Ripple Doubles Down on Japan: A Crypto Power Play in Asia’s Most Regulated Market
Ripple’s latest move isn’t just expansion—it’s a full-scale assault on Asia’s crypto frontier. Japan, with its FSA-approved iron grip on digital assets, just became ground zero for the next liquidity showdown.
The play? Bypass regulatory quicksand by cozying up to local banks—because nothing says 'disruption' like cutting deals with the same institutions you vowed to replace. Classic crypto irony.
Watch for domino effects: If Ripple cracks Japan, the rest of Asia’s markets won’t just open—they’ll beg for XRP liquidity. Unless, of course, regulators do what they do best: slam the door shut with paperwork.
$2, the issuer of XRP, has embarked on an ambitious initiative that centers on the Japanese market to strengthen its position in the Asian cryptocurrency ecosystem. This program, developed in partnership with the JETRO-supported Web3 Salon, targets young companies focusing on cryptocurrency payments, DeFi, and real asset tokenization on the XRP Ledger. Funded by the Japan & Korea Fund from Ripple’s $1 billion ecosystem commitment announced in 2022, the initiative promises grants up to $200,000 per project and a comprehensive network of investors and mentors, enabling local innovators to rapidly achieve global recognition.
ContentsIntroduction of Ripple’s XRPL Support Program in JapanWeb3 Salon’s Role in Mentorship and Legal ComplianceFour Major Ecosystem Events Planned by 2026
Introduction of Ripple’s XRPL Support Program in Japan
The support program operates through a two-phase process where the technical feasibility of applications is examined with XRPL engineers. Selected enterprises are afforded the opportunity to engage in pilot projects with Ripple’s early adopter client network, extending benefits beyond mere financial support.
The fund aims to scale use cases such as on-chain payments, supply chain tracking, and capital market tokenization in prominent sectors of the Japanese economy. Through this, the low-cost, rapid architecture of the XRP Ledger will be transformed into localized solutions with regulatory clarity in the market.
Web3 Salon’s Role in Mentorship and Legal Compliance
Web3 Salon, which oversees the operations, provides founders with intensive workshops focused on regulation literacy, product-market fit, and fundraising strategies. These educational sessions demystify Japan’s detailed anti-money laundering regulations and cryptocurrency taxation systems.
Startups participate in regular sessions with a consulting team comprising local attorneys and former finance bureaucrats. This enables coordinated management of processes like license applications, consumer protection tests, and security audits, right from prototype development to launch.
Four Major Ecosystem Events Planned by 2026
By March 2026, a series of events in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo will introduce selected teams to investors on competition stages, engage regulatory bodies through policy panels, and expand the technical community.
The renowned XRPL community member, WrathofKahneman, highlighted the long-term strategy of Ripple towards Japan by drawing attention to the calendar. This series of events aims to accelerate regional innovation and build bridges among cryptocurrency hubs across Asia.
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