Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Holdings has valued its Ripple stake at $41.2 billion, or 6.6 trillion yen at current exchange rates. The claim comes alongside the company’s strongest first-quarter earnings report in its history.
During the quarter, SBI posted revenue of 571 billion yen with pre-tax profits of 225.8 billion yen. Its net profit jumped 149.9% year-on-year to 148.1 billion yen. This surge pushed its return on equity to 29% - exceeding its medium-term target of 15%.
Maintaining Position Amid the Slump
The $41.2 billion valuation for the Ripple stake is purely strategic and does not represent realized cash. This figure is maintained even as the XRP token price has faced recent declines. For SBI, the holding is a long-term strategic investment rather than a speculative position, continuing a partnership established in 2016 through SBI Ripple Asia for cross-border payments.
However, the group’s crypto division painted a different picture. SBI’s crypto asset segment recorded a pre-tax loss of 1.4 billion yen. Across this business umbrella, only market maker B2C2 managed to remain profitable. SBI management views the current crypto business environment as sluggish, seemingly in a holding pattern awaiting clarity on whether the CLARITY Act bill will be passed.
To offset stagnation in the retail sector, SBI is pushing forward with its planned acquisition of exchange Bitbank. Its goal is clear: capturing 3 million new crypto users with assets under management reaching 870 billion yen.
Where Is Their Focus Shifting?
As retail crypto remains sluggish, SBI restructured its subsidiary, SBI Security Solutions, into a new entity named SBI Digital Practice Co. Ltd. Its primary focus is now squarely on Canton Network - an institutional blockchain designed specifically for regulated financial markets. The network already includes major participants such as BlackRock, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and more than 50 other companies.
In direct investments, the company established SBI Crypto Fund I under its SBI Financial Services division. Joined by Japanese game developer Gumi and Daiwa Securities Group as one of its investors, the entity holds an initial capital of 3 billion yen. Set to begin operations on August 1, 2026, the capital will be allocated primarily toward purchasing Bitcoin and various listed altcoins, although specific details regarding Daiwa’s allocation share were not publicly disclosed.
Balancing losses in the crypto division with fresh investment moves highlights a clear pattern. While the market remains quiet awaiting regulatory clarity, legacy players are not standing still - they are shifting their sights from retail players to heavyweight institutional infrastructure.
Sourced from crypto.news.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
