Ripple-backed SBI VC Trade to manage WIZE’s Solana treasury

SBI VC Trade, the cryptocurrency exchange backed by Ripple through SBI Group, will manage WIZE’s Solana-focused treasury, according to announcements from both companies. The arrangement pairs a regulated Japanese crypto exchange with a firm looking to hold SOL as a corporate treasury asset.

What the treasury arrangement covers

WIZE announced on June 4 that SBI VC Trade will oversee the management of its Solana treasury holdings, as detailed in a company press release. The deal positions SBI VC Trade as a custodial and management partner for WIZE’s digital asset reserves denominated in SOL.

Specific terms of the arrangement, including the size of the treasury or the fee structure, have not been publicly disclosed. The confirmed scope is limited to the treasury management relationship itself.

SBI VC Trade published its own notice confirming the partnership on its official newsroom. Japanese crypto outlet CoinPost also reported on the announcement, lending additional visibility to the deal within Japan’s crypto community.

Why SBI VC Trade’s Ripple connection matters

SBI VC Trade operates under SBI Group, which has maintained a long-standing strategic relationship with Ripple. SBI Group’s latest investor presentation outlines the conglomerate’s broader digital asset strategy, which includes its crypto exchange operations.

The exchange holds a license from Japan’s Financial Services Agency, as listed in the FSA’s registry of licensed crypto-asset exchange service providers. That regulatory standing is central to its ability to offer institutional treasury services in Japan.

For WIZE, selecting a Ripple-affiliated, FSA-licensed exchange signals a preference for institutional-grade custody over self-managed wallets. The move resembles a broader pattern in which companies holding digital assets on their balance sheets are turning to regulated intermediaries, similar to how Visa and Brale have explored institutional digital asset settlement infrastructure.

What a Solana treasury choice signals

Choosing Solana as a treasury asset is uncommon. Most corporate crypto treasuries default to Bitcoin or stablecoins. WIZE’s decision to hold SOL puts it in a smaller category of firms willing to take on the volatility and staking dynamics of an alternative layer-1 token.

Treasury management for a Solana-denominated portfolio differs from a simple buy-and-hold Bitcoin strategy. SOL staking yields, validator economics, and network-level governance all factor into how a managed treasury operates, which may explain why WIZE opted for a dedicated manager rather than handling custody internally.

The reliance on a licensed custodian also reflects growing awareness of counterparty risk in crypto. Incidents like concerns raised around Rain Protocol’s valuation underscore why firms are increasingly cautious about where they park digital assets. Regulatory clarity around crypto compliance frameworks could further push companies toward licensed custodians like SBI VC Trade.

Japanese media outlet NewEconomy also covered the announcement, noting its significance within Japan’s evolving institutional crypto landscape. Whether WIZE’s Solana treasury approach attracts imitators will depend on how the managed arrangement performs and whether other FSA-licensed exchanges begin offering similar services.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.