Ripple Labs is intensifying its efforts in Japan by leveraging its deep-rooted connections with the nation’s established financial institutions. This approach aims to boost both the adoption and engagement surrounding the XRP Ledger (XRPL).
This week, Asia Web3 Alliance Japan teamed up with Web3 Salon to introduce the Japan Financial Infrastructure Innovation Program. The initiative focuses on supporting Japanese startups that are building next-generation, regulation-compliant digital financial solutions using the XRP Ledger.
Ripple’s Strategy in Japan: Can Institutional Support Elevate XRP?
The program began accepting applications on December 19, offering each selected startup a grant of $10,000. It targets three key sectors: stablecoins, tokenization of real-world assets, and credit infrastructure development.
“Japan presents an exceptional opportunity for blockchain innovation thanks to its progressive regulatory environment and rich talent pool. This program reflects Ripple’s dedication to nurturing a dynamic ecosystem where startups can harness XRPL’s speed, affordability, and reliability to deliver tangible benefits and revolutionize financial infrastructure,” stated Christina Chan, Senior Director of Developer Growth at RippleX.
Industry experts see this initiative as a cost-effective way for Ripple to identify promising projects eligible for larger funding pools — including a dedicated 1 billion XRP fund aimed at developers in both Japan and Korea.
The program has attracted support from major players such as Mizuho Bank, SMBC Nikko Securities, and Securitize Japan.
@AWAJ_official and @Web3Salon, backed by #JETRO & @RippleXrpie, proudly announce the launch of the Japan Financial Infrastructure Innovation Program (JFIIP) 🇯🇵 during Japan Fintech Week
🗓 Dec 19, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026
👉 Apply here: https://t.co/kW1uq9uu6P#FinTech #XRPL pic.twitter.com/5cBox776PD— Asia Web3 Alliance Japan (AWAJ) (@AWAJ_official) December 24, 2025
Despite strong corporate endorsements backing this effort, it arrives amid challenging conditions for XRPL itself. While Ripple highlights growing institutional use cases, data indicates declining network activity overall.
According to DefiLlama statistics,the Total Value Locked (TVL) on XRPL has sharply decreased recently — dropping from about $120 million in July down to nearly $62 million currently.
This roughly fifty percent decline signals capital withdrawal from DeFi protocols running on XRPL even as partnerships with corporations continue expanding.
The wider cryptocurrency market downturn likely plays a role here too since Bitcoin prices have dropped around thirty percent since peaking above $126,&$000 last October.
Additionally,the push towards asset tokenization faces fierce competition. Data from Rwa.xyz ranks XRPL ninth worldwide regarding tokenized assets held — approximately $213 million worth — which trails behind Ethereum along with newer platforms dominating this sector.
Taken together,this means JFIIP is more than just an accelerator program—it represents Ripple's strategic move into embedding itself within Japanese banking systems,to build an ecosystem resilient against crypto market volatility.