Starting June 10, SBI Shinsei Bank customers can opt to receive part of their savings account interest as bitcoin, ether, or XRP vouchers. The Japanese lender will credit vouchers worth 20% of the interest earned on ordinary savings accounts, marking one of the more direct integrations of crypto rewards into a traditional bank deposit product, according to Nikkei.
Pilot details
The three-month pilot applies only to regular savings accounts. Depositors don't need to open a separate crypto wallet — the bank will issue the vouchers, which can then be redeemed for the underlying cryptocurrency. The 20% figure is a bonus on top of the base interest, meaning a saver earning ¥1,000 in interest would get ¥200 worth of vouchers in the coin of their choice.
Traditional Japanese banks have largely steered clear of direct crypto exposure, but SBI Shinsei is part of the SBI group, which already runs a crypto exchange (SBI VC Trade) and has deep ties to the digital-asset industry. The pilot lets the bank test demand without committing to a permanent product. If uptake is strong, the program could expand or become permanent — though the bank hasn't said what comes after September.
The Nikkei report
Nikkei characterized the integration as one of the more direct examples of a mainstream bank weaving crypto into a standard deposit product. That's a contrast to earlier efforts that required customers to open separate trading accounts or invest in crypto-linked funds.
The choice of Bitcoin, ether, and XRP mirrors the assets available on SBI VC Trade. XRP has a particular resonance in Japan, where SBI has been a longtime Ripple partner.
What happens after the pilot
The pilot runs through early September 2026. SBI Shinsei hasn't disclosed enrollment numbers yet, but the bank will likely assess whether the vouchers actually attract new depositors or just reward existing ones. For now, it's a small experiment — but one that brings crypto rewards a step closer to the average Japanese saver.
