Japan’s SBI Group’s APLUS Introduces Cryptocurrency Redemption for Credit Card Points

In a notable first, SBI Group’s APLUS program in Japan now allows credit card users to convert their loyalty points into cryptocurrency, expanding its prize offerings beyond traditional cashbacks and partner rewards.

Cardholders enrolled in the APLUS Points program can opt to redeem their points for small amounts of bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH), or XRP (XRP). For example, redeeming 2,100 points grants users over 2,000 Japanese yen worth of tokens—roughly $13 at current exchange rates. These tokens are managed by SBI’s exchange arm and deposited directly into the user’s VC Trade account.

Though the crypto amounts are modest, this move marks the first time APLUS has included digital assets in its rewards catalog. It provides a low-risk opportunity for SBI to familiarize users with cryptocurrency without encouraging speculative trading.

SBI, a long-time supporter of Ripple, made XRP the first token listed on its VC Trade platform at launch in 2018. This latest integration highlights a maturing compliance landscape in Japan’s tightly regulated crypto environment, offering everyday credit card users a seamless and regulated way to experience digital assets—without heavy marketing pressure.