SBI Holdings Launches $64.5M Blockchain Bond with XRP Rewards

SBI Holdings, a Japanese financial conglomerate, has launched a $64.5 million blockchain-based bond that offers XRP rewards to investors.

The three-year bonds, called SBI START Bonds, are managed entirely on-chain through the 'ibet for Fin' platform developed by BOOSTRY. Retail investors and resident companies can subscribe to at least 100,000 yen ($650) and hold an account with SBI VC Trade to be eligible for XRP rewards.

The reward structure is set at 200 yen in XRP per 100,000 yen invested, distributed at the time of issuance and again on each interest payment date through 2029. The bonds carry an indicative annual interest rate between 1.85% and 2.45%, paid on a semiannual basis.

SBI Holdings has maintained strong ties to the XRP ecosystem since partnering with Ripple in 2016. A subsidiary of the company previously distributed XRP directly to shareholders and supported XRP-powered remittance services between Japan and the Philippines.