BlackRock’s XRP Ledger Push Merges TradFi and Blockchain, Unlocking Tokenized Liquidity

BlackRock’s BUIDL Fund has announced plans to expand into the XRP Ledger (XRPL), marking a significant step in bridging traditional finance (TradFi) and blockchain infrastructure. The move, first disclosed in a German-language article, positions the $2 billion fund to integrate with Ripple’s ecosystem, leveraging the XRP Ledger’s growing adoption and transactional capabilities. This expansion is expected to enhance liquidity and utility for tokenized assets, with Ripple and Securitize identified as key partners in developing RLUSD smart contracts. The collaboration aims to automate liquidity for tokenized assets, a critical development as the XRP Ledger has seen a 430% surge in weekly payment volume between 2023 and 2025.

The integration of RLUSD, a stablecoin backed by the U.S. dollar, into BlackRock’s tokenization infrastructure could attract institutional and retail investors seeking stable-yield opportunities in crypto. Ripple’s Jack McDonald, SVP of Stablecoins, emphasized that the partnership represents a “next step” in connecting TradFi and crypto markets. Meanwhile, RLUSD has demonstrated resilience despite a modest performance since its 2024 launch, with a current market value of $741 million. The stablecoin’s expansion plans, including a collaboration with SBI Holdings for a 2026 launch in Japan, further underscore its strategic importance.

Concurrently, PEPENODE, a crypto presale project built on Ethereum, has raised $1.4 million in its early stages. The project’s gamified model, which allows investors to purchase virtual nodes, upgrade them, and burn tokens (70% of which are permanently removed), has attracted attention for its scarcity-driven mechanics. PEPENODE’s presale price has risen from $0.001004 to $0.00105–$0.00106, with over 210 billion tokens in circulation. However, the project’s valuation lacks external benchmarks, contrasting with XRP Tundra’s structured approach, which offers confirmed listing prices and audited smart contracts.

BlackRock’s XRP Ledger expansion is expected to bolster PEPENODE’s presale by reinforcing institutional confidence in blockchain-based assets. The XRP Ledger’s 5.6 million accounts and $4 billion in total transactions highlight its scalability, a factor that could drive adoption for projects like PEPENODE. Additionally, XRP Tundra’s dual-token model—TUNDRA-S on Solana for yield and TUNDRA-X on XRPL for governance—provides investors with a clear economic framework, including a Phase 2 presale price of $0.02 per TUNDRA-S with a 18% token bonus. This transparency has drawn capital from PEPENODE investors seeking structured returns, with projected multipliers of up to 125× for TUNDRA-S before bonuses and TUNDRA-X are factored in.

The integration of staking and yield systems in XRP Tundra further distinguishes it from PEPENODE’s speculative model. Cryo Vaults allow XRP holders to lock tokens for 7–90 days, with yields scaling up to 30% APY. Flexibility is added through Frost Keys, NFTs that enable shorter lock-ups or multiplier boosts. While staking is not yet live, presale participants will gain priority access once the system activates. Independent audits by Cyberscope, Solidproof, and Freshcoins have also reduced risk perceptions, a feature absent in many presales.

BlackRock’s XRP Ledger initiative aligns with broader trends in tokenization and institutional adoption. Monica Long, Ripple’s president, highlighted partnerships with DBS Bank and Franklin Templeton as steps toward solving liquidity and utility challenges in tokenized assets. These developments, coupled with PEPENODE’s presale momentum and XRP Tundra’s structured approach, suggest a maturing crypto market where institutional-grade infrastructure and retail innovation coexist. For investors, the convergence of TradFi and blockchain is creating new opportunities to balance risk and reward in an evolving asset class.