Open House Group Accepts XRP for Property Purchases in Japan
Open House Group Co., Ltd., a prominent real estate company in Japan, has announced that it will now accept XRP as a form of payment for property purchases. This development was shared by Emi Yoshikawa, the former Vice President of Strategy Initiatives at Ripple, on X. The move is expected to facilitate easier property acquisitions for international buyers in Japan.
On January 31, 2025, Open House began accepting Bitcoin for property transactions. Initially, Bitcoin and Ethereum were the only two major cryptocurrencies accepted for payments. However, the company has since expanded its payment options to include XRP, SOL (Solana), and DOGE (Dogecoin), providing customers with five different digital currencies to choose from when purchasing real estate.
This expansion in payment options is particularly beneficial for international buyers, who can now use these altcoins to purchase properties in Japan, subject to their own country’s regulations. Open House Group manages a diverse portfolio of properties, including homes, office spaces, and studio condos in major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Nagoya. The company offers comprehensive services, from property development to sales and management, providing a "one-stop solution" for its clients.
XRP's growing acceptance in the payments sector is evident, as it was one of the top-used cryptocurrencies for payments in 2023. This trend is further supported by Open House's decision to integrate XRP into its payment system, indicating a broader acceptance of the cryptocurrency in the business world.
As the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, XRP stands to gain from this development. Yoshikawa highlighted that Open House Group is a significant player in Japan’s real estate market, suggesting that many customers might opt to pay with XRP for property purchases. This could drive further adoption of XRP for large transactions.
Open House's decision to accept cryptocurrencies aligns with a global trend where more businesses are embracing digital assets as a form of payment. Real estate, which often involves substantial transactions and international deals, is particularly receptive to this trend. For buyers, using cryptocurrencies can sometimes be more efficient than traditional banking methods, especially for cross-border purchases.
By adding XRP and other popular cryptocurrencies to its payment options, Open House demonstrates its confidence in these digital assets as reliable payment methods for high-value transactions. This move is expected to simplify the purchasing process for foreign buyers, eliminating the need for complex wire transfers or currency exchanges.
