SBI Japan, a key partner of Ripple, has announced plans to launch two new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that will directly tie XRP to global markets. The announcement, made in SBI’s Q2 2025 report, comes after growing institutional interest in XRP. According to XRP community influencer Eri, the ETFs are set to be named the Digital Gold Crypto ETF and the Crypto Asset ETF.
These ETFs are expected to help bridge the gap between traditional and digital assets, providing a new investment avenue for both crypto enthusiasts and institutional players.
Proposed ETFs: A Mix of Traditional and Crypto Assets
The Digital Gold Crypto ETF will focus on traditional assets, directly investing in Bitcoin and gold ETFs. Notably, the fund will allocate more than 51% of its resources to gold, while the remainder will be invested in the Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC).
On the other hand, the Crypto Asset ETF will be a crypto-focused product, featuring Bitcoin and XRP exclusively. The exact allocation between the two assets has not been disclosed. Still, the fund aims to give investors exposure to both the leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, and the growing potential of XRP.
SBI plans to list the Crypto Asset ETF on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, pending approval, marking a significant step for both XRP and the broader cryptocurrency market in Japan.
Institutional Interest in XRP Grows Globally
SBI’s announcement follows a wave of institutional interest in XRP. In June 2025, the Ontario Securities Commission approved the launch of two spot XRP ETFs in Canada, paving the way for greater institutional adoption of XRP. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the SEC has approved Bitcoin-only spot ETFs, and more than ten asset managers are seeking to launch similar XRP products.
Although the SEC halted the launch of two basket ETFs, which included XRP, Grayscale’s Digital Large Cap Fund (GDLC) and the Bitwise Index Fund (BITW), SBI’s proposal to launch a basket ETF featuring XRP and Bitcoin signals continued global interest in XRP as a mainstream financial instrument.
The ongoing efforts in Japan align with the country’s recent push to treat cryptocurrencies as legitimate financial assets. SBI hopes this regulatory environment will facilitate the approval of its ETFs.
Related article: $246M XRP Transfer: Kraken Shuffles Funds Amid Market Dip
SBI Expects Major Returns on Ripple Investment
Beyond the ETFs, SBI is also optimistic about significant returns from its 9% stake in Ripple. The Japanese financial institution has experienced remarkable growth, with its investment balance increasing by 2.8 times over the past five years, reaching 795.1 billion JPY ($5.37 billion) at the end of Q2 2025.
SBI anticipates that many of the companies it has invested in, including Ripple, will go public within the next two years. If Ripple pursues an initial public offering (IPO) or a similar event, SBI expects its 9% stake to be revalued, yielding substantial profits.
While Ripple has not disclosed any formal IPO plans, the company is focused on expanding its global reach. In addition, SBI has integrated XRP into its international remittance solution and is exploring ways to handle Ripple’s USD stablecoin (RLUSD).
Final Thoughts: SBI’s Strategic Positioning in XRP
SBI Japan’s proposed ETFs and growing stake in Ripple underscore the financial giant’s strategic positioning in the digital asset space. As institutional support for XRP continues to grow, SBI stands to benefit significantly from its investments in both Ripple and related blockchain projects. With an optimistic outlook on Ripple’s future, SBI’s involvement with XRP could continue to shape the next phase of institutional crypto adoption.
