SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao has rejected circulating social media claims that the firm holds $10 billion worth of XRP tokens.
The rumors gained traction on X following SBI’s acquisition of the Singapore-based exchange Coinhako. Kitao clarified that SBI’s exposure to Ripple is not through direct XRP token holdings, but through a 9% equity stake in Ripple Labs.
Not 💲10 bil. in XRP.but around 9% of
Ripple Lab. So our hidden asset could be
much bigger,— 北尾吉孝 (@yoshitaka_kitao) February 15, 2026
Equity Exposure, Not Token Holdings
Kitao stressed that owning equity in Ripple is fundamentally different from holding XRP tokens.
According to his clarification:
- SBI does not hold $10 billion in XRP.
- Its exposure comes from a 9% ownership stake in Ripple Labs.
- The focus is on Ripple’s long-term business expansion, not token price volatility.
He described the stake as a potential “hidden asset,” suggesting that Ripple’s broader ecosystem value may not be fully reflected in private market estimates.
Valuation Implications
Ripple’s private valuation was reportedly around $50 billion following a late-2025 funding round.
At that level, SBI’s 9% stake would represent roughly $4.5 billion on paper, significantly below the $10 billion token rumor but still substantial.
This distinction is critical:
- Equity stake → exposure to company performance and ecosystem growth.
- Token holdings → direct exposure to XRP price fluctuations.
Deepening Institutional Partnership
The clarification reinforces the strategic alignment between SBI and Ripple rather than a speculative trading position.
SBI has previously confirmed:
- Japanese banks are expected to begin using XRP for international payments in 2026.
- XRP is moving toward classification as a regulated financial product in Japan.
- SBI’s 2026 shareholder benefit program will include XRP vouchers as rewards.
The partnership reflects long-term infrastructure integration rather than short-term market positioning.
Structural Takeaway
The rumor conflated corporate equity ownership with token balance sheet exposure.
SBI’s position in Ripple represents institutional backing of a payments network and technology company, not a multi-billion-dollar speculative XRP reserve.
