XRP News Today: Gumi's XRP Bet Signals Japan's Digital Finance Transformation

Tokyo-listed gaming and blockchain company Gumi Inc. has announced a ¥2.5 billion ($17 million) investment in XRP, reflecting a strategic alignment with its largest shareholder, SBI Holdings, which has long supported Ripple’s XRP token [1]. This investment, scheduled between September 2025 and February 2026, underscores Gumi’s broader digital finance strategy, which combines XRP with Bitcoin (BTC) as dual pillars of its portfolio [2]. While XRP is positioned for use in cross-border payments and liquidity solutions, Bitcoin is managed through staking protocols and seen as a stable store of value [3].

Gumi emphasized that its decision to prioritize XRP was not speculative but aligned with SBI Holdings’ ongoing efforts to expand the XRP ecosystem. SBI has been instrumental in promoting XRP-based cross-border payment solutions and liquidity networks in Japan, where regulatory support is growing [4]. The company also announced a $6.6 million Bitcoin investment in June 2025, reinforcing its commitment to treating digital assets as long-term components of its financial strategy [5].

The move comes as SBI Holdings advances its own initiatives, including a pending regulatory approval for a crypto ETF in Japan that could include XRP alongside Bitcoin [6]. These efforts are part of a broader trend in Japan, where major firms are increasingly integrating digital assets into their balance sheets. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) is also preparing a regulatory reform package, including tax and compliance upgrades, which could pave the way for the launch of crypto-linked ETFs [7].

Following the announcement, Gumi’s stock rose 6.14% to 640 yen, reflecting positive investor sentiment, while SBI Holdings saw a 4.04% decline. At the time of the announcement, XRP traded at $2.73, down 3.88% in the previous 24 hours, while Bitcoin traded at $108,074.63, down 0.59% [8]. Despite these short-term market fluctuations, Gumi’s management reiterated its focus on long-term growth through digital finance innovation and ecosystem development [9].

The XRP investment is part of Gumi’s blockchain-focused business strategy, which includes expanding its revenue base and contributing to the growth of the XRP ecosystem. The company’s two-pillar approach—treating Bitcoin as a store of value and XRP as a utility token—illustrates a broader corporate shift toward digital assets. This strategy is expected to diversify Gumi’s income streams and position it in a rapidly evolving financial services landscape [10].

XRP’s utility extends beyond cross-border payments, with growing interest in its application for stablecoins, asset tokenization, and decentralized finance (DeFi) on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). These developments highlight XRP’s potential as a foundational asset in financial infrastructure and digital transformation. As regulatory clarity and adoption continue to evolve, XRP’s role in institutional finance and global markets is expected to expand, particularly with strong support from major stakeholders like SBI Holdings [11].

Source:

[1] Japanese gaming firm Gumi bets $17 mln on XRP, skips Ethereum – here’s why (https://ambcrypto.com/japanese-gaming-firm-gumi-bets-17-mln-on-xrp-skips-ethereum-heres-why/)

[2] Japan Game Developer Gumi Invests $17M in XRP (https://beincrypto.com/japan-game-developer-gumi-invests-17m-in-xrp/)

[11] Top 5 Use Cases of XRP in 2025: Beyond Payments (https://rubic.exchange/blog/xrp-use-cases-2025-beyond-payments/)