Ripple has announced a partnership with Web3 Salon. Web3 Salon is a project backed by Japan’s External Trade Organization (JETRO) and powered by the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan.
The partnership aims to empower early-stage startups that build on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The assistance includes grant funding of up to $200,000 per project, mentorship, and ecosystem support. This would signal a major push to position Japan as a global hub for Web3 innovation.
$200K for XRPL Builders
The initiative, part of a broader 1 billion XRP commitment, targets startups developing real-world solutions in decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenized assets (RWA), and digital payments. Selected projects will receive not only financial backing but also access to Ripple’s global network of partners, technical experts, and enterprise clients.
Startups will be evaluated based on their technological sophistication, scalability, and alignment with Ripple’s vision for enterprise-grade blockchain adoption. The grants are under the direct management of Ripple to ensure strategic impact, with Web3 Salon leading on-the-ground mentorship and regulatory navigation.
Web3 Salon will provide hands-on support through workshops, investor networking, and policy guidance.
The alliance also includes four significant events throughout Japan, scheduled to take place from March 2026. They intend to promote cooperation among investors, regulators, and startups. For firms looking to grow outside of Japan, these events will include pitch contests, panels on tokenization and compliance, and workshops on cross-border expansion.
Crypto Regulations Encourage Ripple Expansion
Japan has long been a leader in cryptocurrency regulation, with clear rules that safeguard consumers and attract institutions. Due to collaborations with industry titans like SBI Holdings, which utilizes RippleNet for cross-border payments, and Mercari, which incorporates the XRP coin for e-commerce, by the end of 2025, there is potential for more than 80% of Japanese banks to implement Ripple’s XRP-based solutions.
Japan’s organized environment can be intimidating for businesses, even with these advancements. By providing entrepreneurs with a lifeline through complicated compliance standards, the partnership with Web3 Salon seeks to remove obstacles.
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