SBI to Acquire Bitbank for $288.6 Million, Creating Largest Crypto Group in Japan

SBI Holdings to Acquire Bitbank for $288.6 Million – Deal Creates Japan’s Largest Regulated Crypto Exchange Group

Key Takeaways

• SBI Holdings has agreed to acquire Japanese crypto exchange Bitbank for 46.7 billion yen, approximately $288.6 million.
• The transaction will make Bitbank a wholly owned subsidiary of SBI Group through SBICAH GK.
• The combined group is expected to hold about 2.92 million crypto asset accounts and around 1.1 trillion yen in assets under custody.
• The deal is subject to approval from the Japan Fair Trade Commission and is expected to close around October 2026.
• Bitbank stated that the acquisition will not affect its services for existing customers.

Transaction Structure and Timeline

SBI Holdings signed agreements on June 24 to acquire all shares of Bitbank in a transaction valued at 46.7 billion yen, or approximately $288.6 million. The acquisition will be carried out through SBICAH GK, an investment arm of SBI Group. Once completed, Bitbank will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary.

The deal is structured in two phases. In the first step, SBI will acquire shares held by Bitbank’s founders and individual shareholders. This phase is scheduled for August 2026. In the second step, Bitbank will buy out shares currently held by corporate investors MIXI and Ceres. That stage is expected to be finalized by the end of October 2026.

The transaction remains subject to clearance from the Japan Fair Trade Commission and other standard closing conditions. Both companies have indicated that completion is expected around October 2026, assuming regulatory approval is granted.

Creation of Japan’s Largest Regulated Crypto Exchange Group

Following completion, the combined operations of SBI and Bitbank are expected to form the largest regulated crypto exchange group in Japan by trading volume. The group will integrate Bitbank with SBI VC Trade, SBI’s existing crypto exchange unit.

According to the announcement, the merged operation will account for an estimated 2.92 million crypto asset accounts. Assets under custody are projected to total approximately 1.1 trillion yen, equivalent to about $6.8 billion. On this basis, the enlarged group would surpass domestic competitors such as bitFlyer and Coincheck in trading volume.

The acquisition is described as the largest consolidation move in Japan’s regulated crypto market to date. For market participants, this signals a continued trend toward concentration among licensed operators.

SBI’s Ongoing Consolidation Strategy

The Bitbank acquisition follows a series of consolidation steps by SBI in Japan’s digital asset sector. In April 2026, SBI VC Trade absorbed Bitpoint Japan. With the addition of Bitbank, SBI further expands its footprint in exchange operations and custody services.

Bitbank has operated in Japan’s regulated crypto market for more than a decade. According to the company, it has recorded zero hacking incidents since launch. Its integration into SBI’s broader financial group brings together an established exchange brand with a large financial services conglomerate.

Bitbank CEO Noriyuki Hirosue is among the shareholders selling their stakes as part of the transaction. The deal marks the exit of a founder who built the exchange over more than ten years.

Regulatory Environment and Industry Changes

The acquisition takes place during a period of potential regulatory change in Japan’s crypto sector. Japanese authorities are examining whether digital assets should be brought under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. A reclassification could take effect as early as fiscal 2027.

If implemented, such a change would subject crypto exchange operators to stricter compliance requirements. In that context, scale and capital resources become increasingly relevant for exchange operators. The consolidation of platforms under larger groups may influence how the market adapts to tighter regulatory standards.

The pending review by the Japan Fair Trade Commission will determine whether the transaction can proceed as planned. Regulatory clearance is therefore a key remaining step before the merger is finalized.

Expansion Beyond Exchange Trading

The acquisition of Bitbank forms part of a broader expansion of SBI’s crypto related activities. On the same day the deal was announced, SBI launched JPYSC, described as Japan’s first trust bank backed yen stablecoin.

The group also introduced a Visa branded rewards card that converts spending into Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies through SBI VC Trade. In addition, SBI completed a co launch of Ripple’s RLUSD dollar stablecoin in Japan.

These initiatives indicate that SBI’s crypto strategy extends beyond spot trading. The group is building exposure across exchange services, custody, stablecoins, and crypto linked payments. By integrating Bitbank, SBI increases its scale within this broader ecosystem.

Impact on Bitbank Users

Bitbank informed its customers that the acquisition will not affect existing services. Users can continue trading and using the platform during the ownership transfer. No operational disruptions have been announced in connection with the transition.

For account holders, the immediate structure of services remains unchanged. The key development is at the ownership and corporate level rather than in day to day trading conditions.

Our Assessment

SBI Holdings’ agreement to acquire Bitbank for 46.7 billion yen represents the largest consolidation in Japan’s regulated crypto exchange market so far. Once completed, the transaction will combine nearly 3 million accounts and approximately 1.1 trillion yen in assets under custody under a single group. The deal remains subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close around October 2026. In parallel, SBI continues to expand into stablecoins and crypto linked payment products, positioning the enlarged group across multiple segments of Japan’s digital asset sector.