Ripple is committing up to $200,000 in grants to each Japanese early-stage blockchain startup. This grant effort is meant to encourage creative solutions and broaden the utilization of the XRPL. This initiative is part of Ripple's broader $1 billion XRP developer fund and reflects the company's strategic focus on Japan due to its stringent regulatory environment, advanced fintech sector, and significant institutional interest in blockchain technology. Ripple’s investment will offer operating support and technical support. It will further focus on helping startups looking to reach the Japanese market.
Strategic Focus on Japan
Japan has been highlighted as a crucial territory for Ripple’s further expansion strategy. The key for Singapore is that the mature fintech ecosystem is booming. Simultaneously, increasing institutional demand for blockchain infrastructure presents a perfect opportunity for XRPL adoption. Ripple intends to realize this potential opportunity by offering focused guidance and substantial, meaningful support to the most promising early-stage companies.
Ripple is already empowering others with the capital and infrastructure they need to deliver transformative change. In the meantime, Web3 Salon is at the forefront of making startups possible. This collaborative approach makes sure that the startups get the kind of support they need—everything from that first check to valuable ongoing strategic guidance. In addition to the above-mentioned programming, Ripple and Web3 Salon will collaborate to co-produce a series of four large-scale Web3 events across Japan by March 2026.
Each of these events will include a startup pitch showcase, fireside chats, policy panels, networking sessions, and more educational deep dives. Each event will focus on building, sharing, and investing in the Japanese Web3 ecosystem.
Selection Criteria and Focus Areas
To be eligible for funding, startups need to prove they have high growth potential in the Japanese market as well as the global market. They need to show us their high-level, customized technical expertise. They have to develop a compelling application that is developed upon – or at the very least connected to – the XRP Ledger. Ripple is particularly interested in startups that align with its core focus areas: Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Real-World Asset Tokenization (RWA), and Digital Payments.
These selection criteria enable us to zero in on the highest quality startups. They’re all well positioned to continue advancing growth and development on the XRPL ecosystem. Ripple, for example, focuses heavily on DeFi, RWA, and CBDC/digital payments. Their mission is to inspire innovation and create viable, useful applications for blockchain technology.
"Together, we hope to fuel innovation and support the next generation of leaders." - Christina Chan, RippleX Senior Director
Ripple's Broader Expansion in Asia
Ripple’s recent investment in Japan is the just the latest move in a concerted strategy to increase Ripple’s footprint in Asia. The combined efforts have notably improved remittance networks driven by XRPL across Southeast Asia. In addition to the MOU, they announced some very cool strategic partnerships in South Korea and the Philippines. Ripple has obtained regulatory clarity for XRP’s usage in other countries like Singapore and Dubai. This achievement definitely strengthens its stature and prowess in the region.
This strategic expansion reflects Ripple's belief in the long-term potential of Asia's crypto market. Ripple pushes for regulatory compliance and real-world use cases. Through strategic collaborations, it positions itself as a major player in the region’s developing blockchain ecosystem.
"one of the most exciting and challenging markets for Web3" - Hinza Asif, President of Asia Web3 Alliance Japan
Ripple makes a move to grow Japan’s developer ecosystem. This move is meant to drive faster adoption of the XRP Ledger and encourage further innovation in the region. Ripple supports later-stage, promising startups with funding, technical support, and strategic business direction. This forward-thinking, cautious approach strengthens Ripple’s hand as Asia shapes the global future of crypto. This initiative, combined with Ripple's broader expansion efforts in Southeast Asia and regulatory achievements in countries like Singapore and Dubai, underscores the company's commitment to driving the growth and development of the blockchain industry in Asia.
