"On-chain bonds that retail investors can also buy" SBI launches a 10 billion yen innovative product and also offers XRP rewards

Japanese financial giant SBI Group is making new moves. This time, they are targeting retail investors by launching a new product that combines the stability of traditional bonds with blockchain innovation—the “SBI START Bond.” This seemingly “high-end” financial innovation has actually opened the door for retail investors.

Traditional Bonds Meet Blockchain, Giving Retail Investors a New Choice

This digital bond, with an issuance scale of 10 billion yen (about $64.5 million), is managed entirely on the blockchain, supported by BOOSTRY’s enterprise-grade blockchain platform “ibet for Fin.” In simple terms, it’s traditional bonds moved onto the blockchain, maintaining the安心 of fixed income while adding the innovative DNA of the crypto world.

What does this mean for retail investors? First, increased liquidity—later tradable on the Osaka Digital Exchange’s “START” secondary market; second, lower participation barriers—minimum subscription of only 100,000 yen (about $650), an affordable amount for most retail investors.

Starting at 1.85% Annual Interest, Plus XRP Rewards

Regarding returns, this 3-year bond is estimated to have an annual interest rate between 1.85% and 2.45%. While the rate isn’t particularly high, SBI added an interesting feature—each subscriber can receive additional XRP rewards.

How does it work? For every 100,000 yen invested, you get XRP worth 200 yen. Based on the current XRP price of about $1.44, this reward translates into a significant extra gain. More attractive is that the XRP isn’t a one-time bonus; it’s distributed on the issuance date and then credited on each interest payment date (semiannually) through 2029.

This combination allows retail investors to enjoy the stability of traditional bond income while participating in the appreciation potential of crypto assets.

Low Subscription Threshold: Just 100,000 Yen to Get Started

To attract retail investors, SBI set a very accessible subscription minimum. Any retail investor or corporate法人 with Japanese residency can subscribe with at least 100,000 yen and hold an account on SBI VC Trade (SBI Group’s cryptocurrency exchange). They will then receive XRP rewards proportionally.

In other words, SBI significantly lowered the participation barrier, enabling ordinary investors to access this innovative financial product. The “SBI START Bond” is scheduled to officially list on the Osaka Digital Exchange on March 25, 2025, allowing retail investors to trade on the secondary market.

Deep Alliance Between SBI and Ripple—What’s Behind It?

To understand why SBI is so bullish on XRP and blockchain technology, it’s important to look at their history. As early as 2016, SBI established a strategic partnership with blockchain company Ripple. Since then, SBI has continuously supported XRP; its subsidiaries have even directly distributed XRP to shareholders and actively promoted XRP cross-border remittances between Japan and the Philippines.

SBI Group Chairman Yoshitaka Kitao has publicly disclosed that the group holds about 9% of Ripple Labs’ shares. This deep equity stake and strategic cooperation have made SBI one of the most important financial partners in the XRP ecosystem. The two have even co-founded “SBI Ripple Asia” to deepen collaboration.

It’s also worth noting that SBI’s business scope continues to expand. The group has partnered with stablecoin issuer Circle to bring USDC into Japan, and recently signed an MOU with Ripple to assist in issuing Ripple’s USD stablecoin RLUSD in Japan. All these actions point in the same direction: SBI is building a comprehensive blockchain financial ecosystem.

The Era of Blockchain Bonds Is Coming—How Can Retail Investors Take Advantage?

From a traditional finance perspective, SBI START Bond offers retail investors a relatively safe entry into the blockchain world—fixed interest provides a basic safeguard, while XRP rewards offer additional growth potential. This “insurance + opportunity” combination is exactly what retail investors need right now.

As a major Japanese financial institution, SBI’s launch of such products has a significant demonstration effect. It could inspire more traditional financial institutions to explore blockchain bonds, further promoting the mainstream adoption and institutionalization of crypto assets. For retail investors, this is undoubtedly a new opportunity window.