- SBI’s $288M Bitbank acquisition boosts its crypto market leadership in Japan.
- Combined platform may manage ¥1.1T in assets across 2.92M crypto accounts.
- Deal strengthens SBI’s push into stablecoins and blockchain finance growth.
Japanese financial services giant SBI Holdings has agreed to acquire cryptocurrency exchange Bitbank in a deal valued at approximately $288 million. The transaction marks one of the largest consolidation moves in Japan’s digital asset sector this year.
Through the acquisition, SBI aims to strengthen its position in the country’s increasingly competitive crypto market while expanding its reach in emerging areas such as stablecoins and on-chain finance. The deal will also significantly increase SBI’s customer base and digital asset holdings, placing the group among the leading cryptocurrency operators in Japan.
SBI Expands Its Crypto Ambitions
SBI approved the acquisition during a board meeting on June 25. The company signed a basic agreement and a share transfer agreement with Bitbank, its founder Noriyuki Hirosue, and major shareholders. SBI plans to complete the purchase through its wholly owned subsidiary, SBICAH LLC.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval, including clearance from Japan’s Fair Trade Commission. If regulators approve the deal, SBI expects to complete the initial share transfer around August 2026. The broader transaction should conclude by October.
Bitbank has built a strong reputation in Japan’s crypto industry. The exchange has operated since 2014 and has maintained a clean security record throughout its history. The company offers cryptocurrency trading services and has focused heavily on security and compliance measures.
Combined Business to Create Market Leader
SBI stated that the acquisition will allow both companies to combine resources and strengthen their service offerings. The group plans to leverage Bitbank’s technology, customer relationships, and operational expertise. At the same time, Bitbank will gain access to SBI’s broader financial ecosystem and digital asset initiatives.
According to SBI’s estimates, combining Bitbank with SBI VC Trade would create a platform managing roughly 1.1 trillion yen in customer assets. The merged business would also serve approximately 2.92 million cryptocurrency accounts. These figures would place SBI among the top cryptocurrency exchange operators in Japan by both assets and customer accounts.
Moreover, SBI sees opportunities beyond traditional crypto trading. The company continues to invest in stablecoin-related services and blockchain-based financial products. Consequently, the acquisition could accelerate the development of new digital asset offerings for Japanese consumers.
Financial Details and Next Steps
The total acquisition cost will reach approximately 46.7 billion yen. SBI will initially acquire more than 53,000 shares and later participate in a capital increase that will add nearly 49,000 shares. After additional planned transactions, SBI expects to hold 100% ownership of Bitbank.
Despite Bitbank reporting losses in 2025, SBI believes the acquisition will strengthen its long-term growth strategy. Additionally, the company expects limited impact on its consolidated earnings for the fiscal year ending March 2027. However, executives view the transaction as a strategic investment that could enhance competitiveness and profitability across SBI’s expanding digital asset business.
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