Ripple has unveiled a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating blockchain innovation across two of Asia’s most dynamic markets—Japan and South Korea. The company has launched the XRPL Japan and Korea Fund, a dedicated program designed to drive adoption of the XRP Ledger (XRPL) through partnerships, developer support, and ecosystem growth.
This move underscores Ripple’s continued commitment to expanding its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region, where blockchain technology is rapidly gaining traction in financial services, supply chain management, and digital identity solutions.
What Is the XRPL Japan and Korea Fund?
Announced on June 11, 2024, the XRPL Japan and Korea Fund will focus on fostering collaboration with major enterprises, startups, and developers in both countries. The fund aims to integrate the XRP Ledger into real-world business operations by supporting:
- Strategic corporate partnerships
- Developer grants for building on XRPL
- Early-stage startup investments
- Community-building initiatives and educational programs
The XRP Ledger, Ripple’s open-source, public blockchain, is engineered for speed, scalability, and low transaction costs—making it an ideal platform for enterprise-grade applications. It enables real-time cross-border payments, decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and tokenized assets.
“The launch of this fund demonstrates Ripple’s strong belief in Japan and Korea’s potential as key regional centers for blockchain innovation,”
— Emi Yoshikawa, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Ripple
This new regional fund is part of Ripple’s broader $1 billion commitment—first announced in March 2022—to support the development and adoption of the XRP Ledger globally. That pledge includes financial grants, technical resources, and business development assistance for developers and innovators building on XRPL.
Why Japan and South Korea?
Japan and South Korea are among the most advanced digital economies in Asia, with strong regulatory frameworks, tech-savvy populations, and growing institutional interest in blockchain and digital assets.
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Both nations have shown increasing openness to regulated crypto innovation. Japan has been a leader in crypto regulation since 2017, recognizing digital assets as legal property and licensing numerous crypto exchanges. South Korea has similarly embraced blockchain through supportive policies and government-backed pilot projects in areas like digital ID and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
By focusing on these two markets, Ripple is positioning itself at the heart of Asia’s next wave of financial technology transformation.
Enterprise Adoption Gains Momentum
One of the most significant developments in recent months was the April 2024 announcement that SBI Ripple Asia, a joint venture between Ripple and Japan’s SBI Holdings, partnered with Tokyo-based HashKey DX to bring blockchain-based supply chain finance solutions to Japanese businesses.
This collaboration leverages the XRP Ledger’s core strengths:
- Fast settlement: Transactions confirmed in 3–5 seconds
- High scalability: Capable of handling thousands of transactions per second
- Low cost: Minimal fees compared to traditional banking rails
These features make XRPL particularly well-suited for complex supply chain ecosystems where transparency, speed, and efficiency are critical.
The partnership plans to roll out pilot programs with major Japanese corporations, aiming to digitize trade finance processes and reduce reliance on paper-based systems.
XRPL Powers Official NFTs for World Expo 2025
In another high-profile use case, Ripple has announced that the XRP Ledger will be used to issue official NFTs for attendees of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Millions of visitors are expected at the global event, and the NFTs will serve as digital collectibles, access tokens, or commemorative badges.
This initiative highlights XRPL’s versatility beyond payments—extending into digital ownership, event engagement, and fan experiences. Unlike energy-intensive blockchains, XRPL uses a consensus protocol that consumes negligible energy, aligning with the Expo’s sustainability goals.
It also marks one of the largest government-supported adoptions of blockchain technology in Japan to date.
Building the Future of Financial Infrastructure
Ripple’s strategy in Asia-Pacific isn’t new. The company established its regional headquarters in Singapore in 2017 and has maintained a long-standing presence through SBI Ripple Asia since 2016. These foundational efforts have enabled Ripple to build deep relationships with financial institutions, regulators, and technology partners across the region.
Now, with the launch of the XRPL Japan and Korea Fund, Ripple is shifting from infrastructure development to ecosystem activation—empowering local innovators to build solutions tailored to regional needs.
Developers in Tokyo, Seoul, and beyond can now apply for grants to build decentralized applications (dApps), create tokenized asset platforms, or design new payment protocols using XRPL’s robust toolkit.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the XRP Ledger (XRPL)?
A: The XRP Ledger is an open-source, public blockchain developed by Ripple. It supports fast, low-cost transactions and is used for payments, DeFi, NFTs, and tokenized assets. It operates independently of Ripple Inc.
Q: How will the XRPL Japan and Korea Fund support startups?
A: The fund will provide early-stage funding, technical mentorship, and access to Ripple’s network of partners and enterprises in the region. Startups focused on financial services, supply chain, gaming, or identity solutions are encouraged to apply.
Q: Is XRP being used directly in these projects?
A: While XRP is the native cryptocurrency of XRPL, these initiatives primarily leverage the ledger’s infrastructure. XRP may be used for transaction fees or liquidity purposes but isn’t mandatory for all use cases.
Q: Can developers outside Japan and South Korea participate?
A: The fund is specifically targeted at innovators within Japan and South Korea. However, global developers can still contribute to XRPL through other grant programs under Ripple’s $1 billion commitment.
Q: How does XRPL compare to other blockchains in terms of sustainability?
A: XRPL is one of the most energy-efficient blockchains, using a unique consensus algorithm instead of energy-intensive proof-of-work. It has a near-zero carbon footprint and is certified as carbon neutral.
Q: Will this fund lead to more regulatory approvals for XRP?
A: While the fund itself doesn’t impact regulatory status, increased enterprise adoption in regulated markets like Japan may contribute positively to broader recognition of XRP and blockchain technology.
A Catalyst for Regional Innovation
The launch of the XRPL Japan and Korea Fund represents more than just corporate expansion—it’s a catalyst for homegrown innovation. By investing in local talent, supporting startups, and partnering with established institutions, Ripple is helping shape the future of finance in one of the world’s most technologically advanced regions.
As blockchain continues to evolve from experimental tech to mission-critical infrastructure, initiatives like this will play a pivotal role in driving real-world utility and mass adoption.
Whether it’s streamlining supply chains, enabling instant cross-border payments, or powering digital experiences at global events like the World Expo, the XRP Ledger is proving its value beyond speculation—delivering tangible solutions for businesses and consumers alike.
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With strong momentum building across Asia-Pacific, Ripple’s latest move could very well set the stage for a new era of decentralized finance—one built on speed, sustainability, and scalable innovation.