Ripple Labs is expanding its presence in Japan by launching a fintech startup support program in collaboration with major financial institutions. The initiative, called the Japan Financial Infrastructure Innovation Program, targets projects in three key areas: stablecoins, real-world asset tokenization, and lending infrastructure based on the XRP Ledger. Applications opened on December 19, and each selected startup will receive a $10,000 grant.
Ripple Labs and Collaboration with Japanese Banks
The project involves major players in the Japanese market, highlighting the intent to integrate blockchain solutions into traditional banking infrastructure. The initiative includes both technology communities and institutional partners ready to support the launch and testing of solutions under regulatory frameworks. This combination can help startups work closely with banks and professional financial service providers.
Japan Financial Infrastructure Innovation Program
The program officially launched with the opening of applications on December 19 and offers participants a targeted $10,000 grant to develop regulated digital products. JFIIP focuses on three verticals: stablecoins, asset tokenization (RWA), and lending infrastructure, which guide project selection and further evaluation. Organizers aim to select teams that can later access broader resources and a partner network.
XRPL Network Statistics
Alongside the program launch, the XRPL network has seen a decrease in total value locked (TVL): the figure dropped from $120 million to $62 million. This reflects changes in ecosystem liquidity and indicates that XRPL protocols currently face challenges maintaining previous asset volumes. However, the TVL decline does not diminish the platform's efforts to develop institutional relationships and product verticals.
Asset Tokenization and Competition
According to Rwa.xyz, the XRPL network ranks ninth worldwide by tokenized instrument volume, with a total valuation of about $213 million. This position shows that the tokenization segment remains competitive and that XRPL currently trails larger platforms in market share. Both technical solutions and integration with the banking ecosystem are crucial for developing this niche.
If you want to learn more about Ripple's interaction with institutional infrastructure, see the article on Ripple's investments in TJM, which discusses steps to develop services for major players.
Why This Matters
For a miner in Russia with 1–1000 devices, the program launch is unlikely to have a direct impact: it does not change your equipment operation or mining process. However, efforts to integrate XRPL with banks and develop tokenization could eventually alter the ecosystem's applications and services, affecting demand for transaction services and network infrastructure. Monitoring such initiatives is useful to understand potential ecosystem changes and adjust income sources accordingly.
What to Do?
- Monitor loads and fees: regularly check how network activity changes affect fees and transaction confirmation times.
- Diversify income: besides mining, consider earning from liquidity services or staking if you participate in them.
- Watch project liquidity on XRPL: declining TVL may impact token exchange availability and fund withdrawals.
- Keep software and security updated: maintain firmware and farm management programs up to date and follow basic security measures.
- Read relevant publications: to understand tokenization trends, check the article on the role of developing countries in tokenization.