TLDR
- SBI Holdings is launching a 10 billion yen (~$64.5 million) blockchain-based bond that rewards investors in XRP
- The SBI START Bonds offer a fixed annual interest rate of 1.85%–2.45% and are settled fully on-chain
- XRP ETFs pulled in $45 million in fresh inflows, showing steady investor demand
- XRP price rose around 3% to $1.43–$1.44, holding above the key $1.40 support level
- Price targets sit at $1.50 and $1.60 if current momentum continues
XRP climbed around 3% over 24 hours to $1.43–$1.44 on Saturday as news broke that Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings is launching a blockchain-based bond that pays investors in XRP.
The product, called SBI START Bonds, is a 10 billion yen (~$64.5 million) fixed-income offering aimed at individual retail investors in Japan.
The bonds carry an indicative annual interest rate of 1.85% to 2.45%, paid every six months over a three-year term.
🚨BREAKING: Japan’s largest banking group, “SBI Holdings,” has launched a ¥10 billion ($64.5 million) on-chain bond issuance, offering investors the opportunity to earn #XRP as a reward!
🇯🇵JAPAN LOVES XRP🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/IdbLxR8LkI
— ONE LOVE VEGAN ❤️💛💚 (@Onelovevegans) February 21, 2026
All settlement and record-keeping runs on the “ibet for Fin” blockchain platform, developed by enterprise firm BOOSTRY. No traditional Japanese securities settlement infrastructure is used.
XRP Rewards Explained
Investors who purchase at least 100,000 yen (around $650) worth of the bonds and hold an account with SBI VC Trade are eligible for XRP rewards.
The reward rate is set at 200 yen in XRP per 100,000 yen invested. Payouts are distributed at issuance, then again on each interest payment date through 2029.
Secondary trading is expected to start on March 25 via the Osaka Digital Exchange’s START platform.
SBI has been closely linked to Ripple since a partnership formed in 2016. The company’s Chairman and CEO Yoshitaka Kitao has stated SBI owns roughly 9% of Ripple Labs.
SBI has previously distributed XRP directly to shareholders and supported XRP-based remittances between Japan and the Philippines.
ETF Inflows Add To Momentum
XRP spot ETFs added $45 million in net inflows in recent trading sessions across seven funds, according to Sosovalue data. That came on the same day Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded $88.04 million in net inflows and Ethereum spot ETFs saw $17,200.
On the price chart, the Chaikin Money Flow indicator held above the neutral line for several days, pointing to steady capital inflows. The RSI stabilized in the mid-range, reflecting balanced momentum.
Key support for XRP sits near $1.40, with deeper support around $1.35. Upside targets are at $1.50 and $1.60 if buyers maintain pressure.
$XRP AT LEGENDARY SUPPORT.
DON’T FLIP BEARISH NOW! 👇 pic.twitter.com/KgBVnQoBJv
— STEPH IS CRYPTO (@Steph_iscrypto) February 21, 2026
The broader crypto market gained 0.84% on the day, pushing total market capitalization to around $2.34 trillion. Bitcoin was trading near $68,000 and Ethereum around $1,970.
XRP ETF inflows of $45 million and the SBI bond launch were the two main drivers behind Saturday’s price move.
