Kenji normally, a wide-eyed developer from Osaka, frowns over his laptop. He’s powered by ramen and his dreams of making a decentralized future happen. He’s come up with an interesting pro-bono project to create a micro-loan platform on XRPL, to connect capital to local farmers in dire need. Kenji is the customer Ripple dreams of and hopes to open the floodgates to with its $15 million investment in Japan this past week. Will this investment truly give Kenji and kids like him the chance he deserves? Or is it just another corporate land grab in disguise as Web3 benevolence?

Is Community Truly Being Empowered?

Ripple has pledged $200,000 in grants to nurture early-stage blockchain startups in Japan. This new talent development initiative, supported by Web3 Salon and JETRO, is promising. We can’t forget that throwing money at a problem doesn’t mean you’ll magically fix it. Will the money actually reach grassroots and catalyze real innovation? Or will they be used to primarily benefit the types of projects that fit nicely within Ripple’s predetermined agenda?

I am not saying it's a bad thing for companies to invest, but let's not pretend this is purely philanthropic. It's business. And finally, businesses should be held responsible, or business must be held accountable for their actions. We need to ask:

  • Are the selection criteria transparent and fair?
  • Will the program actively seek out and support developers from diverse backgrounds, including those from rural areas or underrepresented communities?
  • Or will it favor those already well-connected within the established tech circles?

The devil, as always, is in the details. I’m not doing the bad faith implication of saying Ripple has evil intentions either. It’s really not about the policy – it’s about how the program is implemented.

Inclusivity Or Another Echo Chamber?

The Japanese Web3 landscape is nascent and developing, but it faces a make-or-break challenge. It risks becoming an echo chamber, where only a few voices and perspectives dominate. To truly foster innovation, we need inclusivity. We can’t stop there; we have to do more to make the program accessible to everybody. Let’s make that welcome genuine, open to people of any background and network.

Ripple says they want to see startups that demonstrate strong growth potential, technical sophistication, a clear XRPL application, and alignment with Ripple's focus areas (DeFi, RWA, and Digital Payments). This sounds great. What about those who may have technical sophistication potential, but need props to help them get there. What about the people who have great ideas? Regardless of how well their ideas fit with Ripple’s current focus areas, they might still deliver amazing value to the XRPL ecosystem.

Remember the story of Ethereum? It wasn't built by a mega-corporation. And it was created by a community of passionate coders. And that’s the spirit we need to create in Japan.

Decentralization Or Centralized Control?

Here's where my anxiety kicks in. Ripple has consistently promoted the open-source nature of XRPL. Its massive investment gives it enormous power that may lead to dangerous centralization of power and influence. Have we really painted ourselves into a corner where Ripple now decides what the future of the Japanese Web3 ecosystem will look like?

Let’s face it, $200,000 is a rounding error for a company the size of Ripple. This isn’t just about charity—it’s about positioning themselves strategically. And there's nothing inherently wrong with that, as long as it doesn't stifle competition and innovation.

The best prevention against this, as in most cases, is greater community engagement. Ripple should actively involve local stakeholders in the decision-making process, soliciting feedback and guidance from developers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. When we prioritize projects that address the most pressing social and environmental challenges, we are truly committed to empowering our communities. This strategy moves past just chasing the traditional, profitable projects.

Ripple’s ultimate investment success will depend on whether or not it can build a truly decentralized and inclusive ecosystem. Together, this environment will help Kenji and thousands like him create a better life for themselves and the rest of our community. We need to hold Ripple accountable to this vision and demand transparency, inclusivity, and a genuine commitment to community empowerment.