SBI Holdings
Japanese financial-services holding company whose group operates online securities, banking, insurance, asset-management, venture-investment, digital-asset, biotechnology and education businesses.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
SBI Holdings is the central holding company of the SBI Group, a Japanese financial-services conglomerate headquartered in Tokyo. The group developed from a financial-business reorganization within SoftBank in 1999 and has since become an independent corporate group with a broad portfolio spanning securities brokerage, banking, insurance, asset management, venture capital, digital assets, biotechnology and education. Its operating model has historically emphasized internet distribution, technology-enabled financial services, lower-cost access and partnerships with companies outside the traditional financial sector. The company was established in 1999 as SOFTBANK INVESTMENT CORPORATION, initially combining financial-business oversight with a venture-capital and investment focus. Its early expansion was closely associated with online securities trading. E*TRADE SECURITIES, later renamed SBI SECURITIES, provided an important foundation for the group’s internet-based financial ecosystem. SBI listed on the JASDAQ market in December 2000 and subsequently obtained listings on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Securities Exchange. In 2005, it adopted the SBI Holdings name and moved to a holding-company structure. The group became independent of SoftBank in 2006 after SoftBank’s subsidiary sold its entire stake. SBI’s financial-services operations include retail and institutional securities, online foreign-exchange trading, banking, insurance, and financial technology. SBI SECURITIES is one of the group’s principal operating companies. SBI Shinsei Bank, which became a consolidated subsidiary after SBI’s successful tender offer and related transactions in 2021, expanded the group’s banking presence. SBI Sumishin Net Bank was established as an internet-focused banking business, while SBI Insurance and related companies extended the group into insurance. The group has also pursued regional-bank partnerships and a regional-bank holding-company strategy intended to provide participating banks with shared technology, infrastructure and financial resources. Beyond conventional financial services, SBI operates investment and asset-management businesses that finance or incubate start-ups and growth companies. Its Open Alliance approach seeks collaborative relationships with businesses possessing capabilities in fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing and other technologies. The group has also established or acquired businesses involving cryptocurrency and digital-asset trading, including SBI VC Trade and related digital-asset entities. International activities have included securities, banking, investment and representative operations in markets such as Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, China, Malaysia and other jurisdictions. The SBI portfolio is broader than finance. Its biotechnology-related activities have included research, development and commercialization connected with pharmaceuticals, health foods and cosmetics. The group also operates SBI Graduate School, reflecting an interest in professional and business education. In 2023, SBI announced a basic agreement with Taiwan-based Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation to prepare for a potential semiconductor manufacturing project in Japan, demonstrating the group’s willingness to extend its investment platform into strategic industrial technology. SBI’s strategic identity is therefore that of a technology-oriented financial holding company rather than a single consumer product brand. It uses a collection of specialized subsidiaries, joint ventures, alliances and investment vehicles to build an interconnected financial ecosystem. Its major strategic relationships have included the SMBC-SBI Alliance with Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and cooperation with regional banks, technology companies and overseas financial institutions. The group remains active, with SBI Holdings serving as the principal corporate vehicle for the wider SBI Group.
History
SBI Holdings originated in the financial reorganization associated with SoftBank in 1999. In April of that year, Softbank Finance Corporation became an independent entity responsible for financial-related activities, and in July the business was established as SOFTBANK INVESTMENT CORPORATION. It began with venture-capital activities and quickly expanded into internet securities through E*TRADE SECURITIES, which commenced online trading services in October 1999. Softbank Ventures, later renamed SBI Investment, became a wholly owned subsidiary and supplied an investment and incubation foundation for the emerging group. The company entered public markets in December 2000 through a JASDAQ listing. It subsequently listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in February 2002 and on the First Section of the Osaka Securities Exchange later that year. During the early 2000s, the group broadened its corporate base through mergers and integrations, including the combination with E-Trade and the integration of SBI Real Estate. In July 2005, SOFTBANK INVESTMENT changed its name to SBI Holdings and adopted a holding-company structure. In 2006, SoftBank’s subsidiary sold its remaining stake, completing SBI’s independence from the SoftBank group. The independent SBI Group then built a multi-line financial ecosystem. SBI Japannext began operating a proprietary trading system in 2007. SBI Sumishin Net Bank commenced operations in the same period, creating an internet-centered banking platform, and SBI Insurance began operations in 2008. E*TRADE SECURITIES was renamed SBI SECURITIES in 2008, making the SBI brand more consistent across the group’s principal retail brokerage business. SBI also developed overseas activities, including a representative office in Malaysia, an investment in Indonesia’s BNI Securities, operations in Thailand, and further businesses in China and other Asian markets. During the 2010s, SBI continued to extend its financial and technology portfolio. It listed a subsidiary on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2011 and later delisted it in 2014. The group established businesses in foreign exchange, biotechnology and digital assets, including SBI VC Trade, originally established as SBI Virtual Currencies in 