Ripple IPO Is Not A Pipe Dream: Industry Expert Predicts When XRP Investors Should Expect Public Listing
SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao predicted Ripple will go public in approximately 12 years (around 2038) and pledged to invest $626 million to $1.25 billion when it does, marking one of the clearest IPO timelines from a major shareholder. This statement contrasts with Ripple executives' consistent messaging that the company remains focused on staying private with sufficient capital reserves.
Yoshitaka Kitao's IPO prediction carries significant weight given SBI Holdings' position as Ripple's largest external shareholder with a 9% stake and a decade-long partnership dating to 2016. The CEO's willingness to commit $626 million to $1.25 billion upon listing demonstrates confidence in Ripple's long-term trajectory, yet his 12-year timeline (placing the IPO outside current crypto cycles) suggests the company faces no immediate pressure to pursue public markets.
Ripple's resistance to IPO discussions reflects its operational strength and capital position. The company raised $500 million at a $40 billion valuation in late 2025 while maintaining full control, and CEO Brad Garlinghouse explicitly stated the company lacks funding needs. This privately-backed strength allows Ripple to expand into custody, stablecoins, and real-world asset tokenization without external capital constraints that might force premature public offerings.
Kitao's comments carry diplomatic nuance—he frames the IPO as inevitable while respecting Ripple's stated preference for remaining private. The distinction matters for investors: major stakeholders see public listing as eventual strategy, not immediate priority. The extended timeline reduces near-term IPO speculation that could distract from product development.
For the broader market, this signals confidence from institutional backers in Ripple's regulatory and competitive positioning post-SEC settlement. The 2038 horizon suggests stakeholders believe sufficient value creation remains achievable through private growth, with eventual public listing serving as a later capital optimization event rather than existential necessity.
- →SBI Holdings CEO projects Ripple IPO around 2038, with commitment to invest $626M-$1.25B at listing
- →Ripple leadership continues maintaining the company does not need public markets funding given strong balance sheet
- →The 12-year timeline places potential listing outside current crypto cycles, reducing near-term IPO speculation
- →SBI's 9% stake and long partnership since 2016 give Kitao credibility as insider rather than external commentator
- →Ripple's $40 billion valuation and $500M raise in late 2025 demonstrate private market strength without IPO necessity