contrasts with pure speculative narratives and underscores its emphasis on compliance and settlement utility.

Additionally, SBI’s clarification and continued engagement highlights the evolving intersection of traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure adoption.