SBI and Visa launch crypto card in Japan with 3 coins for spending

SBI Group announced on May 1, 2026, a partnership with Visa to launch a crypto rewards credit card in Japan, a move that brings digital assets including XRP, Bitcoin, and Ethereum closer to everyday consumer spending.

The collaboration between the Japanese financial services giant and the global payments network aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the growing digital asset economy. "This partnership could significantly boost the real-world utility and adoption of the supported cryptocurrencies in Japan, a major market," the company statement said.

This initiative allows cardholders to earn rewards and make purchases using the three supported cryptocurrencies. The launch follows a series of moves that signal growing crypto acceptance in the country, including Rakuten Wallet's recent integration of XRP, allowing its 44 million users to convert loyalty points into the asset.

The new card is set to increase the demand for XRP, BTC, and ETH by providing a direct avenue for real-world spending. It may also set a precedent for other financial institutions and payment networks to offer similar products, further integrating digital assets into the mainstream Japanese economy.

XRP, BTC, and ETH Gain Real-World Utility

The SBI Group-Visa card enables users to spend their crypto holdings at any merchant that accepts Visa, effectively converting digital assets into purchasing power for everyday goods and services. This development provides a tangible use case for the three largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization outside of trading and investment.

The inclusion of XRP is particularly notable, as it aligns with a broader trend of its adoption within Japan's payments ecosystem. As noted in a recent Santiment report, XRP's social media sentiment reached a two-year high following its integration with Rakuten Pay, which allows users to spend the asset at over 5 million merchant locations.

Japan's Adoption Trend Accelerates

This partnership arrives amid a wave of pro-crypto developments in Japan. The Japan Exchange Group, the country's largest exchange operator, is reportedly considering the launch of Bitcoin and crypto ETFs by 2027, pending regulatory changes. This indicates a growing institutional appetite for regulated crypto investment products.

Furthermore, Japanese regulators have been creating a structured framework for digital assets. The inclusion of tokens like Shiba Inu (SHIB) on Japan's "Green List" has already enabled services like lending and yield generation through platforms such as SBI VC Trade. The new SBI-Visa card builds on this momentum, pushing crypto from a speculative asset class toward a functional medium of exchange.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.