In a stunning turn of events, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has confirmed that $XRP will be delisted from all major Japanese exchanges, following unexpected regulatory guidance from Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA). This announcement has sent shockwaves through the crypto market and ignited fresh debate about the future of $XRP in Asia.
🚨 From Courtroom Victory to Regional Retreat
The news comes just weeks after Ripple’s apparent legal win against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a development that was supposed to mark a new era of legitimacy for the XRP token. But now, Japan—once hailed as Ripple’s most XRP-friendly market—is shutting its doors.
Major Japanese exchanges including BitFlyer, Coincheck, and Liquid have already halted all XRP trading, triggering a rapid sell-off. The result? XRP has plummeted by 16%, erasing weeks of post-lawsuit gains.
🌏 A Blow to Global Liquidity
According to analysts, this mass delisting could shrink global XRP liquidity by an estimated 11%, a significant dent for a token already facing adoption headwinds. The sudden policy shift is not only a regulatory challenge—it’s a strategic setback in one of Ripple’s most important international strongholds.
⚔️ XLM Gains as XRP Stumbles
In a twist of crypto rivalry, Stellar (XLM)—often viewed as XRP’s decentralized cousin—has seen a 6% price bump in the wake of the news. Traders appear to be rotating into XLM, anticipating that Ripple’s regulatory turmoil could translate into market share gains for other cross-border payment solutions.
🏛️ Ripple Plans to Fight Back
Ripple Labs has announced plans to challenge the FSA’s ruling in court, aiming to preserve its footprint in the Japanese market. However, investors are rattled. Confidence in XRP’s long-term global viability is now in question, with many wondering whether this is just the beginning of a broader Asian exodus.
