SBI CEO Denies $10 Billion XRP Position, Confirms Stake in Ripple
SBI Holdings Chief Executive Officer Yoshitaka Kitao has denied reports that the Japanese financial group maintains a $10 billion direct position in XRP, clarifying instead that the firm holds an equity stake of roughly 9% in Ripple Labs.
Key Takeaways:
- SBI CEO Yoshitaka Kitao denied claims of a $10 billion direct XRP holding.
- The firm confirmed it holds approximately 9% equity in Ripple Labs.
- The clarification distinguishes between token exposure and corporate ownership.
- Ripple equity differs structurally from holding XRP on balance sheet.
- The statement may temper speculation about institutional XRP accumulation.
The statement addresses speculation circulating in crypto markets regarding the scale of SBI’s exposure to XRP, the token associated with Ripple’s cross-border payments ecosystem.
🚨 NEWS: SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao has officially denied claims that the firm maintains a $10 billion direct position in XRP.
Confirming instead a ~9% equity stake in Ripple Labs. pic.twitter.com/Fm02vpN2SU
— Nathan Jeffay (@NathanOnCrypto) February 16, 2026
Separating Equity From Token Exposure
Market participants had speculated that SBI – a long-time Ripple partner – held a multibillion-dollar direct position in XRP. Kitao’s clarification draws a distinction between owning XRP tokens and owning shares in Ripple Labs, the private company behind much of the XRP ecosystem’s development.
An equity stake in Ripple provides exposure to the company’s performance, partnerships, and enterprise solutions. Direct XRP holdings, by contrast, would represent balance-sheet exposure to token price fluctuations.
The distinction is significant for investors assessing institutional support for XRP markets.
SBI’s Longstanding Relationship With Ripple
SBI has maintained close ties with Ripple for years, including joint ventures focused on cross-border payments in Asia. The firm has been one of Ripple’s most prominent strategic partners outside the United States.
Its confirmed ~9% ownership in Ripple Labs underscores a continued corporate alignment but stops short of validating claims of massive token accumulation.
Market Implications
Rumors of large institutional XRP positions can influence sentiment, particularly during periods of heightened volatility. Kitao’s statement may reduce expectations of direct token-backed balance sheet support from SBI.
That said, equity ownership in Ripple still signals confidence in the company’s long-term business prospects, even if it does not equate to immediate XRP demand.
The clarification highlights a recurring issue in digital asset markets: conflation between token exposure and corporate investment in blockchain firms.
Technical Picture: XRP Consolidates Near $1.48 as Momentum Softens
Аt the time of writing XRP was trading around $1.4827, down slightly on the session, as price action continued to consolidate within a tight intraday range.
The chart shows multiple attempts to reclaim the $1.50–$1.51 area earlier in the day, followed by a sharp pullback toward the $1.46 region before stabilizing. Volume remains moderate, suggesting neither aggressive accumulation nor capitulation at current levels. The repeated rejection near $1.51 highlights short-term resistance, while the $1.46–$1.47 zone has emerged as a near-term support band after absorbing selling pressure.
Momentum indicators reflect a market in equilibrium rather than strong directional conviction. The MACD (12, 26, 9) is hovering just below the zero line, with the signal and MACD lines closely intertwined – typically a sign of consolidation rather than trend expansion.
Meanwhile, the RSI (14) sits near 39–45, below the neutral 50 level but not yet in oversold territory. This positioning suggests mild bearish momentum without extreme exhaustion. Unless RSI reclaims the midline decisively or MACD turns positive with widening separation, XRP may remain range-bound in the short term, with traders watching for a breakout above $1.50 or a renewed test of lower support.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Alexander Zdravkov is a person who always looks for the logic behind things. He has more than 3 years of experience in the crypto space, where he skillfully identifies new trends in the world of digital currencies. Whether providing in-depth analysis or daily reports on all topics, his deep understanding and enthusiasm for what he does make him a valuable member of the team.
