XRP News Today: Ripple Partners With Web3 Salon To Offer $200,000 Grants To Japanese Startups

Ripple, a leading blockchain technology company, has partnered with Web3 Salon, a prominent Web3 community in Japan, to offer grants of up to $200,000 to startups in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and real-world asset (RWA) sectors. This initiative is part of Ripple's broader strategy to foster innovation and growth on the XRP Ledger, particularly in the Japanese market. The grants will be awarded to eligible projects over the coming year, with each project receiving up to $200,000 in funding. This move underscores Ripple's commitment to supporting the development of the Web3 ecosystem in Japan and beyond.

The collaboration between Ripple and Web3 Salon is a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating the growth of Web3 technologies in Japan. By providing substantial financial support to startups, Ripple and Web3 Salon aim to encourage the development of innovative solutions that leverage the XRP Ledger's capabilities. This initiative is part of the XRPL Japan and Korea program, which focuses on expanding the use of the XRP Ledger in these regions. The grants will be used to support projects that demonstrate potential in the DeFi and RWA sectors, areas that are increasingly gaining traction in the blockchain industry.

Web3 Salon, backed by the Japan External Trade Organization, will work alongside Ripple to provide additional resources to selected startups. This includes access to networking opportunities, expert guidance, and mentorship. The collaboration will also feature a series of four major community events running through March 2026. These gatherings are designed to increase exposure for early-stage projects by hosting startup pitch sessions, educational workshops, and panel discussions with investors, regulators, and developers, covering topics from compliance to cross-border growth strategy.

This new grant program is the latest move in Ripple’s long-standing and successful engagement with the Japanese market. The company’s partner, financial giant SBI Holdings, has been a key driver of XRP adoption, using RippleNet for its SBI Remit cross-border money transfer service and offering XRP trading to institutional and retail users through SBI VC Trade. Adoption has also spread across other sectors. The popular e-commerce platform Mercari recently integrated XRP payments into its app, while real estate firm Open House Group now accepts XRP for property transactions, cementing the digital asset’s growing utility in one of Asia’s most important economies.

Christina Chan, senior director of developer growth at RippleX, emphasized the company's intention to back early-stage innovation and assist teams developing on XRPL. The XRPL Japan and Korea Fund, launched as part of Ripple’s regional growth program, is the primary source of funding for the new grants. This initiative is part of Ripple's broader strategy to foster innovation and growth on the XRP Ledger, particularly in the Japanese market. The grants will be awarded to eligible projects over the coming year, with each project receiving up to $200,000 in funding. This move underscores Ripple's commitment to supporting the development of the Web3 ecosystem in Japan and beyond.