Brinc, a notable venture capital firm based in Hong Kong, has unveiled an ambitious innovation program powered by the $XRP Ledger in collaboration with Ripple. The initiative, termed the Hong Kong Financial Innovation Program (HFIP), opened applications on June 8, 2026, with the aim of nurturing the next wave of payment systems and financial infrastructure targeted primarily at the Hong Kong and broader Asian markets.
The HFIP is designed as an accelerator to support early-stage companies, particularly those at pre-seed to Series A funding stages. By leveraging the capabilities of the $XRP Ledger, the program seeks to foster startups working on advanced financial solutions, including cross-border payment systems, settlement networks, and stablecoin infrastructure. The overarching goal is to equip these startups with the necessary tools to create practical financial applications that can effectively serve businesses and institutions across Asia.
Selected participants in the HFIP will benefit from guidance and support from seasoned operators and investors, alongside access to a network of global corporations and institutional partners. This comprehensive support system is expected to facilitate valuable business relationships for the budding entrepreneurs. Notably, the program also offers the unique advantage of non-dilutive grant funding, providing startups with financial resources without requiring them to relinquish equity.
Brinc and Ripple have characterized the HFIP as a pioneering accelerator aimed at shaping the future of finance in the Asian region. The program capitalizes on the XRPL’s capacity to process fast and cost-effective cross-border transactions, which is integral to its mission. Applications for the program are currently being accepted, with details available through a link shared in the official announcement.
Brinc, which operates on a global scale with a presence in regions such as Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, India, Japan, and the broader Middle East and North Africa, has a history of launching various accelerators and corporate innovation programs. Their recent efforts include a Web3 accelerator established in Hong Kong in 2025, focusing on payment and loyalty solutions, in partnership with entities like Octopus, XDC Network, and IDA.
Ripple, on its part, has been actively investing in the development of the XRPL ecosystem through initiatives like XRPL Grants and the XRPL Accelerator. The company has collaborated with organizations such as Tenity in Singapore and the Dubai International Financial Centre to offer similar funding and mentorship opportunities. Additionally, Ripple has supported regional funds in Japan and South Korea and has engaged in pilot projects with financial institutions in the area.
The launch of the HFIP coincides with Hong Kong’s strengthening reputation as a hub for fintech and Web3 innovation, bolstered by supportive regulations from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). Ripple’s prior involvement in Hong Kong’s financial ecosystem is exemplified by its participation in the HKMA’s e-HKD central bank digital currency pilot in 2023, which explored innovative use cases such as tokenized real estate and home equity lines of credit.
Overall, the Hong Kong Financial Innovation Program stands as a significant step toward fostering financial innovation and advancing the use of the $XRP Ledger across Asia’s foremost financial center.
