SBI Group, one of Japan’s largest financial conglomerates, has launched new Visa-branded crypto rewards cards designed to turn everyday spending into digital asset accumulation. The newly introduced SBI Visa Crypto Card and its Gold version allow users to choose bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH), or XRP when applying, with spending points automatically converted into the selected asset on a monthly basis.
The product is positioned as a bridge between routine consumer payments and crypto ownership. Rather than requiring users to manually redeem points or execute trades, SBI says the earned points are automatically exchanged into the chosen cryptocurrency without exchange fees. To receive the rewards, cardholders must maintain an account with SBI’s crypto asset service, although existing users do not need to open a new account.
A Payments Product Built Around Automatic Crypto Accumulation
The core appeal of the cards lies in simplicity. Applicants select only one reward asset at the time of sign-up, choosing from BTC, ETH, or XRP, and the system then converts accumulated spending points into that asset each month. This structure gives users a fixed accumulation path tied directly to their card activity, rather than a flexible points marketplace or rotating category model.
SBI’s announcement suggests that the company is aiming to integrate crypto into familiar financial behavior instead of treating it as a separate speculative product. By embedding digital asset rewards into an ordinary Visa card, SBI is effectively lowering the friction for users who want passive exposure to crypto through everyday purchases.
The card program also extends beyond simple retail spending. SBI said the cards can be used alongside SBI Securities’ credit card-based investment trust accumulation service. In practical terms, that means users may be able to build crypto holdings while also making recurring investment contributions, further linking spending, saving, and investing within SBI’s broader financial ecosystem.
Standard and Gold Versions Offer Different Economics
The two card tiers differ in reward rates, fees, and bundled benefits. Under normal conditions, the standard card offers rewards of up to 0.8%, while the Gold card offers up to 1.3%. Those rates are separate from the temporary launch promotion and represent the base earning structure after the campaign period.
On the fee side, both cards are free in the first year. After that, the standard version carries an annual fee of ¥1,650, though the fee is waived if annual spending reaches ¥100,000. The Gold version costs ¥6,600 per year after the initial free year. SBI also said that Gold users who spend at least ¥2 million annually will receive crypto rewards equal to the annual fee, effectively offsetting that cost through the rewards structure.
In terms of non-crypto benefits, both cards include theft and loss protection. The Gold card adds travel accident insurance, shopping protection, and airport lounge access, with lounge usage capped at three times per year. These features are part of the card package itself and are not dependent on the temporary promotional campaign.
Launch Campaign Pushes Rewards as High as 10%
The most eye-catching feature of the rollout is a limited-time promotional offer that significantly boosts reward rates above normal levels. The campaign applies to users who submit applications between May 1 and May 31, 2026, with eligible spending counted through Aug. 5.
During the campaign window, standard cardholders can receive rewards of up to 2.5%, capped at 1,500 points. Gold cardholders can receive rewards of up to 10%, capped at 5,000 points. These limits indicate that while the promotional rates are substantially more generous than the standard earning model, the upside is bounded by point ceilings for each card tier.
The campaign structure appears designed to drive early adoption by making the product more compelling during launch. A headline reward rate of 10% is unusually high for a mainstream card product, even with caps applied, and could help SBI attract attention from both existing crypto users and traditional consumers curious about digital assets.
SBI’s Broader Strategy in Digital Assets
The card launch also fits into SBI’s broader push to connect digital assets with regulated financial services in Japan. The company has already built operations spanning brokerage, banking, payments, and crypto services, and this new rewards card appears to deepen that integration. Instead of presenting crypto as an isolated trading experience, SBI is embedding it into recurring financial behavior such as card payments and investment contributions.
That approach may be particularly relevant in Japan, where financial products tied to crypto often face higher regulatory and operational expectations than in less structured markets. By launching the program through a major financial group and using the Visa network, SBI is offering a model that combines familiar payment infrastructure with controlled access to digital asset rewards.
The announcement also came alongside mention of another milestone in SBI’s crypto operations: SBI VC Trade recently launched what was described as Japan’s first licensed USDC lending service. While that service is separate from the card program, it reinforces the broader picture of SBI expanding its regulated digital asset offerings across multiple categories.
Why the Launch Matters
Crypto rewards cards are not a new idea globally, but SBI’s entry is notable because of the company’s scale, regulatory position, and ability to connect payments with custody and investment services under one umbrella. In many markets, users need to combine services from multiple providers to spend, invest, and accumulate crypto efficiently. SBI appears to be pursuing a more integrated model.
For consumers, the practical value will likely depend on three factors: how attractive the post-promotion reward rates remain, whether users are comfortable locking in a single crypto choice at application, and how much they value the supporting card benefits relative to annual fees. For Gold users in particular, the economics may look more attractive for those with high annual spending, especially because the annual fee can be effectively offset once spending crosses the stated threshold.
More broadly, the launch reflects a continuing trend in the digital asset industry: moving crypto away from purely trading-led adoption and into routine consumer finance. If the program gains traction, it could serve as a template for how large financial institutions in regulated markets introduce crypto exposure through everyday payment behavior rather than direct exchange activity alone.