Ripple's Regulated Stablecoin Aims to Reshape Africa's Cross-Border Finance

Ripple is expanding its U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD), into Africa through strategic partnerships with fintech platforms Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card. The initiative aims to provide institutional users across the continent with access to a regulated, enterprise-grade digital dollar designed for cross-border payments, liquidity, and on-chain settlement. Launched in late 2024, RLUSD has already reached a supply of over $700 million on Ethereum and the XRP Ledger, according to RWA.xyz data. The stablecoin is issued by a New York trust company regulated by the state’s Department of Financial Services, ensuring compliance and trust in its operations [1].

Ripple’s expansion into Africa aligns with the growing demand for fast, low-cost cross-border payment solutions in regions with limited access to traditional banking infrastructure. In many parts of the continent, stablecoins like USDT have already been used for savings and international transfers. RLUSD’s introduction offers a regulated alternative specifically tailored for institutional use cases, where liquidity and compliance are critical. The stablecoin is expected to serve a range of functions, including remittance processing, treasury management, and collateral for tokenized asset trading, reinforcing its utility in both crypto and traditional financial ecosystems [2].

The partnerships with Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card underscore Ripple’s commitment to fostering institutional adoption of blockchain technology across Africa. Chipper Cash CEO Ham Serunjogi noted that RLUSD is positioned to drive institutional use of blockchain globally, particularly in cross-border payments. VALR CEO Farzam Ehsani emphasized the growing demand for high-quality, compliant digital assets, while Yellow Card CEO Chris Maurice highlighted the need for stablecoins that can reliably facilitate cross-border payments and treasury operations. These partnerships also reflect a broader trend of collaboration between traditional financial infrastructure providers and fintech platforms to meet the evolving needs of businesses and institutional clients [1].

Beyond payments, RLUSD is being piloted in real-world use cases related to climate risk mitigation. In Kenya, Mercy Corps Ventures is testing the stablecoin in insurance programs that respond to environmental conditions. One initiative holds RLUSD in escrow and releases funds automatically when satellite data detects drought conditions, while another pilot provides rainfall insurance, triggering payouts during extreme weather events. These trials demonstrate how stablecoins can be integrated into smart contract-based solutions, offering transparency and efficiency in disaster response and risk management [3].

Ripple’s broader strategy for RLUSD includes expanding its availability across major exchanges such as Bitstamp, Kraken, and Gemini. The stablecoin is increasingly becoming accessible for enterprises seeking compliance-grade infrastructure for digital assets. With additional listings across platforms like Bitso, Bullish, and Mercado Bitcoin, Ripple aims to position RLUSD as a preferred stablecoin for regulated institutions worldwide. The company also recently integrated RLUSD into its Ripple Payments solution, enhancing the utility of stablecoins in cross-border transactions and expanding its reach to a global audience [3].

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[1] 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)

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

[3] Ripple's USD-backed stablecoin RLUSD arrives in Africa (https://ripple.com/ripple-press/ripples-usd-backed-stablecoin-rlusd-arrives-in-Africa/)