SBI’s Kitao Spotlights Ripple in 2026 ’Fire Horse’ Year Forecast - A Bullish Signal for Crypto Finance?
Ripple just got a powerful nod from one of Asia's biggest financial players. SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao is looking straight at 2026, calling it a 'Fire Horse' year—and XRP is squarely in his sights.
The Institutional Whisper
Forget retail hype. This is institutional foresight. Kitao's mention isn't casual; it's a strategic forecast from a firm that's built its digital asset playbook around Ripple's technology for years. When a traditional finance titan points to a specific crypto asset and a specific year, the market leans in.
Why 2026 Matters
The 'Fire Horse' label isn't just poetic. In finance, it signals a period of aggressive transformation and volatile opportunity. Kitao is betting that the regulatory fog will have cleared by then, and the infrastructure built today—much of it on RippleNet—will be processing value at a scale that makes current volumes look quaint. It’s a timeline that bypasses short-term noise for long-term utility.
The Ripple Edge in a Tokenized World
This forecast hinges on real-world use, not speculative fervor. SBI's vision for 2026 likely involves borderless settlements, tokenized assets, and legacy systems finally catching up. Ripple’s established corridors with banks and payment providers position it not as a disruptor, but as the plumbing for the next financial system. It’s a boring, essential, and potentially massive role.
The Cynical Take
Of course, in traditional finance, a 'strategic forecast' from a major partner often reads as a well-timed nudge to keep stakeholders patient—because what’s a few more years when you’ve already bet the farm?
The Bottom Line
Kitao’s 2026 call cuts through the daily crypto chatter. It’s a reminder that while traders watch charts, institutions are building foundations. Ripple’s special mention isn't about price predictions; it's about being named a cornerstone for a future that’s already under construction. The 'Fire Horse' is coming—and the smart money is laying the track now.
Yoshitaka Kitao, CEO of SBI Holdings, has shared a thoughtful message linking ancient history with modern technology, as Japan prepares for the rare “Fire Horse” year of 2026, a cycle that appears only once every 60 years. In his remarks, Kitao opened up about how this period is often seen as powerful but demanding, especially for businesses enjoying success.
A Warning During Good Times
Kitao explained that even when a company is doing well, danger can quietly build up. He warned that arrogance and overconfidence are the biggest threats during periods of growth. According to him, strong leadership requires clear judgment and courage, especially when things seem to be going smoothly.
Long-Term Vision Over Short-Term Noise
Looking beyond 2026, Kitao stressed the importance of thinking in decades, not quarters. He reminded readers that as far back as 2018, SBI identified AI and blockchain as the technologies that would drive the biggest changes in society. Since then, the group has consistently invested in these areas and built a full crypto ecosystem.
Ripple Gets a Special Spotlight
Additionally, Ripple Labs received a special mention. Kitao revealed that SBI invested in Ripple around ten years ago, acquiring roughly 10% of the company. Today, that early decision has paid off, with blockchain and crypto-related businesses becoming a major source of revenue for the SBI Group. This long-term partnership shows how early belief in blockchain technology is now shaping real-world financial systems.
“Furthermore, it was about ten years ago that we invested in Ripple Labs in the U.S. and acquired approximately 10% of its shares. Needless to say, these fields currently play a major role in the SBI Group’s revenue stream,” he wrote.
A Year of Truth and Clarity
The SBI chief also described 2026 as a year when hidden problems come into the open. Long-ignored issues, he said, will become impossible to ignore. He pointed to recent global and Japanese examples where long-standing allegations are now being exposed. His message was simple: businesses must stay honest, disciplined, and careful in their actions.
