XRP Roars Back: Institutional Demand Fuels South Korean & Japanese Crypto Frenzy
Asia's institutional whales are placing big bets on XRP again—and the ripple effect is turning heads.
Why Seoul and Tokyo matter now
While Wall Street hedgies still debate 'digital asset viability,' South Korea's crypto-savvy funds and Japan's FSA-regulated exchanges are quietly accumulating XRP at levels not seen since the 2021 bull run. The pattern? Smart money moves first.
The compliance advantage
XRP's regulatory clarity—that rare unicorn in crypto—gives risk-averse Asian institutions the green light traditional finance won't. Meanwhile, Bitcoin maximalists cope by calling it a 'banker coin.'
Watch the flows
Exchange reserves are draining faster than a Lehman Brothers liquidity pool. If this keeps up, even the suits in London might notice—right after their three-martini lunches.
BDACS rolls out XRP custody
On Aug. 5, BDACS, a prominent digital asset custody provider, confirmed it has added support for XRP.
This service, however, is currently limited to institutional clients, reflecting growing demand for secure handling of XRP among Korea’s professional investors.
The company pointed to XRP’s rising market presence in South Korea and highlighted its integration with leading local exchanges, including Upbit, Coinone, and Korbit.
The MOVE enables institutional clients to interact with XRP on these platforms in a manner that aligns with regulatory expectations.
BDACS also emphasized that its XRP support strengthens its relationship with Ripple, describing the update as a stepping stone toward deeper involvement in the Korean market.
The firm hinted at further collaborations, suggesting that this rollout marks the beginning of a broader strategic alignment.
XRP ETF in Japan
Meanwhile, financial services giant SBI Holdings is preparing to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for XRP and Bitcoin in Japan.
Details of the plan were disclosed in the company’s Q2 2025 earnings report, marking one of the first ETF proposals in Asia to include the digital asset.
If approved, the funds WOULD give Japanese investors regulated access to both assets, enhancing liquidity and institutional participation. The XRP ETF, in particular, could serve as a bellwether for broader altcoin ETF adoption across the region.
Meanwhile, SBI’s longstanding partnership with Ripple adds weight to its commitment to the digital asset.
The firm is one of the largest corporate holders of XRP and has consistently backed its use in cross-border financial applications. So, this ETF’s ambitions further underscore its belief in the token’s role in global payments.
