Ripple Commits $200K Each to Accelerate Japan’s Crypto Startup Scene

Key Takeaways:

Ripple is providing as much as $200,000 ingrants to project participants to fund projects that are being built with the XRP Ledger (XRPL) in Japan

The initiative is part of the $1B XRP Fund and backed by Japan’s public and private sectors, including JETRO .

Ripple will co-host 4 major Web3 events with Web3 Salon through March 2026 to boost startup visibility and ecosystem growth.

Ripple is making a major move to empower early-stage blockchain startups in Japan. In collaboration with Web3 Salon and supported by JETRO, this initiative positions Japan at the center of Ripple’s regional Web3 push, with major funding, mentorship, and community engagement in the pipeline.

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A Bold Bet on Japanese Innovation

The new partnership with Web3 Salon underscores what they are: Japan is prepared to take the lead when it comes to the next wave of digital asset innovation in the Asian region. Ripple will provide Japanese early-stage blockchain startups with up to $200,000 each to develop products for the XRP Ledger (XRPL) — an open-source blockchain designed for payments, decentralized finance (DeFi) and tokenized assets, through its new XRPL Japan and Korea Fund.

This campaign is not just about the money. It’s also a long-term investment in the blockchain space in Japan, one of the most highly regulated but promising markets in crypto. It would include investments, technical support and help with getting a toehold in the Japanese market for select investments that coincide with Ripple’s own focus.

XRPL-Focused Grants: Who Gets Them and Why

Criteria for Selection

Ripple’s grants aren’t open-ended. To be selected, startups must demonstrate:

Strong growth potential in the Japanese or global market

A high level of technical sophistication

A clear application built on or integrated with the XRP Ledger

Alignment with core focus areas: DeFi , Real-World Asset Tokenization (RWA) , and Digital Payments

Selected projects will benefit from more than financial backing. Ripple will directly oversee the grant process to ensure impact and offer access to its extensive global network of investors, partners, and customers.

$1 Billion XRP Developer Commitment

These Japan-specific grants are part of Ripple’s broader $1B XRP developer fund, which aims to accelerate adoption of the XRPL. Japan is one of the first earmarked for targeted support from the fund as a result of its stringent regulatory environment, mature fintech industry and the high level of institutional interest in blockchains.

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Web3 Salon: Mentorship, Go-to-Market Support, and Policy Access

A Parallel Track to Success

Ripple is focusing on capital and infrastructure and Web3 Salon is leading the startup enablement. That includes:

Mentorship for product and technical teams

Workshops on scaling, compliance, and go-to-market strategies

Curated networking with regulators, venture capital, and enterprise leaders

This double track system offers startups support to prototype faster, smarter and more in-line with Japan’s often confusing regulatory environments. The salon serves as a conduit — not only for startups and investors, but also for new blockchain solutions and traditional finance.

Community Building: 4 Major Web3 Events Planned

Events to Accelerate Ecosystem Growth

To maximize impact and ecosystem visibility, Ripple and Web3 Salon will be co-organizing a series of four large-scale Web3 events in Japan by March 2026. These events will include:

Startup pitch showcases to highlight XRPL innovation

Fireside chats and policy panels with global thought leaders

Networking sessions tailored for Web3 investors and founders

Educational deep dives on tokenization, DeFi compliance, and global scaling

The activities are designed to promote leading startups, and intensify the conversation between public bodies and the promoters of innovation from the private sector..

Why Japan? Fair to Play Regulatory surety with Developer potential

Japan is one of the few countries that provides clear and structured crypto regulation — a major attraction to Web3 entrepreneurs. Its Financial Services Agency (FSA) has set a good precedent for what a good crypto exchange and token environment should look like (rather than a race to the bottom by regulators), and its ruling has brought in serious builders who want the more long-term stable enviroment Japans has to offer.

But that very structure can have its hindrances. The contribution of JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) and the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan is also critical in assisting startups with regulation and bureaucracy.

Ripple’s Expanding Asia Strategy

This Japan initiative is the latest in Ripple’s wider push across Asia. In recent years, Ripple has:

Enhanced XRPL-Underpinned Remittance Networks throughout the Southeast Asia

Released news of strategic partners in South Korea and the Philippines

Gained regulatory clarity for XRP usage in countries like Singapore and Dubai

Investing in Japan’s developer ecosystem has not only enabled Ripple to create vibrant, homegrown innovation, but it has also given the company a springboard for bringing XRPL into Asia.

Industry Reaction and Strategic Implications

Ripple’s move has already drawn positive attention across the region. Hinza Asif, President of Asia Web3 Alliance Japan, described Japan as “one of the most exciting and challenging markets for Web3.” He noted that the partnership strengthens the bridge between global innovation and local infrastructure.

Christina Chan, RippleX Senior Director, emphasized the long-term goal: “Together, we hope to fuel innovation and support the next generation of leaders.”

While many global crypto companies are scaling back amid market volatility, Ripple’s deep-rooted investment in Japan suggests a confident, long-term bet on Asia’s crypto future — one where regulatory clarity and real-world use cases will define the winners.