Ripple Partners with Web3 Salon to Fuel Japan’s Next Generation of Web3 Startups

Finance

Ripple Partners with Web3 Salon to Fuel Japans Next Generation of Web3 Startups

In a major step toward expanding blockchain innovation in Asia, Ripple has announced a strategic partnership with Web3 Salon, a startup ecosystem initiative backed by JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) and powered by the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan.

The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of Japans digital asset sector by offering targeted support to early-stage blockchain ventures.

Advancing Web3 in a High-Potential Market

Japan‘s reputation for strong regulatory infrastructure, deep technical talent, and rising interest in financial innovation makes it a fertile ground for blockchain development. Ripple’s new initiative taps into this momentum through its XRPL Japan and Korea Fund, a subset of its broader 1 Billion XRP developer commitment.

Through the partnership, Ripple will provide up to $200,000 in grant funding per project over the next year. The grants will be awarded to a select group of early-stage Japanese startups building on the XRP Ledger (XRPL)—particularly those focused on DeFi, tokenized real-world assets (RWA), and digital payments.

Grant recipients will be chosen based on growth potential, technical innovation, and alignment with Ripples long-term priorities. Ripple will manage the process directly to ensure high-impact outcomes, while also providing access to its global partner and customer network.

Building Ecosystem Strength Through Mentorship and Support

While Ripple delivers funding and infrastructure connectivity, Web3 Salon will focus on founder enablement—offering mentorship programs, workshops, and curated access to regulators and investors. The dual-track approach combines financial support with the real-world tools founders need to scale their businesses.

This collaboration also emphasizes cross-sector engagement, positioning itself as more than a grant program. Ripple and Web3 Salon envision a multi-stakeholder platform to bridge the divide between traditional finance and emerging blockchain technologies through direct coaching, roundtables, and ecosystem-wide dialogue.

As Japan emerges as a Web3 leader in Asia, this partnership reflects Ripples broader vision to empower developers, strengthen the XRP Ledger ecosystem, and fuel global digital asset adoption from the ground up.