- SBI Holdings is acquiring crypto exchange Bitbank in a ¥46.7 billion ($289 million) transaction.
- The deal is expected to create Japan’s largest crypto trading group by assets under management.
- The acquisition comes as Japan prepares stricter regulations for the digital asset industry.
SBI Holdings is taking another major step in Japan’s cryptocurrency industry with plans to acquire digital asset exchange Bitbank in a deal valued at approximately ¥46.7 billion, or about $289 million. Once completed, the transaction is expected to establish SBI as the country’s largest crypto trading group by assets under management.
The acquisition would push SBI’s total crypto holdings beyond the ¥1 trillion mark, placing it ahead of other major Japanese exchanges, including bitFlyer and Coincheck. The move further strengthens SBI’s long-term strategy of becoming one of Asia’s dominant digital asset companies.
SBI Continues Expanding Its Crypto Empire
The acquisition will take place in multiple stages. An SBI subsidiary is expected to begin purchasing Bitbank shares from individual shareholders, including the company’s founder, as early as August. By the end of October, Bitbank will also repurchase shares currently held by existing investors MIXI and Ceres, completing the ownership transition.
SBI first revealed its intention to form a capital and business alliance with Bitbank in May, signaling its goal of bringing the exchange under its corporate umbrella. Since then, discussions have progressed toward a full acquisition as the financial giant continues expanding its crypto business.
Bitbank has built a strong reputation in Japan’s digital asset market and recently became the first exchange in the country to launch a cryptocurrency-linked credit card through a partnership with EPOS Card, further strengthening its consumer offering.
Japan’s Crypto Rules Continue to Tighten
The transaction comes as Japan prepares significant regulatory changes for the cryptocurrency industry. Lawmakers are considering moving digital assets under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, a shift that would introduce stricter compliance standards, stronger investor protections, and higher capital requirements for crypto companies.
As regulations become more demanding, larger financial institutions with stronger balance sheets may gain a competitive advantage. Industry observers believe the new framework could encourage additional mergers and acquisitions as smaller exchanges seek partners capable of meeting the evolving regulatory landscape.
For SBI, expanding now allows the company to strengthen its market position before the new rules take full effect.
SBI Builds a Regional Crypto Powerhouse
Bitbank is the latest addition to SBI’s growing portfolio of cryptocurrency businesses. The company has steadily expanded through acquisitions and strategic integrations, including the transfer of DMM Bitcoin customer accounts and the acquisition of BITPoint Japan.
Adding Bitbank would unite several of Japan’s largest crypto platforms under a single corporate group, significantly increasing SBI’s presence across retail and institutional digital asset services.
The company’s ambitions extend beyond Japan as well. SBI is also pursuing a majority investment in Singapore-based Coinhako, signaling its intention to build a broader digital asset network throughout Asia.
With regulatory clarity improving across the region and institutional interest in cryptocurrencies continuing to grow, SBI appears determined to position itself as one of Asia’s leading crypto financial institutions for years to come.
