SBI Holdings has partnered with Visa to roll out two crypto reward credit cards in Japan: the SBI Visa Crypto Card and the SBI Visa Crypto Card Gold. The cards officially launched on May 1 and are designed to let users accumulate digital assets through ordinary consumer spending, bringing crypto exposure closer to daily financial activity.
Monthly point conversion into BTC, ETH, and XRP
Under the new program, cardholders can have reward points automatically converted each month into Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), or XRP. SBI said the conversion process comes with no exchange fee, although users must maintain an SBI VC Trade account in order to receive the crypto rewards. This structure links traditional card usage with a regulated crypto trading account, creating a more seamless bridge between payments and digital assets.
At a press conference, SBI VC Trade President Tomohiko Kondo said the cards could help users build positions in volatile assets such as cryptocurrencies gradually rather than through large one-time purchases. In that sense, the model presents crypto accumulation as an extension of everyday spending behavior rather than a standalone trading decision.
Gold card adds stronger benefits
SBI is offering both a standard and a Gold version of the product. The Gold card comes with higher rewards and additional benefits, while applicants who signed up in May were also eligible for a promotional bonus. The source material did not specify exact reward rates, but the broader product design indicates SBI is positioning crypto incentives as a consumer finance feature rather than a niche add-on.
XRP inclusion stands out in Japan
The inclusion of XRP is especially notable. Japan has long been one of the stronger markets for the token, and SBI has close ties to Ripple, including an equity stake. By placing XRP alongside BTC and ETH in a mainstream card rewards framework, SBI and Visa are aligning the product with local market preferences while reinforcing XRP’s visibility in Japan’s retail financial ecosystem.
The launch also fits into a wider trend of crypto payment initiatives emerging across Japan. As card rewards, exchange accounts, and digital assets become more connected, cryptocurrencies are increasingly being woven into the country’s broader financial infrastructure. Still, the underlying price volatility of these assets remains an important consideration for users evaluating such products.