SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao confirms plans to invest up to $1.25 billion in the Ripple IPO, predicting a possible timeline for the firm to go public.
He shared this during SBI’s latest Information Meeting, where he explained how the company plans to spread its investments over time. According to Kitao, Ripple could eventually go public over the next 12 years.
Key Points
- SBI CEO plans up to $1.25B investment in Ripple IPO and predicts a possible public listing within 12 years.
- SBI has been Ripple’s key partner since 2016, holding about a 9% equity stake.
- Ripple says it has no IPO plans, citing strong finances and the ability to fund growth privately.
- Ripple raised $500M at a $40B valuation and launched a $750M buyback targeting a $50B valuation.
SBI CEO Plans $1.25 Billion Investment in Ripple IPO
In an official SBI video shared on June 1, Kitao said he plans to use about 70% of any amount he’s able to save for the next stage of investments before moving into a second phase.
According to him, if SBI decides to invest everything at once, he would “go all in” on Ripple Labs when the company eventually becomes public. Japan-based $XRP community figure Eri called attention to these comments.
“When @Ripple Labs goes public, I plan to pour in ¥100 billion or even ¥200 billion all at once to fully complete everything. I think they will probably go public in about 12 years. I really believe Ripple needs to go public.”
That’s about $626 million or even up to $1.25… pic.twitter.com/ufcT7phDV8
— 🌸Eri ~ Carpe Diem (@sentosumosaba) June 2, 2026
Kitao noted that a full one-time investment could fall between 100 billion yen ($626 million) and 200 billion yen ($1.25 billion). According to him, this would allow SBI to complete its investment plan in one move.
He also suggested that he believes that once all this is done, Ripple could go public within 12 years. The SBI Holdings CEO stressed that the Ripple IPO could be an important step for the company’s growth.
Kitao mentioned Circle as an example, noting that its move into the public market has gone well so far. He mentioned a cycle where companies go public, adjust their capital, reinvest, and improve their structure. Kitao believes this kind of cycle can help businesses grow stronger over time.
Strong SBI-Ripple Partnership Continues to Grow
SBI Holdings and Ripple have built a strong relationship over the years, starting in 2016. Their partnership focuses on cross-border payments, the use of $XRP through On-Demand Liquidity, and joint business efforts across Asia.
The relationship began in early and late 2016 when SBI invested in Ripple during its Series B funding round, which raised about $55 million in total. SBI went on to become the largest external Ripple shareholder, with about a 9% stake.
In May 2016, both companies launched SBI Ripple Asia. In this joint venture, SBI held 60% while Ripple Labs held 40%, with an initial capital of 350 million yen. The goal was to roll out RippleNet across Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, allowing fast cross-border payments in over 40 currencies and across more than 70 countries.
In 2021, SBI moved into live use of $XRP. Through SBI Ripple Asia, SBI Remit became the first service in Japan to use Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity for transfers between Japan and the Philippines, enabling real-time payments using $XRP.
The partnership has continued to grow since then. Last year, SBI signed an agreement to help distribute RLUSD, Ripple’s stablecoin, in Japan through SBI VC Trade, with a planned launch in the first quarter of 2026. Now, Kitao is planning an investment in a possible Ripple IPO.
Ripple Says It Still Has No IPO Plans
Despite SBI’s interest, Ripple has made it clear that it does not plan to go public anytime soon. The company says it is in a strong financial position and can fund its growth without turning to public markets or dealing with extra reporting requirements.
This position is supported by recent financial activity. In November 2025, Ripple raised $500 million through a share sale that valued the company at $40 billion. Soon after, in early 2026, Ripple launched a $750 million share buyback program. This move aimed to raise its valuation to $50 billion.
Ripple President Monica Long also confirmed this stance in a January 2026 interview with Bloomberg. She said the company still plans to stay private and explained that Ripple has enough funding to support its growth. Long noted that companies usually go public when they need more capital or liquidity, which Ripple does not need right now.