2016. It also pursued financial-technology joint ventures, such as JAL SBI FinTech, and partnerships involving digital platforms and consumer-distribution channels. SBI Insurance Group was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market in 2018. In 2019, SBI established SBI NEOMOBILE SECURITIES with CCC Marketing, formed a financial-services alliance with the Z Holdings group, opened a Philippine representative office and created a German subsidiary. SBI’s strategy increasingly emphasized alliances and shared technology. Its Open Alliance concept, described in the group’s 2020 annual-report strategy, called for collaboration with businesses possessing advanced capabilities in fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing and other fields. The same period saw expansion through acquisitions and partnerships. SBI acquired a Cambodian microfinance institution and obtained a banking license, purchased Livestar Securities, and acquired TaoTao, a crypto-asset exchange operator. SBI Digital Asset Holdings also announced plans with SIX Group for a Singapore-based exchange venture. Banking became a central strategic priority in the early 2020s. SBI established a capital and business relationship with the SMBC Group, later known as the SMBC-SBI Alliance. It also entered capital and business arrangements with regional banks, including the Bank of Tsukuba and Daiko Bank. SBI’s tender offer for Shinsei Bank in 2021 led to Shinsei becoming a consolidated subsidiary in December of that year. In 2022, SBI and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group announced a comprehensive capital and business alliance, while the Financial Services Agency approved the bank holding-company structure linked to SBI Regional Bank Holdings. The group has continued to operate outside traditional finance. Its biotechnology businesses conduct research, development and manufacturing connected with pharmaceuticals, health foods and cosmetics, and SBI Graduate School provides business and professional education. In 2023, SBI announced a basic agreement with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation to prepare for a possible semiconductor manufacturing facility in Japan. This initiative illustrated the group’s broader investment approach: using financial expertise, technology partnerships and corporate alliances to enter strategically important industries. SBI Holdings remains the principal holding company for the active SBI Group, with operations centered on financial services but extending into investment, digital assets, biotechnology, education and selected technology-intensive industries.
- 2023
Preliminary semiconductor-manufacturing agreement
[1]SBI announced a basic agreement with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation concerning preparations for a possible semiconductor factory in Japan.
- 2022
Comprehensive SMBC-SBI alliance
[1]SBI Holdings and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group announced a comprehensive capital and business alliance.
- 2021
Shinsei Bank becomes a consolidated subsidiary
[1]Following SBI’s tender offer and related transactions, Shinsei Bank became part of the consolidated SBI Group.
- 2020
Expansion through banking and digital-asset acquisitions
[1]SBI acquired a Cambodian microfinance institution, Livestar Securities and TaoTao, while developing additional digital-asset ventures.
- 2018
SBI Insurance Group listing
[1]SBI Insurance Group was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market.
- 2016
Entry into virtual-currency services
[1]SBI established SBI Virtual Currencies, later known as SBI VC Trade, to provide digital-asset exchange and trading services.
- 2011
Expansion into Indonesia and Malaysia
[1]SBI Securities agreed to acquire a minority stake in PT BNI Securities, and SBI opened a representative office in Kuala Lumpur.
- 2008
Expansion into banking and insurance
[1]SBI Sumishin Net Bank and SBI Insurance commenced operations, extending SBI’s internet-based financial ecosystem.
- 2007
Launch of proprietary trading-system operations
[1]SBI Japannext began operating a proprietary trading system in Japan.
- 2006
Independence from SoftBank
[1]SoftBank’s subsidiary sold its entire stake in SBI Holdings, completing the group’s separation from SoftBank.
Products and positioning
A technology-oriented Japanese financial holding group built around internet-based financial services, broad subsidiary capabilities, venture investment and strategic alliances.
Online securities brokerage · 1999
SBI SECURITIES
SBI SECURITIES is the group’s principal securities business and developed from E*TRADE SECURITIES, which began internet trading in 1999. It provides online brokerage and related securities services in the SBI financial ecosystem. The business has been central to SBI’s technology-led distribution model and helped establish the group’s identity as an internet-oriented financial-services provider.
Banking · 2021
SBI Shinsei Bank
SBI Shinsei Bank is the group’s major banking platform. It became a consolidated SBI subsidiary in December 2021 after SBI’s tender offer and related transactions involving Shinsei Bank. Its addition expanded SBI’s banking capabilities and supported the group’s strategy of combining established financial infrastructure with SBI’s digital channels, technology resources and regional-bank initiatives.
Digital banking · 2007
SBI Sumishin Net Bank
SBI Sumishin Net Bank was established as an internet-focused banking business and began operations in the late 2000s. It represents SBI’s early push to provide banking services through online channels rather than a traditional branch-centered model. The business forms part of the group’s broader digital financial ecosystem.
Insurance · 2008
SBI Insurance
SBI Insurance is the group’s insurance business, launched as part of SBI’s effort to build a full financial-services platform. It extends the group beyond securities and banking into risk protection and insurance distribution. SBI Insurance Group was separately listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market in 2018.
Asset management and venture capital · 1999
SBI Investments
SBI Investments is the group’s investment and venture-capital platform, tracing its corporate lineage to Softbank Ventures. It invests in and incubates startup and growth companies and supports SBI’s Open Alliance approach. The business helps connect the group with emerging technologies and companies in fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain and other fields.
