XRP Overtakes Ethereum as the Most Actively Traded Altcoin in Japan

This shift highlights not only the token's enduring appeal in Japan but also signals deeper changes in investor sentiment and institutional alignment within the nation's maturing crypto ecosystem.

Recently released data from SBI Group, one of Japan’s most prominent financial institutions, has revealed that XRP has officially overtaken Ethereum as the most actively traded altcoin in the country.

This shift highlights not only the token’s enduring appeal in Japan but also signals deeper changes in investor sentiment and institutional alignment within the nation’s maturing crypto ecosystem.

XRP Outpaces Ethereum in Trading Volume

New data from SBI VC Trade highlights that XRP/JPY trading pairs registered higher volumes last month than ETH/JPY pairs. This milestone marks a significant change in Japan’s altcoin landscape, as Ethereum has traditionally held the second spot behind Bitcoin.

Solana and Dogecoin also made the top five list of most traded altcoins, but XRP’s dominance over Ethereum is by far the most notable trend in Japan’s crypto markets right now.

This shift in trading volume signals a strong preference for utility-driven digital assets among Japanese investors.

While Ethereum is known for its smart contract platform and DeFi applications, XRP is broadly recognized for its role in facilitating faster and more cost-effective cross-border payments.

This distinction appears to be tipping the scales in XRP’s favor as investors seek out tokens with clear use cases and a vision for the future of finance.

Institutions Are Pivoting Towards XRP

One of the major forces driving XRP’s dominance is its deepening integration into Japan’s financial sector. Reports indicate that nearly 80% of Japanese banks are preparing to integrate XRP into their systems within the year.

This strategic alignment between Ripple and traditional banking institutions has been years in the making and now appears to be paying off.

Spearheaded by partnerships with financial powerhouses like SBI Holdings, Ripple has positioned XRP as a practical tool for cross-border transactions. The Japanese banking industry’s gradual move toward adopting XRP reflects growing trust in the coin’s underlying technology and real-world utility.

SBI Group’s Role and Kitao’s Support

SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao has long been one of XRP’s most vocal supporters. His support stems from the token’s ability to streamline international remittances, a point he frequently highlights in contrasting Bitcoin and XRP.

Kitao has described Bitcoin as lacking “intrinsic value,” while praising XRP for its scalable use cases in the banking and fintech sectors. This open criticism of Bitcoin has also contributed to a relative decrease in the coin’s presence in Japan's markets, further boosting XRP's position.

This consistent endorsement from such a key industry leader has played a critical role in XRP’s widespread acceptance across Japan’s financial landscape.

Retail Access Expands Through Mercoin

Beyond institutional adoption, XRP is also gaining traction among retail users. Japanese e-commerce app Mercoin, which caters to millions of users, now offers XRP as a supported crypto payment and investment option.

This move is introducing XRP to a broader audience, particularly first-time crypto buyers.

Former Ripple executive Emi Yoshikawa has noted that a large portion of Mercoin’s user base consists of newcomers to digital assets. This development is pivotal, as it allows XRP to grow organically from the ground up — not just via institutional backing but also through grassroots engagement with everyday consumers.

A Redefined Altcoin Landscape

XRP’s new status as the most traded altcoin in Japan is more than a statistical anomaly — it’s a reflection of years of groundwork laid through strategic alliances, regulatory clarity, and public trust.

As both banking institutions and individual users continue to adopt XRP at scale, its dominance in the Japanese market may well serve as a model for other countries exploring functional, compliant crypto integration.

With investor behavior shifting, financial institutions aligning, and consumer access expanding, XRP's trajectory in Japan showcases what long-term adoption looks like when vision, infrastructure, and market readiness converge.