Bitcoin and XRP Draw Japanese Companies as Weak Yen Drives Treasury Diversification

What to Know

• Japanese companies are increasingly adding bitcoin and XRP to corporate treasuries as a weak yen encourages diversification beyond cash.
• SBI VC Trade says registered accounts across its VCTRADE and BITPOINT services have surpassed 2 million.
• The account base has roughly doubled since 2025, supported by SBI VC Trade’s April 2026 merger with BitPoint Japan.
• Corporate use of SBIVC for Prime has grown as firms seek broader reserve strategies and shareholder-perk programs involving bitcoin or XRP.
• Stablecoin demand is also rising, with USDC, Ripple’s dollar-backed RLUSD and the yen-pegged JPYSC forming part of the adoption trend.
• SBI VC Trade listed USDC in March 2025, added RLUSD and JPYSC in June 2026, and began offering lending against stablecoins.
• The company plans to fully integrate the VCTRADE and BITPOINT brands around the end of December to cut costs and unify service levels.

Japanese Firms Look Beyond Cash as Yen Weakness Persists

Japanese companies are showing stronger interest in bitcoin and XRP as treasury diversification becomes a more visible theme in the country’s corporate crypto market. SBI VC Trade, the crypto arm of Tokyo-based SBI Holdings, says use of its corporate service, SBIVC for Prime, has expanded as a weak yen pushes businesses to spread reserves beyond cash holdings.

The shift reflects a broader reassessment of treasury management among firms exposed to currency pressure, imported costs and changing investor expectations. When a domestic currency weakens, companies holding large cash balances may look for alternative stores of value, settlement tools or reserve assets that can sit alongside traditional bank deposits. In Japan, that discussion is increasingly bringing regulated digital assets into the conversation, particularly bitcoin and XRP.

Bitcoin remains the best-known crypto treasury asset globally because of its fixed issuance model and deep market liquidity. XRP, meanwhile, has long been associated with payments and cross-border settlement narratives, making it a familiar name for Japanese market participants who track digital asset infrastructure. SBI VC Trade’s comments suggest both assets are finding use cases not only among retail traders but also among companies evaluating how crypto can fit within balance-sheet planning and investor engagement.

SBI VC Trade Accounts Surpass 2 Million

SBI VC Trade says registered accounts across its VCTRADE and BITPOINT services have surpassed 2 million. That milestone marks a sharp expansion from the 1 million accounts counted in 2025, with growth aided by the April 2026 merger with sister firm BitPoint Japan.

The combined account figure is significant because Japan’s crypto market has developed under a strict licensing framework. That regulatory structure has generally kept the market smaller than the larger retail crypto ecosystems seen in places such as the U.S. or South Korea, but it has also given regulated platforms a clear role in onboarding users who want compliant access to digital assets.

For FXCOINZ readers, the account growth matters because it points to rising participation across both retail and corporate segments. A doubling in registered accounts since 2025 signals that demand is not limited to speculative trading alone. It also reflects growing interest in stablecoin products, lending services and treasury-related offerings that allow companies and individuals to use crypto in more varied ways.

Corporate Treasury Demand Extends to Shareholder Perks

One notable driver of corporate activity is the use of bitcoin and XRP in shareholder-perk programs. SBI VC Trade says demand is coming not only from firms diversifying reserves but also from companies that distribute bitcoin or XRP as shareholder benefits.

Shareholder perks have a distinctive role in Japan’s equity culture, where listed companies may offer benefits to encourage long-term holding and stronger investor loyalty. The use of crypto in these programs gives companies a way to connect traditional shareholder engagement with digital asset adoption. It also creates a practical distribution channel that can introduce crypto to investors who may not otherwise seek exposure on their own.

For companies, the approach may serve several objectives at once. It can modernize investor relations, align the brand with digital finance, and create a visible use case for regulated crypto custody and transfer services. For exchanges, these programs can encourage account openings, increase wallet activity and deepen corporate relationships.

Stablecoins Become a Second Growth Engine

Stablecoins have become another major driver of activity in Japan’s regulated crypto market. These tokens are designed to maintain a fixed value against fiat currencies such as the dollar or yen, making them useful for users who want blockchain-based transfers without the same price volatility associated with assets such as bitcoin and XRP.

SBI VC Trade listed USDC in March 2025, describing it as Japan’s first dollar-stablecoin listing. In June 2026, the company added Ripple’s dollar-backed RLUSD and JPYSC, a yen-pegged token it described as the country’s first trust-based yen stablecoin. The exchange also began offering lending against stablecoins, adding another product layer to its digital asset services.

The stablecoin push is important because it broadens the market beyond directional crypto exposure. Stablecoins can be used for settlement, liquidity management, remittances, treasury operations and lending activity. In a market where regulated access is central to adoption, the arrival of approved stablecoin products may help institutions and companies become more comfortable with crypto infrastructure.

RLUSD’s launch in Japan through SBI VC Trade highlights the connection between regulated local platforms and global crypto networks. The addition of a yen-pegged product, JPYSC, also gives domestic users a tokenized currency option that may be easier to understand for companies whose accounting and operations are denominated in yen.

VCTRADE and BITPOINT Integration Moves Ahead

The 2 million account milestone comes as SBI VC Trade continues to combine VCTRADE and BITPOINT following the April 2026 merger with BitPoint Japan. The company plans to fully integrate the two brands around the end of December, with the goal of cutting costs and unifying service levels.

Brand and platform integration can matter for user experience, compliance operations and product rollout. A unified structure may help the exchange standardize services for both retail and corporate clients, reduce duplicated functions and create a more consistent onboarding path. For corporate customers in particular, reliability, custody practices, reporting tools and service continuity can be decisive when considering treasury-related crypto activity.

