Released in Japan this week $XRP Proven by payment history of 44 million Rakuten users $XRP Live Bank Pilot settles 60% cheaper than SWIFT and completes regulated blockchain token platform. Now, the man who created the Ripple and SBI partnership has just raised $100 million to take it further.
Emi Yoshikawa, former vice president of strategy and operations at Ripple, has launched Across Ventures Fund I, a $100 million fund of funds backed by SBI Holdings as an anchor limited partner.
All about former Ripple Vice President Emi Yoshikawa
Mr. Yoshikawa spent eight years at Ripple. She led corporate strategy, international expansion, joint ventures, and the launch of Ripple’s ecosystem fund. She became a director of SBI Ripple Asia, a joint venture that formed the basis of SBI Ripple Asia. $XRPpresence of the entire organization in Japan.
The SBI CEO spoke candidly about why he supported her.
“We have built a strong relationship based on mutual trust since Mr. Yoshikawa’s time at Ripple. Mr. Yoshikawa has played a central role in successfully advancing our strategic joint venture with SBI Holdings.” The company stated this in an official announcement.
She founded Across Ventures in 2025 and SBI followed there.
What will the $100 million SBI-backed fund invest in?
Across Ventures invests as a fund of funds in specialized micro-VCs across blockchain and fintech, AI and physical AI, climate technology, and deep technology.
Its goal is specific: to give Japanese companies systematic access to early-stage Silicon Valley innovations that were previously out of reach.
SBI’s role goes beyond providing capital. The firm will leverage its network across Asia’s banking and technology to increase the investment weight of the fund and actively support deal sourcing and investment screening.
Ripple and Japan: What is being built?
April 2026 was a very intense month. $XRP and the activities of the XRPL organization in Japan.
SBI Ripple Asia has completed its XRPL token issuance platform and secured registration under Japan’s Payment Services Act on April 7th. $XRP Tokyo showed living proof of that. $XRP Reduce cross-border costs by up to 60% compared to SWIFT. SBI launches 10 billion yen blockchain bond to pay investors $XRP In February.
The network that Yoshikawa helped build inside Ripple is simultaneously expanding in all aspects.
“Across Ventures will work to build a platform to co-create next-generation industries with Japanese companies.” Mr. Yoshikawa said this in an official announcement.
The $100 million fund is not a departure from the Ripple and SBI story. This is the next chapter, and Yoshikawa is now working externally with her own capital and with the support of the same institutions she helped found. $XRP Ecosystem 10 years ago.
