SBI Launches Japan's First Blockchain-Based Bond with XRP Rewards

SBI Holdings, Japan's largest financial conglomerate, has launched its first blockchain-based bond for retail investors. The ¥10 billion ($64.5 million) security token offering, dubbed SBI START Bonds, 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 is scheduled to begin March 25 on Osaka Digital Exchange's proprietary START system.

Retail investors and corporations purchasing at least ¥100,000 ($650) worth of bonds and holding an account with SBI VC Trade 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.