Japanese Companies Turn to Bitcoin and XRP

Japan's weakening currency is encouraging more companies to buy Bitcoin and XRP, not only as investment assets but also as part of shareholder reward programs.

SBI VC Trade, the cryptocurrency exchange operated by Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings, has surpassed 2 million registered accounts. Alongside this milestone, the company highlighted a growing trend in Japan's corporate sector. As the yen continues to trade near historic lows, an increasing number of businesses are purchasing Bitcoin and XRP to distribute bonuses and shareholder benefits.

According to SBI, these companies are not acquiring cryptocurrencies for short-term speculation. Instead, Bitcoin and XRP are increasingly being integrated into shareholder loyalty programs, where they are used as rewards and other incentives. The exchange believes that the growing number of registered users reflects the rising popularity of this approach.

The expansion of SBI's services has also contributed to its customer growth. On July 6, SBI VC Trade officially exceeded 2 million accounts, largely thanks to the integration of users from the VCTRADE and BITPOINT platforms following SBI's acquisition of BITPoint Japan in April.

At the same time, SBI continues to expand its product offering. The company says it provides Japan's largest selection of cryptocurrencies available for staking, allowing both individual and corporate clients to earn passive income. Last month, it also launched the country's first regulated trading services for Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin and the yen-backed JPYSC token. Lending services for both assets have also been introduced.

SBI and Ripple continue to strengthen their long-standing partnership through SBI Ripple Asia, a joint venture focused on developing blockchain solutions for Japan's ¥30 trillion prepaid payments market. SBI's long-term strategy is to expand the Ripple and XRPL ecosystem while establishing itself as Japan's leading cryptocurrency exchange. For now, Coincheck remains the market leader with 2.62 million accounts, followed by bitFlyer.

While reaching 2 million accounts marks an important milestone for SBI VC Trade, it is only the beginning of a broader trend. Across Asian markets, cryptocurrencies are becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of the financial industry. Despite ongoing price volatility, interest in digital assets remains strong, with an increasing number of companies viewing cryptocurrencies as a long-term strategic asset rather than a speculative investment.