Crypto news

Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings has officially signed an agreement to acquire the local cryptocurrency exchange Bitbank. The transaction amount is 46.7 billion yen, equivalent to approximately $288.6 million. The purchase will be carried out through its subsidiary SBICAH LLC.

The deal is scheduled to close in October 2026. This timeline is due to the need for approval from Japan's antitrust regulator, as well as the fulfillment of several other legal and regulatory conditions. After all procedures are completed, Bitbank will become an indirect 100% subsidiary of SBI Holdings.

Scale of the Merger: Figures and Prospects

According to analysts' estimates, the merger of SBI's current crypto exchange — SBI VC Trade — with Bitbank will create a powerful market player. The total volume of client crypto assets under management will reach 1.1 trillion yen (about $6.8 billion), and the total number of serviced accounts will exceed 2.92 million. This places the new entity on par with the largest crypto platforms not only in Japan but also in the Asia-Pacific region.

Founded in 2014, Bitbank is one of the oldest and most regulated exchanges in Japan. It has weathered several market cycles and earned trust from both retail and institutional investors. For SBI Holdings, which is actively developing its blockchain division, this acquisition is not just a portfolio expansion but a strategic move to consolidate the market.

My expert perspective: This deal is a clear signal that major traditional financial institutions continue to actively absorb crypto infrastructure, seeking direct access to client bases and liquidity. Japan remains one of the most progressive yet strictest jurisdictions for crypto businesses, and SBI is evidently betting that regulated scale will become a key competitive advantage in the next bull cycle. Market attention is now focused on how the integration will proceed and whether this deal will be followed by other major acquisitions in the region.