XRP is quietly developing strongly in the payment sector of Japan.

Mai, co-founder of the XRPL Japan Association, shared a video about X from the after-party of the XRPL Japan Community Day showing someone paying for beer and tacos with XRP. The transaction was completed via mobile phone, visually illustrating the utility of the token in a real-world context. According to her notes, the payment has been successfully made using XRP, highlighting the ongoing efforts to promote real-world use cases for digital assets in the growing XRP community in Japan. Paying XRP in action at the community meetup The video describes a simple yet purposeful demonstration of using XRP for transaction payments for food and beverages. This simple yet significant moment is presented as part of a larger effort to normalize digital payments through the XRP Ledger. Context—a light party after the XRPL Japan Community Day—allows attendees and followers to witness the practicality of XRP in informal, everyday situations. Images of users making payments with mobile devices highlighted the token's potential as a reliable means of exchange. Mixed reactions from the XRP and Crypto community The responses to Mai's post are quite diverse. Some users have compared it to Bitcoin's early milestones. Such a reaction came from Michael Gigliotti, who suggested that that moment could be remembered similarly to Bitcoin's first commercial transaction—paying for pizza in 2010. With a related tone, a commentator named LFC Fan suggested that one day, this day could be considered "XRP Taco Day," referencing a potential tradition in the XRP community to celebrate the first day of its real-world use. Not all feedback shares this optimistic perspective. A more critical response came from a user identified as Shine195, who expressed disappointment at the lack of movement in the price of XRP and considered it less attractive compared to Bitcoin. They criticized the continued positioning of XRP alongside BTC, asserting that XRP significantly lags behind in value and market performance. Such comments reflect a long-standing divide in the community between those focused on utility and those prioritizing asset price increases. Local utilities are a driving force for wider adoption. Mai's video and the XRPL Japan community play a role as part of a larger strategy to raise awareness about XRP, not just as a speculative asset. By making it display in the context of everyday reality—such as buying tacos and drinks—supporters want to emphasize its transaction efficiency and simplicity. These basic applications help the public engage with tokens outside of abstract discussions on the blockchain or trading platforms. As more community events adopt similar activities, such protests can serve as a model for broader adoption in retail and social contexts.