Ripple’s connection with Japan is once again grabbing attention, and this time, it’s not just about partnerships but bold expectations around XRP’s future. As institutional ties grow stronger, fresh comments from market voices are adding to the conversation, especially with Japan playing a central role in Ripple’s expansion strategy.
Crypto user, Stellar Rippler, spotlighted a strong statement coming from SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao, who said, “XRP will be very expensive.”
He didn’t stop there. Kitao also pointed toward the ongoing legal uncertainty, suggesting that a favorable court decision for Ripple could have a major impact on XRP’s value.
“It seems that he is thinking that the court’s decision will be made in a few weeks. If the decision is made and Ripple’s XRP is a coin, I think it will be a big price… If the conclusion is positive, I think it will be great.”
This adds weight to earlier comments from David Schwartz, but coming from SBI’s top executive, the message carries stronger institutional backing.
SBI’s relationship with Ripple goes back to 2016 through SBI Ripple Asia, where both have worked on cross-border payment solutions across Japan, South Korea, India, and the Philippines. These aren’t just plans on paper but real payment corridors using XRP.
SBI also remains Ripple’s largest external shareholder, making its continued support a key factor in XRP’s broader narrative.
Recent developments show this partnership is still expanding. In February 2026, SBI launched a 10 billion yen (around $64 million) blockchain bond that rewards investors with XRP, marking a first for a major Japanese financial institution.
At the same time, plans are in place to introduce Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin in Japan via SBI’s licensed exchange. On the development side, SBI Ripple Asia has teamed up with the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan to support startups building financial tools on the XRP Ledger.
CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.
Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.
1. Bitcoin (BTC) Market Cap: ~$1.23 trillionPrice: ~$61,685 Bitcoin still commands the room in any…
The Memecore price didn’t just fall last week. It fell through floors traders assumed were…
The race between Solana and XRP has been going on for a long time. Today,…
The XPL price didn't wait around for a second invitation. The token surged more than…
The tokenized stocks market finally got its newest entrant, and Robinhood wasted no time calling…
The Indian government, which collected nearly ₹18.38 lakh crore (around $193.5 billion) in tax revenue…
