Yoshitaka Kitao, CEO of SBI Holdings—Japan's financial giant and Ripple's largest external shareholder—has made a bold prediction: "XRP will be very expensive." The statement, amplified by crypto user Stellar Rippler, quickly circulated across the community, especially as it comes from a top executive with direct institutional ties to Ripple.
Kitao: Court Ruling Within Weeks, Positive Outcome Could Boost XRP
Kitao pointed to the ongoing legal uncertainty surrounding Ripple, suggesting a favorable court decision could arrive within weeks. "If the conclusion is positive, I think it will be great," he said, implying a surge in XRP's value. His remarks echo earlier comments by Ripple CTO David Schwartz but carry heavier weight due to SBI's position as both a strategic partner and major shareholder.
A Decade of Deep Ties: From Cross-Border Payments to Blockchain Bonds
SBI's relationship with Ripple started in 2016 through SBI Ripple Asia, a joint venture building cross-border payment corridors in Japan, South Korea, India, and the Philippines—all operational using XRP as a settlement asset. SBI remains Ripple's largest external shareholder, making its ongoing endorsement a cornerstone of XRP's narrative.
In February 2026, SBI issued a 10 billion yen ($64 million) blockchain bond that rewards investors with XRP, marking a first for a major Japanese financial institution. Separately, the firm plans to introduce Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin via its licensed exchange in Japan, further integrating XRP into traditional finance.
Developer Ecosystem Expansion: XRP Ledger Gains Asian Web3 Alliance Support
SBI Ripple Asia has partnered with the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan to support startups building financial tools on the XRP Ledger. The initiative aims to attract Asian developers and accelerate real-world use cases in tokenization and payments. While XRP's price remains tied to broader market swings and the SEC lawsuit outcome, Kitao's institutional vote of confidence adds a fresh bullish catalyst.