- Ripple and Web3 Salon will provide grants of up to $200,000 for XRPL startups focused on blockchain innovation in Japan.
- The initiative is part of Ripple’s 1 billion XRP program, supporting financial, technical, and business development for Web3 firms.
- Japan’s regulatory clarity and strategic partnerships make it a focal point for Ripple’s expansion in the digital finance sector.
Ripple has partnered with Web3 Salon, a project supported by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), to fund promising startups building on the XRP Ledger. The collaboration will provide financial support of up to $200,000 per project. Thanks to the XRPL Japan and Korea Fund, Ripple continues working on the strategic expansion of XRPL in Japan.
The initiative is part of Ripple’s 1 billion XRP commitment to support blockchain innovation across Asia. The collaboration will offer financial aid along with technical and business resources to selected XRPL startups. This comprehensive support aims to accelerate Web3 development and adoption in Japan’s startup ecosystem.
Ripple aligns with regional vision for digital asset leadership
The partnership also involves the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan. Its president, Hinza Asif, highlighted the ambition to support visionary blockchain founders. Christina Chan, RippleX Senior Director of Developer Growth, stated that the company aims to foster innovation and nurture the next generation of leaders in Japan.
Japan’s reputation for clear crypto regulations and strong consumer protections has positioned it as a leader in blockchain adoption. Already, SBI Holdings and HashKey DX from Japan have partnered with Ripple. This step solidifies Ripple’s position in Japan, since it is hoped that 80 percent of Japanese banks will use XRP by 2025.
Wider context supports Ripple’s strategic timing in Japan
The announcement comes as Japan navigates recent economic challenges, including effects from earlier international trade conflicts. Japanese officials have acknowledged the pressure on the national economy. However, partnerships such as this reflect a broader effort to leverage blockchain technology for economic recovery and innovation.
Recently, Circle and SBI Holdings entered into a partnership to help increase the acceptance of USDC stablecoin in Japan. The support Ripple is receiving from governments indicates that traditional players are showing more interest in using blockchain for financial matters.
