SBI Holdings has filed documentation in Japan to launch two ETFs linked to XRP and Bitcoin, a move that could revolutionize access to cryptocurrencies for bull investors in the country.
What is the Crypto-Assets ETF proposed by SBI Holdings?
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The new Crypto-Assets ETF introduced by SBI Holdings provides direct exposure to XRP and Bitcoin, offering investors the opportunity to access the price movements of these assets without purchasing them directly. The listing request was formally communicated in the report of the second quarter of 2025. The structure of this ETF would allow for the first time in Japan to bring XRP and Bitcoin into traditional portfolios through fully regulated and supervised instruments.
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What makes the Digital Gold Crypto ETF unique?
While the first fund focuses solely on criptovalute, the Digital Gold Crypto ETF combines the performance of digital currencies with the stability of gold. More than 50% of this product’s portfolio is aligned with gold ETFs, allowing investors to mitigate the typical volatility of cryptocurrencies. This hybrid approach, which combines crypto growth and the security of traditional assets, marks an absolute novelty in the Japanese market and aims to attract both expert and cautious investors.
What is the role of SBI Holdings and Ripple in the adoption of XRP?
SBI Holdings, already known as Softbank Investment, is one of the main players in financial services in Japan. It holds a key position as a stakeholder of Ripple and has distinguished itself for initiatives in the field of blockchain payments and stablecoin. With this new move on ETFs, SBI confirms its confidence in the long-term value of XRP and its use in cross-border payments, a sector where Asia is showing itself to be among the most dynamic in the world.
“We want to break down the barriers between traditional finance and digital innovation”,
stated the management in the presentation of the quarterly plans. The ETF indeed represents a catalyst for a possible institutional adoption of XRP on a large scale in Japan, a country already at the forefront in the regulation of digital assets.
When and how might XRP ETFs arrive in Japan?
If the Autorità finanziaria del Giappone were to give the green light, the new ETFs would represent a historic milestone. Currently, only in Canada has an ETF on XRP been approved; in key nations like the United States, the decision is postponed at least until September-October 2025. Japan, thanks to recent tax reforms more favorable towards cryptocurrencies, could therefore lead the way in Asia. According to the documentation, the launch of the products would occur immediately after regulatory approval.
What obstacles do Crypto ETFs encounter in Japan?
Despite the growing openness, the crypto-themed ETF market has historically encountered resistance from regulatory institutions due to volatility and transparency reasons. However, the offering of more balanced funds like the Digital Gold Crypto ETF might convince the regulator of the mechanism’s solidity and facilitate obtaining the license.
What will be the consequences on the Ripple ecosystem and Japanese crypto?
A legally recognized XRP ETF in Japan could generate:
- Increase in institutional liquidity
- Greater attractiveness of Ripple in Asian payment routes
- Example for other banks and financial groups in the tokenization of assets
- Consolidation of Japan’s role as a hub for digital finance Beyond the current scenario, the presence of a balanced ETF with gold would also facilitate greater confidence from more traditional investors.
What changes for investors and which strategies to consider?
The opening to an ETF XRP and Bitcoin would simplify access to cryptocurrency markets without the complexities of custody, wallets, or hacking risks, favoring both short and long-term position strategies. The gold-crypto allocation of the new solutions offered by SBI Holdings also allows for balancing risk/return in an unprecedented way in Asia. Bringing DeFi, stablecoin, and physical gold closer together enables an unprecedented diversification in the eastern landscape.
What happens now: prospects and future impact
With the request for ETFs on XRP and Bitcoin filed, the focus shifts to the Japanese authorities and the upcoming tax and regulatory reforms. The outcome will determine if the country will become the second in the world after Canada to offer institutional access to XRP via ETF.
The coming weeks will be crucial to understand if major Asian investors can finally diversify in a regulated manner among blockchain, gold, and other cryptocurrencies.