Digital-asset exchange · 2016
SBI VC Trade
SBI VC Trade provides virtual-currency and digital-asset exchange and trading services. It originated as SBI Virtual Currencies, established in 2016, and forms part of SBI’s wider digital-asset strategy. Related SBI entities have also pursued institutional digital-asset infrastructure and overseas exchange ventures.
Biotechnology and healthcare products
SBI biotechnology businesses
SBI’s biotechnology-related activities cover research, development and manufacturing connected with pharmaceuticals, health foods and cosmetics. These operations broaden the group beyond financial services and reflect its use of investment, incubation and commercialization capabilities in healthcare and life-science fields.
Business education
SBI Graduate School
SBI Graduate School is the group’s education business. It provides a business-school platform within the wider SBI ecosystem and complements the group’s focus on finance, entrepreneurship, investment and management capabilities.
Brand decisions
2023
Preparatory agreement for a semiconductor factory in JapanOtherBackground
SBI pursued investment opportunities in strategically important technology industries beyond its core financial businesses.
Action taken
The group announced a basic agreement with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation to establish a preparatory company for a possible semiconductor factory in Japan.
Aftermath
The announcement positioned SBI as a potential financial and corporate participant in Japan’s semiconductor-manufacturing expansion.
2022
Comprehensive SMBC-SBI AllianceStrategyBackground
SBI and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group had been developing a strategic relationship involving capital and business cooperation.
Action taken
The companies announced a comprehensive capital and business alliance, commonly referred to as the SMBC-SBI Alliance.
Aftermath
The alliance created a formal framework for cooperation between SBI’s technology-oriented financial businesses and SMFG’s financial infrastructure.
2021
Tender offer and consolidation of Shinsei BankM&ABackground
SBI sought to increase its scale and capabilities in Japanese banking.
Action taken
SBI conducted a tender offer for Shinsei Bank, which became a consolidated subsidiary in December 2021.
Aftermath
The transaction made Shinsei Bank a major component of SBI’s banking strategy and expanded the group’s financial-services platform.
2020
Open Alliance strategyStrategyBackground
SBI aimed to expand corporate value and social value by collaborating with technology companies and businesses outside traditional finance.
Action taken
The group promoted an Open Alliance model involving companies with capabilities in fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing and other technologies.
Aftermath
The approach supported later partnerships and investments across digital assets, regional banking, technology and industrial businesses.
2020
Acquisitions of Livestar Securities and TaoTaoM&ABackground
SBI was expanding its online brokerage and digital-asset capabilities.
Action taken
SBI acquired all shares of Livestar Securities and TaoTao, making both businesses wholly owned within the relevant SBI structure.
Aftermath
The acquisitions strengthened SBI’s Japanese online-securities and crypto-asset businesses.
2019
Regional-bank consolidation initiativeStrategyBackground
SBI sought to apply its technology and financial infrastructure to Japan’s regional-banking sector.
Action taken
The group announced plans to create a fourth Japanese megabank by consolidating or coordinating several regional banks, potentially involving up to ten institutions.
Aftermath
The initiative developed into a broader regional-bank holding-company and alliance strategy involving multiple Japanese banks.
2005
Adoption of the SBI Holdings name and holding-company structureStrategyBackground
The company had expanded beyond its original investment and venture-capital activities into a broader financial-services portfolio.
Action taken
It changed its name from SOFTBANK INVESTMENT to SBI Holdings and reorganized as a holding company.
Aftermath
The new structure provided the corporate framework for managing securities, banking, insurance, investment and later non-financial subsidiaries.
Recent events
SBI Holdings announces $100 million investment in Erebor Bank[3]
Reported:
SBI Holdings announced that its U.S. subsidiary would invest $100 million in Erebor Bank. SBI said the investment was intended to build its relationship with Erebor and strengthen its U.S. business foundation; the article says no specific cooperation services or ownership stake had been disclosed.
SBI Group and Fuji Media Group announce plan to establish a merged company[4]
Reported:
SBI Group and Fuji Media Group were reported to plan to establish a merged company with capital of 100 million yen, equally split between them.
OneConnect launches SBI OneConnect Japan[5]
Reported:
OneConnect launched SBI OneConnect Japan in Tokyo as a joint initiative with SBI Holdings. The platform offers cloud-powered and AI-enhanced technology services to local financial institutions to assist with their digital transformation efforts.
Ripple secures $200 million in Series C funding[6]
Reported:
Ripple announced that it secured $200 million in a Series C funding round led by Tetragon, with participation from SBI Holdings and Route 66 Ventures. Ripple said the investment would expedite onboarding new global talent.
Sendo secures $61 million in Series C financing[7]
Reported:
Vietnamese e-commerce marketplace Sendo announced that it secured $61 million in Series C financing, its largest financing round to date. The company said the funds would support expansion of its platform offering and investment in AI and machine learning.
Sources7 sources
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