Ripple Backs XRP Ledger Startups in Japan With up to $200K per Project

Ripple ignites Japan’s Web3 future with major funding push for XRP Ledger startups, targeting DeFi, tokenized assets, and digital payments.

Ripple Sparks XRPL Wave in Japan With $200K Support Plan per Project

Ripple Labs announced on June 9 that it has entered a partnership with Web3 Salon, a project supported by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), to cultivate Japan’s digital asset startup landscape.

The partnership will center on early-stage startups building on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and aims to support the next wave of development in decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenized real-world assets (RWA), and digital payments. The alliance targets Japan’s robust regulatory ecosystem and deep technical talent pool as ideal conditions for advancing Web3 innovation. Ripple outlined the core of its commitment in the initiative:

As part of the partnership, Ripple will offer grant funding of up to $200,000 per project over the next year.

“This initiative is part of the XRPL Japan and Korea Fund and Ripple’s broader 1 billion XRP commitment to provide financial, technical, and business support for developers and startups building on the XRP Ledger (XRPL),” Ripple added. “The funding will be awarded to a select group of early-stage startups based in Japan that are building on the XRPL, particularly in use cases like decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenized real-world assets (RWA), and digital payments.”

Selected startups will also be integrated into Ripple’s broader global network, offering them access to investors, technical mentors, and enterprise collaborators. While Ripple provides capital and international linkages, Web3 Salon will lead operational support—facilitating mentorship, go-to-market planning, and access to regulatory and investor communities. The partnership includes four major public events through March 2026 to highlight top XRPL projects and explore policy and technological trends.

Hinza Asif, President of Asia Web3 Alliance Japan, emphasized the ambition of the effort:

Japan is one of the most exciting and challenging markets for Web3 and blockchain adoption. Through this partnership with Ripple, we aim to support visionary founders and strengthen the bridge between global innovation and Japan’s tech landscape.

The partnership responds to Japan’s highly structured regulatory environment, offering coordinated support to lower barriers for Web3 entrepreneurs. While critics may point to strict rules as a constraint, the initiative underlines how public-private collaboration can unlock growth in a regulated market.