SBI Holdings' ¥46.7B Bitbank Buy Seals Japan Crypto Dominance

SBI first disclosed talks in May about a capital and business partnership. The two sides settled on a full takeover rather than a minority stake. SBI has been consolidating its crypto operations for months. In April 2026, its SBI VC Trade unit absorbed BITPoint Japan, merging user accounts and reducing overlap. The group also migrated accounts from DMM Bitcoin after that platform shut down. Bitbank adds spot trading, lending, and a credit card that lets users pay monthly bills with Bitcoin, a card it launched with EPOS Card.

The deal points to a broader shift in Japan's crypto regulatory environment. Lawmakers are considering reclassifying digital assets under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, a move that would impose stricter governance, capital, and compliance rules. Established financial groups like SBI are better positioned to meet those requirements than smaller independent exchanges, several analysts said. Bitbank assured customers that its trading interface, branding, and contract terms will not change immediately. All existing services remain operational during the transition.

SBI's ambitions go beyond Bitbank. The group is also negotiating a controlling stake in Coinhako, a Singapore‑based exchange, to expand across Asia. Those talks continue, with a decision expected later this year.