SBI Launches Security Token Bonds With XRP Rewards for Retail Investors

TLDR:

• SBI will issue Security Token bonds through blockchain instead of traditional depository systems used in Japanese capital markets.
• Retail investors can trade the bonds on a digital exchange platform starting in March 2026.
• Eligible bondholders will receive XRP benefits tied to their subscription and interest payment dates.
• The project supports Japan’s push to merge regulated finance with token-based settlement systems.

SBI Holdings has unveiled plans to issue its first Security Token bonds aimed at individual investors in Japan. The offering marks a shift from traditional bond management toward blockchain-based issuance and settlement. 

Trading will begin on a digital marketplace designed for retail participation. The move signals a broader push to integrate tokenized assets into regulated capital markets.

Security Token bonds enter Japan’s retail market

SBI Holdings filed an amended shelf registration with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau to prepare the bond sale. The bonds will carry the nickname SBI START Bonds and operate under a digital transfer registration system.

Unlike conventional bonds recorded through Japan Securities Depository Center, the issuance will rely on blockchain infrastructure. SBI will use the ibet for Fin platform developed by BOOSTRY to manage the full lifecycle.

The digital system will handle issuance, administration, and redemption electronically. SBI said this approach removes paper-based processing and reduces reliance on legacy settlement workflows.

Retail trading will start on March 25, 2026, through the proprietary trading system START. The platform is operated by Osaka Digital Exchange and will allow individual investors to buy and sell the bonds in an open market.

XRP rewards and blockchain settlement model

Investors who purchase the Security Token bonds will receive XRP benefits linked to their subscription amounts. SBI confirmed that only domestic residents and corporations qualify for the incentive.

To receive the XRP, bondholders must open an account with SBI VC Trade and complete required procedures by the stated deadline. Distribution will occur on each interest payment date through 2029.

The company framed the reward structure as part of its broader digital asset strategy. SBI has expanded its blockchain operations through partnerships, investments, and proof-of-concept trials across Japan.

The group said tokenized bonds support its vision of an economy where transactions and settlements occur directly on blockchain networks. Officials also stated that growth in the Security Token bond market could help modernize Japan’s capital markets.

According to the company’s disclosure, the issuance will not materially affect consolidated financial results. SBI positioned the project as an infrastructure experiment rather than a revenue driver.

The bond launch follows a wider trend among Japanese financial firms to test tokenized securities under existing regulatory frameworks. 

SBI described the initiative as a step toward linking traditional finance with on-chain settlement systems while keeping investor protections intact.

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