Gumi Inc., a leading name in Japanese gaming, has expanded its presence in digital assets with a board-approved plan to acquire XRP worth 2.5 billion Japanese yen, or approximately $17 million. The company framed the decision as part of a broader push to scale its blockchain business and reallocate capital into cryptocurrencies. The commitment follows Gumi’s earlier allocation to Bitcoin (BTC) on June 13, when it bought 1 billion yen (about $6.96 million) worth of BTC. Together, these crypto moves signal a measured corporate strategy to hold cryptocurrencies on its balance sheet rather than treat them as a side bet. Gumi Inc. board backs a crypto pivot Gumi disclosed the XRP plan on August 29 and set a purchase window from September 2025 through February 2026. Notably, the company’s messaging emphasises operational alignment with its blockchain roadmap, not a one-off trade. That cadence suggests treasury discipline and a desire to avoid market whiplash. The company’s board has cast the buy as a way to diversify liquid reserves while supporting new blockchain-enabled services. Why XRP, and why now? Notably, Gumi’s selection of XRP reads as both a technology choice and a treasury call. XRP majors on cross-border settlements, focusing on speed and predictable costs, and for a gaming company exploring global micro-transactions and digital marketplace flows, those traits are commercially relevant. There is a strategic backdrop as well. Gumi’s plans appear aligned with longtime Ripple ally SBI Holdings, whose involvement has helped normalise digital asset experimentation inside Japan’s financial system. SBI and Ripple recently signed a memorandum of understanding to bring the RLUSD stablecoin to Japan in the first quarter of 2026, widening the toolset for firms that want fiat-to-crypto fluidity. Notably, Japan has quietly emerged as one of the world’s most active regulatory environments for cryptocurrencies, and its openness is creating fertile ground for institutional adoption. By anchoring itself in XRP, Gumi is positioning itself to benefit from this supportive framework. If XRP gains deeper traction in cross-border payments and remittances, Japan could serve as the launchpad for a broader global role. Beyond the operational angle, Gumi’s buy is being read as a bet on XRP’s longer-term price trajectory. At the time of writing, XRP traded near $2.83, with a market capitalisation of about $168 billion and a 4.49% market share. While the altcoin currently sits roughly 22% below its all-time high and a confirmed bearish divergence on the weekly chart suggests caution, Bitcoin’s recent bullish divergence has provided momentum across altcoins, including XRP. Market analysis points to key support levels at $2.85–$2.90 and $2.75, and upside resistances at $3.10 and $3.34–$3.40. Should $3.40 give way to a bullish breakout, the XRP price could rocket to $5, earning Gumi a return on investment of around 77%. The post Japanese gaming conglomerate Gumi Inc. plans to acquire $17M XRP appeared first on Invezz
