SBI CEO: Ripple Now a Major Profit Pillar
Analysis
Price Impact
HighSbi holdings ceo yoshitaka kitao's confirmation that ripple is a 'major profit pillar' for the financial giant is a significant endorsement. this institutional validation from a company that has invested in and supported ripple for a decade, even through its legal challenges, signals strong confidence in xrp's long-term value and utility.
Trustworthiness
HighThe statement comes directly from the ceo of sbi holdings, a major, reputable financial institution, and refers to actual profitability derived from its ripple investment and the cryptocurrency ecosystem. this is a primary, verifiable source.
Price Direction
BullishThis news provides substantial bullish sentiment for xrp. institutional profitability and a long-standing partnership with a major financial player like sbi holdings strengthen xrp's narrative as a viable and valuable asset, potentially attracting further institutional interest and investment. it also validates ripple's business model and the utility of the xrp ledger.
Time Effect
LongWhile there might be a short-term positive price reaction, the core message here is the culmination of a 'decade-long bet' maturing into a 'core driver of profitability.' this speaks to long-term institutional confidence and sustained integration, suggesting a prolonged positive effect on xrp's trajectory rather than just a fleeting pump.
Original Article:
Article Content:
Cover image via www.freepik.com Read U.TODAY on Google News SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao confirmed Monday that the financial giant’s decade-long bet on Ripple Labs has matured into a core driver of the company’s profitability. Advertisement In his 2026 New Year's address, Kitao mentioned the "cryptocurrency ecosystem" as a critical component of the group's current financial health. "Needless to say, it is these fields [referring to the Ripple investment and crypto ecosystem] that currently play a part as a pillar of the SBI Group's earnings," Kitao said. HOT Stories Morning Crypto Report: Ex-Ripple CTO Reveals Unknown XRP Story From 2013, Shiba Inu (SHIB) Rockets 30% in $12 Billion Meme Coin Comeback, Legendary Trader Suddenly Becomes Bitcoin Cash Bull Schiff Dismisses Bitcoin Rally as BTC Reclaims $93K Shiba Inu (SHIB) Price Prediction 2026 Crypto Market Review: Shiba Inu (SHIB) Wants Zero Removed, XRP's Critical 2026 Resistance Destroyed, Bitcoin Needs 2 More Moves Before $100,000 This validates the financial giant's financial strategy that was originally developed years ago. Advertisement You Might Also Like Sun, 01/04/2026 - 10:09 Ripple's January XRP Distribution Complete: Details By Alex Dovbnya "In my 2018 New Year's address, I stated: 'We at the SBI Group position A&B (namely AI and Blockchain) as the technologies that will bring about the greatest social change over the next ten years... In the financial services sector, we must devote our full efforts to building a cryptocurrency ecosystem.' And we have done exactly that," he recalled. A longtime Ripple ally SBI Holdings participated in Ripple’s Series B funding round in September 2016. The partnership was solidified earlier that same year with the establishment of SBI Ripple Asia. This joint venture was launched to bring Ripple’s blockchain-based payment solutions to financial institutions in Japan and across Asia. Advertisement The partnership brought its first major consumer product with the launch of MoneyTap in 2018. The mobile app, which was powered by Ripple’s distributed ledger technology (DLT), made it possible for customers of more than 60 Japanese banks to settle domestic payments almost instantly. Kitao joins Ripple’s Board of Directors. His appointment replaced Takashi Okita (then-CEO of SBI Ripple Asia). The partnership faced its biggest stress test when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sued Ripple Labs in late 2020. However, the SBI stood firm. The company issued public statements affirming that XRP was not a security under Japanese law. SBI began integrating the XRP Ledger (XRPL) into broader financial services over the past few years. #Ripple News #SBI Group #XRP