XRP News Today: XRP Dominates Japan's Crypto Market Amid Strong Trading Volumes and Retail Demand

Japanese investors have consistently positioned XRP as one of the most actively traded cryptocurrencies in the country. A recent chart shared by crypto researcher SMQKE illustrates this dominance, showing that XRP accounted for 1.356 billion units traded in February 2022, significantly outpacing Ripple’s competitors like Symbol and Stellar, which recorded 826 million and 383 million units respectively [1]. By comparison, Bitcoin and Ethereum accounted for only a fraction of the unit volume. This snapshot reaffirms XRP’s stronghold in Japan’s digital asset market.

The influence of Japanese investors extends beyond trading volume and directly impacts price movements. The document notes that “a significant portion of XRP’s price movement has been caused by Japanese investors buying the cryptocurrency and driving the price up” [1]. This trend highlights the active participation of retail investors in the market, who continue to view XRP as a compelling option. Their sustained engagement has not only enhanced liquidity but also kept XRP at the forefront of Japan’s crypto landscape [1].

Despite Ethereum’s global dominance as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, some Japanese investors find XRP more appealing. This sentiment is supported by survey data from BITMAX in 2020, which indicated that XRP was nearly as popular as Bitcoin, with Ethereum trailing behind [1]. The chart from SMQKE further reinforces this preference, demonstrating that XRP’s popularity in Japan remains robust over time [1].

Institutional support also plays a critical role in XRP’s appeal. SBI Holdings, one of Japan’s leading financial groups, has been a long-time partner of Ripple, integrating XRP into various payment and remittance services since 2017 [1]. This institutional backing adds credibility to the asset and supports its adoption among both retail and institutional investors [1].

The SMQKE chart is a clear indicator of XRP’s market strength in Japan. Trading volumes reflect investor confidence, while survey data and institutional partnerships provide insight into the underlying reasons for XRP’s popularity. Japanese investors continue to view XRP as a valuable and practical digital asset, backed by both retail enthusiasm and corporate leadership. As a result, XRP maintains a unique and leading position in the Japanese crypto market [1].

Japan’s broader regulatory developments may also contribute to XRP’s sustained appeal. While XRP is not a stablecoin, the upcoming approval of JPYC—the first yen-backed stablecoin—could signal increased confidence in blockchain-based financial tools [3]. This regulatory progress may create a more favorable environment for alternative digital assets like XRP, encouraging greater market participation and investor interest [3].

However, XRP’s performance has remained relatively modest compared to some emerging high-growth tokens. Analysts have noted that newer, lower-cost options are attracting attention from investors [6]. Despite this, the influence of Japanese investors remains a key factor in XRP’s price behavior, indicating that the asset’s strong regional support is unlikely to wane in the near term [1].

The relationship between Japan’s evolving regulatory landscape, stablecoin adoption, and investor sentiment toward XRP highlights the country’s growing importance in the global cryptocurrency market. As JPYC moves closer to approval, the broader implications for XRP and similar assets are expected to become more evident [3].

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Source:

[1] https://timestabloid.com/heres-why-japanese-investors-like-xrp/

[3] https://coincentral.com/why-japans-new-yen-stablecoin-matters-for-global-crypto-markets/

[6] https://www.mitrade.com/au/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1045966-20250817