Financial institutions SBI and Franklin Templeton planning to introduce exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP) in Japan.
In a significant move for the Japanese cryptocurrency market, SBI Global Asset Management and Franklin Templeton have announced plans to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP. The joint venture, which combines Franklin Templeton's comprehensive suite of investment products with SBI's financial reach and digital infrastructure in Japan, is pending regulatory approval.
The announcement was made during SBI's financial results presentation for Q1 FY2026. If approved, the SBI-Franklin JV could become the first domestic issuer of multi-asset crypto ETFs, including BTC, ETH, and XRP. This initiative is part of a broader joint venture, as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in July 2024, to expand digital asset access in Japan.
SBI has a long-standing support for XRP and Ripple, and the potential ETF venture may include an XRP ETF, leveraging SBI's historic alliance with the company. The move aligns with SBI's broader strategy to integrate cryptocurrency into mainstream finance while operating under regulatory oversight.
Franklin Templeton, with over $27 billion in ETF assets as of June 30, 2024, and over ¥300 trillion in assets under management, operates a robust ETF platform with over 100 active and indexed ETFs. The firm has already launched Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs abroad and is actively exploring tokenized money market funds.
The official timing for the launch of the BTC, ETH, and XRP ETFs depends on Japan’s regulatory approval of crypto ETFs, which has not yet been granted as of July 2025. The firms have announced preparations toward offering these ETFs but await the Financial Services Agency’s clearance to proceed.
SBI has been expanding XRP adoption in Japan through innovative programs like the Aplus credit card rewards program launched in July 2025, which allows users to convert reward points directly to XRP, BTC, or ETH. However, this rewards program is distinct from the ETF launch and does not indicate the ETF's launch date.
If digital asset ETFs receive legal clearance, the SBI-Franklin JV aims to position Japan as a global hub for regulated crypto investment products, competing with markets like Hong Kong and the U.S. The new firm intends to offer low-correlation, diversified crypto products to meet evolving investor needs and expand digital asset access in Japan.
The SBI-Franklin JV will be majority-owned by SBI (51%) and minority-held by Franklin Templeton (49%). SBI's involvement in the ETF plan indicates ongoing optimism for the future of tokenized assets and blockchain-based finance.
[1] Source: SBI and Franklin Templeton Announce Plans for Crypto ETFs in Japan [2] Source: SBI Launches XRP Rewards Program for Aplus Credit Card Users [3] Source: Japan's SBI Group to Launch XRP Rewards Program for Aplus Credit Card Users [4] Source: SBI Group Expands XRP Adoption in Japan Through Aplus Credit Card Rewards Program
- The joint venture between SBI Global Asset Management and Franklin Templeton, pending regulatory approval, plans to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP, thereby entering the Japanese cryptocurrency market.
- If approved, the SBI-Franklin joint venture could become the first domestic issuer of multi-asset crypto ETFs, including BTC, ETH, and XRP, as a part of a broader joint venture to expand digital asset access in Japan.
- Franklin Templeton, with substantial experience in ETF management, operates a robust ETF platform and has already launched Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs abroad, indicating their active exploration of tokenized money market funds.
- The official launch of the BTC, ETH, and XRP ETFs depends on Japan’s regulatory approval of crypto ETFs, with the firms having announced preparations toward offering these ETFs but awaiting the Financial Services Agency’s clearance to proceed.
- SBI's ongoing optimism for the future of tokenized assets and blockchain-based finance is evident in its plans for the ETF launch and the Aplus credit card rewards program, which allows users to convert reward points directly to XRP, BTC, or ETH.
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