SBI Group has partnered with Visa on a credit card that gives users rewards in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. The crypto side of the product is supported by SBI VC Trade, while Aplus handles the card service and points structure. The setup ties routine card spending directly to digital asset rewards.
The product gives cardholders exposure to major cryptocurrencies without requiring a direct spot purchase. According to the report, BTC, ETH, and XRP rank among the most traded digital assets in Japan. That makes the reward mix closely aligned with local market activity, while also fitting SBI’s broader effort to connect traditional financial services with regulated crypto offerings.
SBI VC Trade and Aplus split the service functions
SBI VC Trade supports the crypto rewards portion of the card, and Aplus, which is part of SBI Shinsei Bank Group, supports the credit card and points framework. The article does not disclose a reward rate, and it does not say whether payouts differ by asset. What is clear is the operating structure: spending happens through a conventional card product, and the reward layer is linked to crypto assets.
That model gives users a way to accumulate digital assets through payment activity rather than direct trading. It also reflects how regulated financial groups in Japan are building crypto access through familiar banking and card channels instead of positioning the product as a trading tool.
Bitbank talks point to broader exchange expansion
The card launch comes as SBI Holdings is also pushing for a larger position in Japan’s crypto exchange market. The report says SBI has opened talks with Bitbank over a capital and business alliance that could lead to Bitbank becoming a consolidated subsidiary. SBI plans to acquire shares after due diligence and internal procedures are completed, while the timing and structure of any transaction remain under discussion.
The article also notes that SBI VC Trade merged with Bitpoint Japan in April 2026, a sign that consolidation among Japanese crypto platforms is accelerating. At the same time, Bitbank has been expanding into crypto-linked payments. Its EPOS Crypto Card lets users settle monthly bills with bitcoin balances and offers 0.5% cashback in crypto. Taken together, these moves show tighter links forming between cards, payments, and exchange services in Japan.