SBI Holdings pivots to multichain strategy with Canton Network unit

Rebranded as SBI Digital Practice Co. Ltd. as of June 22, the Roppongi-based unit is tasked with building financial infrastructure, managing regulatory compliance, and developing cross-border transaction systems. Under the leadership of representative director Ryo Shimotsu, the subsidiary will function as a specialized arm for institutional blockchain adoption. SBI, which already serves as a Super Validator for the Canton Network, intends to leverage the platform's privacy-focused architecture to facilitate the migration of traditional financial products onto distributed ledgers.

This restructuring does not signal an exit from Ripple. SBI Ripple Asia continues to manage payment infrastructure and token issuance across the Asia-Pacific region, maintaining a strategy that treats different blockchains as specialized tools. While Ripple remains the primary choice for payment-centric operations, the Canton Network is positioned to handle complex securities and private institutional settlements. The firm’s broader digital asset portfolio now spans Solana-based equity tokens, Ondo Finance partnerships for yen-backed stablecoins, and the recent acquisition of a majority stake in the Singaporean exchange Coinhako.

By aligning with the Canton Network, SBI gains indirect connectivity to U.S. Treasury tokenization initiatives involving the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation. With over 600 institutions currently participating in the Canton ecosystem, the Japanese firm is betting that a diversified network approach will better serve institutional clients navigating the evolving global regulatory landscape.