Ripple's Custody Tech Turns Stablecoins into Climate Resilience Tools

Ripple Custody is facilitating institutional access to digital assets through robust infrastructure, positioning institutions to capitalize on a $16 trillion tokenized financial landscape by 2030. The firm is leveraging its custody solutions to expand the adoption of stablecoins, such as Ripple USD (RLUSD), while enabling secure, regulated management of digital assets across various use cases including remittances, treasury operations, and tokenized assets [3].

Ripple has recently extended its reach into Africa by partnering with fintech platforms Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card to offer RLUSD. This U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin is now accessible to institutional users in the region, supporting cross-border payments, liquidity management, and on-chain settlements. RLUSD, launched in late 2024 and issued by a New York trust company regulated by the state’s Department of Financial Services, has surpassed $700 million in supply on the Ethereum and XRP Ledger blockchains [1].

The expansion into Africa aligns with a growing demand for stablecoins in emerging markets, where limited access to traditional banking infrastructure makes digital alternatives more appealing. Stablecoins like USDT are already widely used for savings and international transfers in Africa, but RLUSD introduces a regulated option tailored for institutional adoption. Its deployment is further supported by compliance features that make it a trusted digital dollar for enterprise-grade applications [1].

Beyond payments, RLUSD is also being tested in real-world use cases, particularly in climate risk insurance programs in Kenya. Mercy Corps Ventures is piloting a project where RLUSD is held in escrow and automatically released when satellite data detects drought or extreme weather conditions. These use cases demonstrate how digital assets can serve broader economic and social functions, extending their utility beyond traditional financial applications [2].

Ripple’s custody infrastructure is a key enabler of these institutional activities. The firm’s custody solution supports core safekeeping, stablecoin issuance, and governance automation. By offering secure storage of private keys, Ripple Custody provides the foundational security required for institutions to engage with digital assets confidently. Additionally, it supports stablecoin lifecycle management on both the XRP Ledger and EVM-compatible chains, enabling institutions to mint, burn, and manage stablecoins efficiently [3].

Governance modernization is another critical use case. Ripple Custody acts as an orchestration platform, integrating public and private blockchains with core banking systems to automate processes such as settlements, reconciliations, and reporting. This integration reduces operational inefficiencies, lowers costs, and minimizes counterparty risks—factors that are becoming increasingly important as tokenization transforms capital markets [3].

Ripple’s strategic partnerships and custody infrastructure reflect a broader shift in digital asset adoption, where secure, regulated solutions are becoming essential for institutional players. As the market evolves, Ripple Custody is positioned to support institutions in navigating the complexities of digital finance, offering the flexibility, security, and compliance needed to thrive in the tokenized future [3].

Source:

[1] Ripple Expands Dollar-Backed Stablecoin RLUSD to Africa (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ripple-expands-dollar-backed-stablecoin-063813235.html)

[2] Ripple Brings $700M RLUSD Stablecoin to Africa, Trials (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/09/04/ripple-brings-usd700m-rlusd-stablecoin-to-africa-trials-extreme-weather-insurances)

[3] Digital Asset Custody In-Action: Three Use Cases Driving Institutional Adoption (https://ripple.com/insights/digital-asset-custody-in-action-three-use-cases-driving-institutional-adoption/)