Key Takeaways:
- Strategic grants: Up to $200,000 per startup from Ripple’s XRPL Japan/Korea Fund
- Focus areas: Decentralized Finance (DeFi), tokenized assets, and payments solutions on XRP Ledger
- Ecosystem support: Four major events planned through March 2026
- Market momentum: XRP up 3% to $2.24 amid growing corporate adoption
Ripple Doubles Down on Japan’s Web3 Potential
Ripple has teamed up with Web3 Salon, a Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)-backed initiative, to promote blockchain innovation in one of Asia’s most regulated crypto markets. The partnership will provide up to $200,000 in grants per project to early-stage Japanese startups building on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), drawn from Ripple’s 1 billion XRP developer fund.
The move comes as Japan’s Web3 ecosystem gains traction, with its clear regulatory framework attracting both crypto-native projects and traditional financial players exploring tokenization.
RippleX announced on its X account:
What Startups Can Expect
1. Financial Support
- Grants are awarded based on technical merit and market potential
- Focus on DeFi protocols, RWA tokenization, and payment solutions
2. Hands-On Mentorship
- Web3 Salon-led workshops on compliance and scaling
- Access to Ripple’s global partner network
3. Networking Opportunities
- Four pitch competitions and investor meetups through 2026
- Collaboration with JETRO to bridge Web2 and Web3 businesses
Japan offers an optimal environment for blockchain innovation, thanks to its combination of skilled technology professionals and well-defined regulations.
XRP Market Outlook
The announcement coincides with positive momentum for XRP, but no significant change in price this week:
- $2.24 price (3% daily gain)
- 300%+ YTD growth
- New corporate adopters:
- VivoPower: $121M treasury allocation
- Webus: Planning $300M reserve for cross-border payments
Why Japan Matters for Web3
- Regulatory Leadership
Japan was among the first to establish comprehensive crypto laws - Institutional Interest
Major banks like MUFG are actively exploring blockchain solutions - Tech Talent Pool
Home to world-class developers in fintech and gaming
A Strategic Beachhead in Asia
Ripple’s Japan push signals a long-term commitment to Asian markets, combining financial support with ecosystem development. As Japanese firms increasingly explore tokenized securities and blockchain-based payments, this initiative could position XRPL as a preferred infrastructure layer.
Will this partnership produce Japan’s next crypto unicorn? With applications now open, the answer may come sooner than expected.
For more on Asia’s Web3 landscape, read our report on: South Korea Sees First Crypto Transaction After Ban Lift, powered by NGO and Upbit
