Coinpaper
January 5, 2026 5:11 PM UTC

SBI Group and Visa Launch Crypto Rewards Cards in Japan — With XRP Joining BTC and ETH in Real-World Spending Push

SBI and Visa Unveil Crypto Reward Cards in Japan, Featuring XRP, BTC and ETH SBI Holdings Chairman and President Yoshitaka Kitao has confirmed that the SBI Group is partnering with global payments giant Visa to launch new crypto reward credit cards in Japan, enabling users to earn Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP on everyday purchases, further advancing the integration of digital assets into routine consumer spending. The collaboration offers a straightforward proposition, shop as you normally would and earn crypto rewards deposited directly into supported wallets, seamlessly bridging everyday card payments with blockchain-based incentives. Standard cardholders can earn up to 2.5% in crypto cashback, while premium Gold users may receive as much as 10%, depending on spending tiers and promotional terms. Well, the rollout is designed to accelerate adoption, tapping into Japan’s fast-growing shift toward digital-first payments. SBI Group, which includes SBI Holdings and its global subsidiaries, has been steadily expanding its footprint in digital assets and blockchain infrastructure, with XRP remaining a core pillar of its broader financial ecosystem strategy. SBI, Rakuten, and Bitbank Moves Signal XRP’s Push Into Japan’s Real-World Payments Ecosystem Beyond payments, SBI Holdings is also in talks over a potential capital and business alliance to acquire Bitbank, which operates a crypto exchange, under its broader subsidiary network. This development underscores ongoing consolidation in Japan’s digital asset sector as major players position for greater market control and infrastructure expansion. Meanwhile, XRP sentiment recently hit a 2-year high after Rakuten Wallet deepened its integration within cryptocurrency. With roughly 44 million Rakuten Pay users in Japan and an estimated $23 billion in circulating loyalty points, the rollout is being seen as one of XRP’s most meaningful real-world retail exposure channels to date. Market analysts note that the convergence of crypto rewards on cards, exchange infrastructure, and retail payment systems could help shift XRP from a largely traded asset toward a more functional role in everyday payments within Japan’s digital economy. With XRP continuously being positioned across multiple touchpoints, Japan is increasingly emerging as a key testing ground for mainstream crypto payment adoption.