SBI Holdings Rejects $10B XRP Claim, Clarifies 9% Ripple Equity

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-02-16Last updated on 2026-02-16

Abstract

SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao clarified that the company does not hold $10 billion in XRP tokens, refuting a recent claim. Instead, SBI owns more than 9% equity in Ripple Labs, estimated to be worth around $3.6 billion. Kitao emphasized that this stake provides strategic value and reduces exposure to XRP's price volatility, calling it a "hidden asset." He also confirmed SBI's recent acquisition of a majority stake in regulated crypto exchange Coinhako to strengthen its position in Asia, potentially supporting Ripple's ecosystem. Meanwhile, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse expressed confidence in Ripple becoming a trillion-dollar company, despite XRP's recent price decline of over 6% in 24 hours, trading at $1.48.

Yoshitaka Kitao, CEO of SBI Holdings, put an end to the discussion and clarified that the company does not hold $10 billion in $XRP tokens, but it owns a massive equity stake in Ripple Labs itself.​

As the debate started on February 15 from the user named @strivex_, who mentioned, “SBI, a major partner of Ripple and holder of $10 billion in #XRP.” In response, the CEO of SBI Holdings explained that Ripple owns about 9% of Ripple Labs rather than directly holding $10 billion in XRP.

Since equity in Ripple Labs provides the company with strategic impact and value growth without having to risk price volatility from holding crypto XRP, as he mentioned, “So our hidden asset could be much bigger.”

​Then, in a follow-up tweet, Kitao mentioned, “when it comes to Ripple Labs’ total valuation, which obviously includes its ecosystem that Ripple has created, that would be enormous. SBI owns more than 9 % of that much,” when calculated, 9% stake in Ripple Labs would be worth around $3.6 billion.

​Also, Kitao confirmed that SBI Holdings had acquired a majority stake in Coinhako, a regulated cryptocurrency exchange, on February 13, which is part of its strategy to strengthen its position in the Asian crypto market, which may support Ripple’s ecosystem by providing a platform for XRP trading and adoption.

Ripple’s Long-Term Vision

Previously, on February 12, during the XRP Community Day on X, Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple labs said, There WILL be a Trillion Dollar Crypto company and I don’t have any doubt that Ripple has that opportunity. But the target goes beyond corporate growth. He stated, “Ripple’s reason for existence is driving success around XRP and the XRP ecosystem.”​

As Ripple continues to focus on XRP, where the present market conditions are showing a persistent downtrend, as of writing, XRP is down over 6% in the last 24 hours and is trading at $1.48, with a monthly down of about 28%, amid wider crypto market weakness.

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Related Questions

QWhat did SBI Holdings CEO clarify regarding the company's holdings in XRP and Ripple Labs?

AYoshitaka Kitao clarified that SBI Holdings does not hold $10 billion in XRP tokens but owns a 9% equity stake in Ripple Labs.

QHow much is SBI Holdings' 9% stake in Ripple Labs estimated to be worth?

AThe 9% stake in Ripple Labs is estimated to be worth around $3.6 billion.

QWhat strategic advantage does SBI Holdings gain by holding equity in Ripple Labs instead of XRP?

AEquity in Ripple Labs provides strategic impact and value growth without exposure to the price volatility of holding cryptocurrency like XRP.

QWhat recent acquisition did SBI Holdings make to strengthen its position in the Asian crypto market?

ASBI Holdings acquired a majority stake in Coinhako, a regulated cryptocurrency exchange, on February 13.

QWhat did Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse state about Ripple's future during the XRP Community Day?

ABrad Garlinghouse stated that he believes there will be a trillion-dollar crypto company and that Ripple has the opportunity to achieve this, emphasizing Ripple's reason for existence is driving success around XRP and its ecosystem.

