XRP is playing a larger role in Asia’s digital economy. The report says that by 2026, the token could become the backbone of reward tokenization, changing the way people use and spend digital assets across the region. Jesse from Apex Crypto Consulting recently said that the partnership with Ripple is expanding in Japan and other countries, paving the way for XRP to lead this transformation.
Ripple and SBI Ripple Asia partner up
The biggest move came from SBI Ripple Asia, a joint venture between Ripple and SBI Holdings. The group has signed a contract with Tobu Top Tours, one of Japan’s largest travel agencies. The two companies will work together to create a new payments and rewards platform on top of the XRP Ledger (XRPL), connecting digital tokens to NFTs and everyday payments.
Travel, tourism and digital benefits
This platform is more than just payments. This is set to power NFT souvenirs, travel vouchers, and region-based reward tokens that drive local spending. The goal is to launch services by the first half of 2026, placing XRP at the center of Asia’s growing token economy.
Expanding support network
Ripple’s influence in Japan is already significant, with over 80% of major banks tied to the XRP system. SBI Holdings itself holds billions worth of XRP, showing how much support this project has. Additionally, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority recently mentioned Ripple in its tokenization payments plan, further evidence of Ripple’s growing role in Asia.
Why this matters for the future
At events like the 2025 Osaka Expo, which is expected to attract nearly 30 million visitors, systems that utilize XRP will be a big part of the event. XRPL is shaping up to be the ideal platform for this next wave of adoption due to its low fees, fast transactions, and environmentally friendly design.
“This is not just about trading,” Jesse explained. “XRP acts as a bridge between tokens, NFTs, and real-world payments.”
If these plans come to fruition as expected, XRP could soon become the cornerstone of Asia’s tokenized economy.