SBI's XRP-Infused Savings Product Signals Japan's Crypto Ambitions

SBI Group, a leading Japanese financial conglomerate, has launched the SBI Hyper Deposit, a yen-based savings product offering a 0.42% annual interest rate and XRP rewards to customers. The product, effective from September 23, 2025, integrates SBI Shinsei Bank and SBI Securities accounts, enabling automated transfers between banking and securities holdings. This streamlines cash management for users, allowing instant access to purchase stocks, funds, or other assets without manual transfers. The interest rate surpasses SBI Shinsei Bank’s standard 0.40% yield, positioning Hyper Deposit as a competitive option in Japan’s low-interest-rate environment .

The Hyper Deposit’s automated functionality includes scheduled auto-transfers, enabling users to move fixed amounts from regular yen accounts into the product at set intervals. Proceeds from securities sales are automatically credited to the Hyper Deposit account, reducing the need for manual intervention. SBI Holdings CEO has emphasized the product’s role in enhancing retail investor efficiency, particularly as Japan’s capital markets see growing demand for faster access to trading capital .

A key feature of the Hyper Deposit is the integration of XRP rewards. Customers who open accounts receive XRP tokens as promotional incentives, reinforcing SBI’s strategic partnership with Ripple. This collaboration dates to 2012 and has included initiatives such as SBI Ripple Asia, which leveraged Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) technology to reduce cross-border transaction costs. SBI Remit became the first Japanese firm to use XRP for international transfers in 2021, and in August 2025, SBI signed an MOU with Ripple and SBI VC Trade to launch Ripple’s U.S. dollar stablecoin, RLUSD, in Japan by 2026 .

The XRP incentives align with SBI’s broader vision to embed digital assets into everyday financial systems. By linking XRP rewards to traditional banking services, the group aims to accelerate mainstream adoption of blockchain-based assets. Industry analysts view this as a strategic move to position Japan as a hub for crypto innovation, particularly as global competition for digital asset leadership intensifies . SBI’s approach also includes preferential rates for Hyper Deposit holders, further incentivizing participation in the XRP ecosystem .

SBI’s partnership with Ripple extends beyond remittances. In 2025, SBI Digital Community collaborated with Ripple on NFTs on the XRP Ledger, using platforms like xrp.cafe to compensate creators with XRP. This expansion into tokenized assets and stablecoins underscores SBI’s commitment to diversifying its digital offerings. The Hyper Deposit’s launch is seen as a critical step in merging fiat and crypto ecosystems, with potential ripple effects (pun intended) on Japan’s financial landscape .

The product’s introduction has drawn attention for its potential to influence broader market trends. By offering tangible crypto incentives alongside competitive yields, SBI may encourage other Japanese institutions to adopt similar strategies. The integration of XRP into everyday banking services also aligns with global efforts to legitimize cryptocurrencies as utility assets, a trend accelerated by recent U.S. federal and state-level initiatives to explore digital reserves . However, critics caution that Bitcoin’s volatility and regulatory uncertainties remain challenges for large-scale adoption.

[1] SBI Group Launches Hyper Deposit With 0.42% Yield and XRP Rewards (https://www.cryptoninjas.net/news/sbi-group-launches-hyper-deposit-with-0-42-yield-and-xrp-rewards/)

[2] SBI Holdings Unveils Hyper Deposit with XRP Rewards and Reduced Rates (https://coincentral.com/sbi-holdings-unveils-hyper-deposit-with-xrp-rewards-and-reduced-rates/)

[4] U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Strategic_Bitcoin_Reserve)