Japan's First Security Token Bond Launches with XRP Rewards

SBI Holdings, one of Japan's largest financial conglomerates, has issued its first blockchain-based bond for retail investors. The ¥10 billion ($64.5 million) security token offering is called SBI START Bonds and pairs fixed-income returns with XRP token rewards.

The three-year instruments are fully managed on-chain using BOOSTRY's 'ibet for Fin' enterprise blockchain platform. Secondary trading will begin March 25 on Osaka Digital Exchange's proprietary START system, with the final coupon rate expected to be between 1.85% and 2.45% annually.

Retail investors and corporations purchasing at least ¥100,000 ($650) worth of bonds qualify for XRP rewards. The initial distribution equals approximately ¥200 in XRP per ¥100,000 invested, paid at issuance and again on each semi-annual interest date through maturity in March 2029.