Ripple Partners With Major Japanese Banks on XRPL Push

• Ripple’s Japan program offers $10K grants for startups building stablecoins, tokenized assets and credit infrastructure.

• Mizuho, SMBC Nikko and Securitize Japan back XRPL integration, connecting blockchain tools to traditional financial networks.

• XRPL’s TVL fell to $62M, ranking ninth in tokenized asset value, indicating competition despite institutional engagement.

Ripple announced that it partnered with Mizuho Bank, SMBC Nikko Securities and Securitize Japan to expand the XRP Ledger’s use in Japan’s financial sector. The collaboration takes place nationwide as the company backs new infrastructure plans. It happened to support regulated digital finance and broaden XRPL utility through structured programs and partnerships.

Japan Program Prioritizes Regulated Digital Finance

The Japan Financial Infrastructure Innovation Program (JFIIP) launched in December 2025 with $10,000 grants for local startups building on the XRP Ledger. The program targets stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets, and credit infrastructure.

According to Christina Chan, Senior Director of Developer Growth at RippleX, Japan offers a regulatory environment and a skilled workforce for blockchain development. This establishes a structure for projects that align with local compliance expectations. The grants also help startups access resources to continue building practical use cases.

Major Institutions Support XRPL Integration Efforts

Mizuho Bank, SMBC Nikko Securities and Securitize Japan joined the initiative to support development tied to digital finance. Their involvement connects Ripple to established financial networks and regulated markets.

This gives the company access to traditional banking rails while exploring technology that could support faster transactions. The collaboration seeks to integrate XRPL tools into existing services without promotional language or assumptions about future performance. It also creates a defined channel for cooperation between banks and blockchain developers.

XRPL Growth Faces Measurable Market Challenges

However, data shows the XRP Ledger’s Total Value Locked declined from about $120 million in July to roughly $62 million in December. This reflects reduced liquidity in decentralized finance activity.

XRPL also ranks ninth in tokenized asset value at around $213 million, which places it behind larger networks like Ethereum. These figures show competition across digital asset markets, even as institutional engagement in Japan expands.

The company continues positioning Japan as a target region for structured development rather than speculative growth.