The consolidation also arrives at a time when Japanese crypto platforms are positioning themselves for a wider range of services. Spot trading remains central, but lending, stablecoins and corporate solutions are becoming increasingly important. As the market matures, regulated exchanges may compete less on asset listings alone and more on the depth of services they provide to companies and long-term users.

Regulated Access Shapes Japan’s Crypto Expansion

Japan’s crypto sector has long been shaped by a strict approval and licensing environment. That approach has limited the pace at which some products enter the market, but it has also created a clear framework for regulated exchanges and approved offerings. The latest growth at SBI VC Trade suggests that market participants are increasingly willing to engage with crypto when access is structured through licensed channels.

Corporate adoption often depends on governance and regulatory clarity. Companies evaluating bitcoin, XRP or stablecoins must consider custody, accounting treatment, internal controls, shareholder communication and liquidity management. A regulated platform can help lower operational friction by providing approved services that fit more easily into corporate compliance processes.

Retail adoption is also evolving. While traders may still focus on price movements, stablecoins and lending services give users reasons to hold and use digital assets beyond short-term speculation. That broader utility can support more durable account growth if users see practical reasons to remain active.

Why Bitcoin and XRP Are Central to the Treasury Story

Bitcoin and XRP occupy different positions in the crypto market, which helps explain why both are appearing in Japanese corporate conversations. Bitcoin is often viewed by market participants as a scarce digital asset and a hedge-like instrument, although its price volatility means it remains a risk asset rather than a conventional safe-haven substitute.

XRP is more closely tied to payment infrastructure narratives and has a longstanding presence in discussions around cross-border settlement. In Japan, where SBI Holdings has been an important player in crypto-related financial services, XRP has remained especially visible among retail and institutional users. Its inclusion in shareholder-perk programs further reinforces its role as a familiar digital asset within the local market.

Still, corporate treasury use of crypto remains a cautious and selective trend rather than a universal shift. Companies adopting digital assets must weigh volatility, governance requirements, liquidity needs and regulatory obligations. The current momentum indicates rising interest, but it does not mean all Japanese firms are moving reserves into crypto at the same pace or for the same reasons.

Market Implications for Crypto Adoption in Japan

The rise in SBI VC Trade accounts and corporate service usage suggests that Japan’s crypto market is moving into a more diversified phase. Instead of relying only on retail trading cycles, growth is being supported by treasury diversification, shareholder benefits, stablecoin access and lending products.

For bitcoin and XRP, the trend adds another layer to demand narratives. Corporate treasury activity can be meaningful because it may involve longer planning horizons than short-term retail trading. However, such demand can also be sensitive to currency conditions, risk appetite and regulatory changes. If yen weakness remains a concern for companies, interest in alternative reserve tools may continue to attract attention from treasury teams and financial officers.

Stablecoins may be equally important to watch. Dollar-backed and yen-pegged tokens can bridge traditional finance and blockchain-based services without requiring users to take the same volatility risk as major crypto assets. Their expansion in Japan could support broader adoption across payments, lending and liquidity management, especially if regulated platforms continue to add approved services.

FXCOINZ Takeaway

Japan’s crypto adoption story is increasingly being shaped by corporate use cases, not just retail trading. SBI VC Trade’s move past 2 million registered accounts shows how regulated access, stablecoin listings, lending services and treasury diversification are converging in one of the world’s most closely supervised crypto markets.

The weak yen remains a key backdrop. As companies look beyond cash reserves, bitcoin and XRP are gaining attention as part of broader diversification strategies. At the same time, USDC, RLUSD and JPYSC are helping bring stablecoin utility into Japan’s digital asset market. The next phase will depend on how effectively platforms integrate services, how companies manage crypto-related risk and whether regulated products continue to expand within Japan’s approval framework.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are Japanese companies adding bitcoin and XRP to treasuries?

Japanese companies are showing more interest in bitcoin and XRP because a weak yen is encouraging firms to diversify reserves beyond cash. Some companies are also using bitcoin or XRP in shareholder-perk programs.

What milestone did SBI VC Trade announce?

SBI VC Trade said registered accounts across its VCTRADE and BITPOINT services have surpassed 2 million, roughly doubling from the 1 million accounts counted in 2025.

What role did the BitPoint Japan merger play?

The account milestone follows SBI VC Trade’s April 2026 merger with sister firm BitPoint Japan. The company plans to fully integrate the VCTRADE and BITPOINT brands around the end of December.

What is SBIVC for Prime?

SBIVC for Prime is SBI VC Trade’s corporate service. Use of the service has grown as companies look at crypto for treasury diversification and shareholder-related programs.

Which stablecoins are part of SBI VC Trade’s expansion?

SBI VC Trade has listed USDC and added Ripple’s dollar-backed RLUSD along with JPYSC, a yen-pegged token. The company has also started offering lending against stablecoins.

When did SBI VC Trade list USDC?

SBI VC Trade listed USDC in March 2025 and described it as Japan’s first dollar-stablecoin listing.

When were RLUSD and JPYSC added?

SBI VC Trade added Ripple’s dollar-backed RLUSD and the yen-pegged JPYSC in June 2026.

Does this mean all Japanese companies are buying crypto?

No. The trend points to rising corporate interest, but adoption remains selective. Companies still need to manage volatility, compliance, custody and treasury risk before adding digital assets.

Why are stablecoins important in Japan’s crypto market?

Stablecoins can support settlement, liquidity management and lending while reducing exposure to the price volatility of assets such as bitcoin and XRP. Their growth is helping broaden regulated crypto use in Japan.

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