SBI Brings Crypto Rewards Into Everyday Card Spending
Japan’s SBI Group has introduced a new crypto-linked credit card program with Visa, aiming to connect routine consumer spending with digital asset accumulation. The company announced the launch of the SBI Visa Crypto Card and the SBI Visa Crypto Card Gold, two cards that allow users to convert spending points into a selected cryptocurrency.
At the time of application, cardholders must choose one asset from bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH), or XRP. Once selected, points earned through card usage are automatically converted into that chosen asset on a monthly basis. According to the announcement, the conversion is carried out without exchange fees, making the rewards structure more straightforward for users who want to build crypto holdings through everyday purchases.
To receive these rewards, users need an account with SBI’s crypto asset service. Existing account holders, however, do not need to open a separate account, which lowers the friction for current SBI customers already active in digital assets.
How the Rewards Structure Works
The two cards differ in terms of standard reward rates, fees, and extra benefits. Under normal conditions, the standard card offers rewards of up to 0.8%, while the Gold card offers up to 1.3%. These baseline rates are separate from the launch promotion and define the longer-term value proposition once the initial campaign ends.
The standard card is free in its first year. After that, it carries an annual fee of ¥1,650, though the fee is waived for users who spend at least ¥100,000 annually. The Gold version is also free for the first year, and then costs ¥6,600 per year. SBI says Gold card users who spend at least ¥2 million annually will receive crypto rewards equal to the amount of the annual fee, effectively offsetting the cost for high-volume users.
Beyond rewards, both cards come with theft and loss protection. The Gold card adds a broader benefits package, including travel accident insurance, shopping protection, and airport lounge access, with lounge usage capped at three times per year.
Launch Campaign Offers Up to 10% Rewards
To drive adoption, SBI is running a limited-time launch campaign that significantly boosts reward levels above the standard rates. The promotion applies to users who submit applications between May 1 and May 31, 2026, with qualifying spending counted through Aug. 5.
During the campaign period, standard card users can receive up to 2.5% in rewards, subject to a cap of 1,500 points. Gold card users can receive up to 10%, with a cap of 5,000 points. These promotional rates represent a sharp increase over the ordinary earning structure and are clearly designed to attract early adopters.
The campaign highlights SBI’s strategy of using familiar consumer finance products to encourage broader exposure to crypto assets. Rather than requiring users to make direct market purchases, the card turns spending activity into an automated accumulation tool tied to three major digital assets.
Linking Payments, Savings, and Investment Activity
The new card program is not limited to retail spending. SBI also said the cards integrate with SBI Securities’ credit card-based investment trust accumulation service. The company described this as a first in Japan for earning cryptocurrency through credit card investment trust savings.
This means users may be able to accumulate crypto not only through ordinary purchases, but also alongside recurring investment contributions. The arrangement expands the product’s relevance beyond payments and into the broader personal finance stack, combining spending, saving, and investment behavior under one ecosystem.
That broader design is notable because it reflects a larger shift in financial services: crypto is increasingly being positioned not just as a speculative asset class, but as a rewards layer inside regulated consumer products. By embedding BTC, ETH, and XRP accumulation into card usage, SBI is effectively lowering the barriers for mainstream customers who may be curious about digital assets but are not yet active traders.
A Regulated Approach to Mainstream Crypto Exposure
SBI’s move is especially significant in the Japanese market, where financial and crypto services tend to operate within a relatively structured regulatory environment. Instead of offering a broad menu of tokens, the company limited the reward choices to BTC, ETH, and XRP, three of the most recognized digital assets among retail users. That narrower selection may help simplify the customer experience while aligning the product with better-known assets.
The automatic monthly conversion model also reduces complexity. Users do not need to manually exchange points or place separate buy orders, and the no-fee conversion claim adds to the appeal for those who prioritize convenience. For existing SBI customers, the new cards could deepen engagement across multiple business lines, including banking, securities, payments, and crypto services.
In practical terms, the SBI-Visa launch represents another example of how traditional financial institutions are experimenting with compliant, consumer-friendly crypto products. The card structure allows digital asset exposure to be built gradually through existing spending habits rather than through active portfolio management.
Whether the product gains broad traction will likely depend on user interest after the promotional period ends, especially when reward rates revert closer to their standard levels. Still, the initial offer of up to 10% back for Gold users gives the launch substantial marketing power and sets a high-profile benchmark for crypto rewards cards in Japan.
For now, the new SBI Visa Crypto Card signals a clear direction: regulated financial groups are continuing to test ways of integrating digital assets into everyday financial behavior, and payment cards remain one of the most accessible gateways for doing so.