As the lengthy SEC lawsuit against Ripple edges closer to a final resolution, the XRP community is once again buzzing with renewed optimism. Many holders have revived a statement from Yoshitaka Kitao, Chairman and CEO of SBI Holdings, who confidently forecasted a significant price surge for XRP once the legal battle is officially resolved.
SBI Chief: SEC Case Nears Resolution
In a resurfaced video clip, Kitao, who leads one of Japan’s largest financial institutions, stated that he firmly believes the drawn-out legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is nearing its conclusion. He cited Ripple executives who indicated that a final court decision could be just weeks away.
Kitao emphasised that if the ruling confirms XRP’s status as a digital currency rather than a security, the asset’s price could soar. He described the potential post-lawsuit value for XRP as a “very high price,” signalling his confidence in the project’s upside once regulatory clarity arrives.
SBI Holds Significant Stake in Ripple
SBI Holdings remains one of Ripple’s closest international partners and its largest external shareholder. Kitao made it clear that SBI intends to continue holding its XRP allocation, highlighting the company’s belief in the long-term growth of its stake as the regulatory clouds lift.
Kitao originally shared these remarks in June 2023, just weeks before Judge Torres ruled that XRP should be classified as a digital asset. That decision initially sent XRP prices sharply higher, although the momentum faded quickly and the token returned to its pre-ruling range.
XRP Rebounds After Key Milestones
After the initial boost from the 2023 court victory, XRP traded sideways for over a year, mostly hovering between $0.50 and $0.60. In November 2024, however, the asset gained fresh traction when former SEC Chairman Gary Gensler stepped down. XRP used that moment to break through multi-year resistance, jumping from under $0.50 to over $3.
Following that surge, XRP entered a six-month consolidation phase. Now, with Ripple’s leadership signalling plans to withdraw its appeal, investors believe the final chapter of this lawsuit could be days away from closure. The XRP community eagerly awaits an official joint statement from Ripple and the SEC confirming that the case is finally resolved.
Related article: Ripple CTO Praises XRP Surge, But Says Price Still Undervalues Asset
Community Revisits Kitao’s Bold Prediction
Amid this anticipation, XRP supporters have resurfaced Kitao’s original video, arguing that his forecast of a massive price rally could finally play out when the settlement becomes official. Many believe that the combination of regulatory clarity and Ripple’s expanding global partnerships could unlock new demand for XRP.
In the same video, Kitao also hinted that Ripple’s management might push forward with a public listing after the lawsuit closes. However, more recent updates indicate that Ripple is currently focusing more on mergers and acquisitions than an initial public offering.
SBI’s Longstanding Support for XRP
SBI Holdings has long championed Ripple’s technology and XRP adoption through its joint venture, SBI Ripple Asia. This partnership has helped expand XRP-based payment solutions across the Asian financial market.
Kitao himself remains one of XRP’s most vocal corporate supporters, highlighting its real-world utility for cross-border payments and remittances. Recently, SBI even received a shareholder proposal encouraging the company to adopt an XRP treasury strategy, similar to MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin approach, by making regular XRP investments to strengthen its position.
