Key Highlights
- SBI Group has launched a Visa credit card that converts spending rewards into BTC, ETH or XRP.
- Users must choose one cryptocurrency at application, with monthly automatic conversion through SBI VC Trade.
- A launch campaign offers up to 10% reward rates for Gold card applicants and up to 2.5% for Standard card users.
SBI Group has launched a new Visa credit card in Japan that allows users to earn cryptocurrency rewards from everyday spending, adding Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and XRP to the country’s growing crypto-linked payments market.
The “SBI VISA Crypto Card” and “SBI VISA Crypto Card Gold” were announced by SBI Holdings, SBI VC Trade, APLUS and Visa Worldwide Japan on May 1. The cards allow reward points accumulated through credit card use to be automatically converted into a cryptocurrency selected by the user.
The product does not let users spend crypto directly. Instead, it works as a credit card rewards program where accumulated points are converted once a month into Bitcoin, Ethereum, or XRP through SBI VC Trade.
How the SBI crypto rewards card works
Cardholders must choose one cryptocurrency when applying for the card. The available options are Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP. Once selected, points earned through spending are automatically exchanged into that asset without exchange fees.
To receive the crypto rewards, users need an SBI VC Trade VCTRADE account. Existing SBI VC Trade users do not need to open a new account.
The Standard card offers a normal reward rate of up to 0.8%, including a base rate of 0.5% and an additional 0.3% for revolving credit payments. The Gold card offers a normal reward rate of up to 1.3%, including a base rate of 1.0% and an additional 0.3% for revolving credit payments.
Launch campaign offers up to 10% rewards
SBI is also running a launch campaign for users who apply between May 1 and May 31, 2026.
Under the campaign, Standard card users can receive a reward rate of up to 2.5%, including the normal 0.5% rate and an additional campaign reward of 2.0%. The campaign benefit is capped at 1,500 points.
Gold card users can receive up to 10%, including the normal 1.0% rate and an additional 9.0% campaign reward. The campaign benefit is capped at 5,000 points.
The campaign reward period runs from May 1 to August 5, 2026.
Gold card adds extra crypto benefit
The SBI VISA Crypto Card Gold also includes an annual spending benefit. If total card spending exceeds 2 million yen during the calculation period from April 1 to March 31 of the following year, users will receive cryptocurrency equivalent to the annual fee of 6,600 yen.
The Standard card is free for the first year and costs 1,650 yen from the second year, though the fee is waived if annual usage exceeds 100,000 yen. The Gold card is also free for the first year and costs 6,600 yen from the second year.
The Gold card also includes additional services such as travel accident insurance, shopping protection and limited airport lounge access.
SBI pushes crypto into everyday finance
The launch marks another step in SBI Group’s effort to connect traditional financial services with digital assets.
SBI VC Trade already operates as a crypto asset exchange in Japan, while APLUS handles consumer finance and card services within the SBI Shinsei Bank group. Visa provides the card payment network.
The product is significant because it frames crypto accumulation as a passive rewards feature rather than a trading activity. Users can earn Bitcoin, Ethereum or XRP through regular card spending without manually buying the assets each month.
For XRP, the card also carries added attention because SBI has long been one of Ripple’s most visible partners in Japan. By placing XRP beside Bitcoin and Ethereum in a mainstream credit card rewards product, SBI is extending the token’s role into consumer-facing financial services.
Also Read: SBI Holdings Targets Bitbank Buyout to Expand Japan Crypto Empire
