SBI Holdings is moving to strengthen its position in Japan’s digital asset market with a planned acquisition of crypto exchange Bitbank. The deal, valued at 46.7 billion Japanese yen, or about $289 million, would give SBI full control of Bitbank and create one of the largest crypto exchange groups in Japan.
The acquisition marks another major step in SBI’s wider blockchain strategy. The Japanese financial group has been expanding across crypto trading, stablecoins, tokenized assets, and blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
SBI Acquires Bitbank to Strengthen Crypto Exchange Presence
SBI Holdings announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, SBICAH, will acquire shares from Bitbank CEO Noriyuki Hirosue and other existing shareholders. After that, SBI will subscribe to a third-party share allotment.
Bitbank will also buy back shares held by MIXI and Ceres. Once the process is complete, SBI will hold 100% indirect ownership of Bitbank.
The transaction is expected to close around October 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
Through the acquisition, SBI aims to expand its regulated crypto exchange business in Japan. The move would also give the company a larger customer base and a stronger platform for future digital asset products.
Deal Could Create Japan’s Largest Crypto Exchange Group
SBI said that combining Bitbank with SBI VC Trade would give the group about 1.1 trillion yen in assets under custody. The combined business would also have around 2.92 million crypto accounts, based on figures from the end of April.
According to SBI, the combined exchange business would rank first among Japanese crypto exchanges by assets under custody. It would also become one of the country’s largest platforms by account numbers.
Bitbank is known as one of Japan’s active crypto trading platforms. Its trading activity is led by the BTC/JPY pair, followed by XRP/JPY and ETH/JPY.
SBI Builds a Broader Digital Asset Ecosystem
The Bitbank deal fits into SBI’s larger push into blockchain and digital finance. The group has been investing in infrastructure for crypto trading, stablecoins, tokenized securities, and on-chain financial markets.
Earlier this year, SBI and Startale Group introduced Strium, a layer-1 blockchain designed to support tokenized equities and real-world asset trading. The project focuses on 24/7 settlement and blockchain-based capital market infrastructure.
SBI has also been active in Japan’s stablecoin sector. The group recently launched JPYSC, a yen-pegged stablecoin issued by SBI Shinsei Trust Bank and distributed by SBI VC Trade.
In addition, SBI and Ripple launched Ripple USD, also known as RLUSD, in Japan through SBI VC Trade. The dollar-backed stablecoin became available to both institutional and retail customers after approval under Japan’s regulatory framework for foreign-issued stablecoins.
Why the Bitbank Acquisition Matters
The acquisition could give SBI a stronger position as Japan’s crypto market continues to mature. By adding Bitbank to its existing SBI VC Trade platform, the company can increase scale, improve liquidity, and reach more users across Japan.
The deal also supports SBI’s broader plan to connect crypto exchanges with stablecoin services, tokenized assets, and blockchain settlement tools.
For Japan’s digital asset sector, the acquisition shows how major financial institutions are moving deeper into regulated crypto infrastructure. Instead of treating crypto as a separate market, traditional financial groups are increasingly building full digital asset ecosystems.
Japan’s Crypto Market Continues to Attract Institutional Players
Japan has developed one of the more regulated crypto markets in Asia. Its framework covers crypto exchanges, custody, token listings, and stablecoin issuance.
This regulatory structure has made Japan an important market for financial firms exploring blockchain adoption. With stablecoins, tokenized bonds, and real-world asset projects gaining momentum, regulated exchange platforms could become important distribution channels for new financial products.
SBI’s planned acquisition of Bitbank reflects that shift. The company is not only buying a crypto exchange. It is building a larger foundation for digital asset services across trading, payments, settlement, and tokenized markets.
Conclusion
SBI Holdings’ $289 million plan to acquire Bitbank could reshape Japan’s crypto exchange landscape. If approved, the deal would give SBI full control of Bitbank and create one of the country’s largest crypto exchange groups.
The acquisition also strengthens SBI’s long-term blockchain strategy. With growing activity in stablecoins, tokenized assets, and on-chain finance, SBI is positioning itself as a major player in Japan’s next phase of digital asset adoption.