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What is XRP 2.0

XRP 2.0: A New Frontier in the Cryptocurrency Landscape Introduction to XRP 2.0 In the ever-evolving realm of cryptocurrency, new projects continuously emerge, vying for attention and adoption. One such promising initiative is XRP 2.0, a novel cryptocurrency project designed to leverage advanced blockchain technology and robust encryption methodologies. While the name draws parallels with Ripple’s XRP, it’s crucial to note that XRP 2.0 operates independently, focusing on enhancing transaction security, privacy, and scalability. As the digital financial landscape increasingly embraces decentralized solutions, XRP 2.0 aims to contribute meaningfully to web3 and the overall expansion of crypto projects. What is XRP 2.0? At its core, XRP 2.0 is a cryptocurrency project that aims to create a secure and decentralized digital currency ecosystem. Its foundational technology integrates sophisticated blockchain principles with cutting-edge encryption techniques. The overarching goal of XRP 2.0 is to establish itself as a reliable and efficient platform enabling swift transaction execution while prioritizing enhanced privacy protections for its users. The project is promoted as a solution to many limitations faced by existing cryptocurrencies, proposing a system that can handle a higher volume of transactions with improved speed and privacy. This versatility positions XRP 2.0 as a significant contender in a marketplace riddled with various digital currencies. Who is the Creator of XRP 2.0? The identity of the creator behind XRP 2.0 has been flagged as ‘Wilbur.’ However, comprehensive details regarding Wilbur or their associated entity remain elusive. The anonymity of many cryptocurrency creators is not an uncommon phenomenon in the industry, often designed to maintain a degree of privacy and security. Who are the Investors of XRP 2.0? As of now, specific information related to the investment foundations or organizations supporting XRP 2.0 is not publicly available. In the cryptocurrency sector, the backing by reputed investors can significantly influence a project's credibility and success, yet the transparency regarding the financial supporters of XRP 2.0 has not been established. How Does XRP 2.0 Work? XRP 2.0 stands out by employing a combination of blockchain technology and advanced encryption algorithms that ensures secure and decentralized transactions. Its innovative structure includes unique features designed to foster user engagement and broaden functionalities beyond conventional cryptocurrency transactions. Among these features, XRP 2.0 incorporates AI-powered capabilities, such as text-to-image and text-to-speech functionalities. These additions are designed to enhance the interactive experience for users, promoting broader applicability across various sectors. By bridging technological advancements with user-centered design, XRP 2.0 aims to capture the attention of a diverse range of individuals and enterprises looking to integrate cryptocurrency solutions into their operational frameworks. Timeline of XRP 2.0 Understanding XRP 2.0 requires examining the milestones that have defined its journey thus far: July 23, 2023: XRP 2.0 is introduced as a novel cryptocurrency project, aiming to revolutionize secure and decentralized transaction capabilities in the blockchain domain. September 8, 2023: The launching of another project, XRP20, occurs, marking the emergence of an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain that remains unrelated to XRP 2.0. November 13, 2023: The XRP Ledger undergoes a significant update with the release of rippled server software version 2.0.0. It is essential to note that this development is disconnected from the XRP 2.0 cryptocurrency project. Key Points About XRP 2.0 To distill the essence of XRP 2.0, several critical factors emerge: Unique Features: The inclusion of features like AI-powered text-to-image and text-to-speech further diversifies the potential applications of XRP 2.0. Blockchain Technology: The framework utilizes advanced blockchain mechanisms and encryption protocols, ensuring a secure and decentralized environment for transactions. Scalability and Privacy: XRP 2.0 prioritizes enhanced privacy protections in transaction processes and the scalability necessary to accommodate a growing user base. No Affiliation with Ripple: Importantly, despite its name, XRP 2.0 does not have any allegiance or collaboration with Ripple’s XRP, distinguishing its operational framework and objectives within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Conclusion XRP 2.0 represents an ambitious venture into the cryptocurrency sphere, aiming to offer a combination of security, privacy, and efficiency in digital transactions. By integrating sophisticated technologies and user-friendly features, the project sets out to broaden the horizons of what cryptocurrency can achieve in today's digital economy. While the anonymity of its creator and lack of disclosed investors might raise questions for some, XRP 2.0's focus on advanced functionalities and decentralisation enhances its appeal amidst an increasingly crowded crypto market. As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve, XRP 2.0 may yet emerge as a pivotal player in the expansion of secure and scalable blockchain solutions.

941 Total ViewsPublished 2024.04.01Updated 2024.12.03

What is XRP 2.0

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