SBI Shinsei Bank starts crypto voucher pilot for deposits

A major Japanese bank is launching a pilot program that will reward depositors with cryptocurrency, marking a significant step in blending traditional banking with digital assets. Starting Wednesday, June 10, 2026, SBI Shinsei Bank will allow customers to receive a portion of their deposit interest in the form of exchange vouchers redeemable for Bitcoin, Ethereum, or XRP.

According to reports, depositors will continue to receive their standard yen-denominated interest. On top of that, they will receive vouchers worth an additional 20% of that interest payment. To redeem the vouchers, customers must open an account with SBI VC Trade, the bank's affiliated cryptocurrency exchange. The pilot is set to run for three months, covering both ordinary deposits and time deposits ranging from three months to five years, with an expectation to transition to a permanent service by the fall.

The initiative is designed to serve as a low-friction introduction to digital assets for mainstream bank customers, potentially exposing millions of depositors to cryptocurrency without requiring them to make direct purchases. A key goal is to pull in first-time crypto users by using a familiar banking...