SBI Holdings has pushed back on claims that it accumulated $10 billion worth of XRP, saying its main exposure to Ripple comes through equity rather than token holdings. Kitao said on social media that SBI owns about 9% of Ripple Labs, framing the position as a long-term strategic investment in the company itself.
His remarks were aimed at correcting market speculation around XRP reserves. SBI’s message was clear: the group’s core bet is not a massive XRP stockpile, but a direct stake in Ripple and its broader business trajectory.
Equity stake remains central to SBI’s Ripple strategy
SBI has built several joint ventures with Ripple across Asia in recent years and has backed blockchain-based payment initiatives in the region. That track record helps explain why the firm places greater emphasis on ownership in Ripple Labs than on accumulating large quantities of XRP.
The report said Ripple Labs reached a $40 billion valuation in November 2025 after a $500 million funding round led by Fortress Investment Group and affiliates of Citadel Securities. On that basis, SBI’s roughly 9% stake would be worth about $3.6 billion.
Ripple’s valuation story contrasts with XRP’s recent price move
At XRP Community Day, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said the crypto sector will eventually produce at least one trillion-dollar company and argued that Ripple could be a candidate. He said the company is trying to build products and services that customers choose to pay for while supporting the wider XRP ecosystem.
That corporate ambition has not translated into immediate strength for XRP. At the time of reporting, XRP was down 7.8% over the past 24 hours, trading at $1.47. Ripple leadership has described XRP as an important asset in the company’s development, while also noting that broader crypto market conditions remain a major driver of the token’s performance.