Tokyo, March 22, 2025 — Open House Group Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese real estate firm, has officially added Ripple’s XRP to its list of accepted payment options for property purchases, joining Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (Doge), and Solana (SOL). The Tokyo-based company, which reported annual sales exceeding one trillion yen, announced the move as part of its strategy to streamline financial transactions and embrace digital assets for practical use.
The decision, effective immediately, allows customers to use XRP and other cryptocurrencies to buy a wide range of properties, including residential homes, condominiums, and single-room apartments. Open House Group first ventured into crypto payments on January 31, 2025, starting with BTC and ETH, and has now expanded its offerings. The company emphasized its vision of leveraging digital assets for cross-border payments and micropayments, rather than treating them as speculative investments. “We aim to simplify property purchases and enhance accessibility for our clients,” a company spokesperson stated.
Former Ripple Vice President of Strategy Initiatives, Emi Yoshikawa, highlighted the development in an X post, calling it a significant milestone given Open House’s stature as Japan’s fifth-largest real estate firm by revenue. The company’s adoption of XRP aligns with its ongoing exploration of blockchain technology, including its sponsorship of Bitcoin Lightning Network research since 2022. Alongside the crypto expansion, Open House also launched a Chinese-language website to cater to international buyers, further broadening its reach.
Open House clarified that customers using crypto payments must comply with local laws, including tax regulations, and bear responsibility for their transactions. The firm also cautioned that digital assets could be subject to seizure depending on jurisdictional rules. This pragmatic approach underscores its commitment to balancing innovation with regulatory adherence.
Impact on XRP and Crypto Adoption
The inclusion of XRP by Open House Group could propel the token’s adoption and value, especially following recent positive developments. On March 19, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission had dropped its appeal in a long-running lawsuit against the company, boosting XRP’s market sentiment. Ranked as the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, XRP has also been added to U.S. crypto reserve discussions, signaling growing institutional acceptance.
Yoshikawa noted that Open House’s dominance in Japan’s real estate sector—spanning property development, sales, and management across major cities—could drive XRP usage among buyers, enhancing its utility. In 2023, XRP saw a 42% increase in payment transactions on BitPay, a global crypto payment platform, ranking it among the most-used digital assets for real-world purchases. This latest move by Open House reinforces that trend, positioning XRP as a viable option for high-value transactions like real estate.
