Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings has announced its intention to acquire a majority stake in Coinhako, one of Singapore's oldest and most prominent digital asset platforms. According to an announcement released on February 13, 2026, SBI Ventures Asset Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of SBI Holdings, has signed a letter of intent to provide investment capital to the Coinhako Group and acquire shares from several existing shareholders. Upon completion, Coinhako is expected to become a consolidated subsidiary of SBI Holdings.
This strategic acquisition is positioned as a central component of SBI's global digital asset strategy. The company aims to combine Coinhako's decade-long operational expertise with SBI's substantial financial resources to create what it calls a "next-generation digital asset powerhouse in Asia." Coinhako operates under Hako Technology Pte. Ltd., a Major Payment Institution licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and Alpha Hako Ltd., which is regulated in the British Virgin Islands.
Yoshitaka Kitao, Chairman and President of SBI Holdings, emphasized that the acquisition represents a "solid step" toward expanding a global corridor for digital assets, including tokenized stocks and stablecoins. Yusho Liu, Co-founder and CEO of Coinhako, stated that alignment with SBI accelerates their mission to be the premier digital asset hub for Asia and ensures Singapore remains central to the next-generation financial system as demand for tokenized assets surges.
Separately, CEO Yoshitaka Kitao publicly corrected a widespread claim regarding SBI's cryptocurrency holdings. He rejected assertions that the group holds $10 billion worth of XRP tokens, clarifying that SBI's exposure comes through an equity stake in Ripple Labs, not a direct token position. Kitao stated that SBI owns "more than 9%" of Ripple Labs, which he described as a "hidden asset" within the company. Recent private market estimates have placed Ripple's valuation above $50 billion, making a 9% stake worth approximately $4.5 billion on paper.
This acquisition follows a series of moves by SBI in the digital asset sector, including a recent announcement with Startale Labs for a new blockchain for tokenized securities trading. The deal also aligns with a broader trend of consolidation in Singapore's regulated crypto market, exemplified by IG Group's recent acquisition of another MAS-licensed exchange, Independent Reserve. The specific methods for SBI's capital injection and share acquisition in Coinhako remain under discussion and are subject to regulatory approvals.
