Ripple's Regulated Stablecoin Targets Africa's Institutional Payment Hunger

Ripple has expanded its dollar-backed stablecoin Ripple USD (RLUSD) into Africa, forming strategic partnerships with local fintech platforms to enhance institutional adoption of the digital asset. The move, announced in a recent blog post, aims to provide regulated access to a stable digital dollar for institutional users across the continent, where demand for efficient cross-border payment infrastructure continues to rise. The collaboration includes partnerships with Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card—three prominent fintech platforms operating in Africa. RLUSD is designed for enterprise-grade use cases, including remittances, treasury management, and tokenized asset trading, positioning it as a regulated and compliant solution for institutional clients [4].

Launched in late 2024, RLUSD is issued by a New York trust company regulated by the state’s Department of Financial Services. As of now, the stablecoin has surpassed $700 million in supply across both Ethereum and the XRP Ledger. This growth underscores Ripple’s focus on building infrastructure that supports scalable and secure cross-border financial transactions. The stablecoin’s expansion into Africa aligns with broader trends where stablecoins are increasingly used as alternatives to traditional payment systems, particularly in regions with limited banking infrastructure. In markets across the continent, stablecoins like USDT have already gained traction for savings and international transfers, but RLUSD offers a regulated option tailored to institutional use [4].

The new partnerships are expected to facilitate seamless, low-cost transactions for institutions across Africa, leveraging Ripple’s digital asset infrastructure and the existing networks of its local fintech partners. Chipper Cash CEO Ham Serunjogi emphasized that RLUSD is uniquely positioned to drive institutional adoption of blockchain technology in Africa and other global markets. Similarly, VALR CEO Farzam Ehsani highlighted the growing demand for high-quality digital assets in the region, while Yellow Card’s Chris Maurice noted the critical need for reliable stablecoins in cross-border payments and treasury management [4].

Beyond traditional financial services, RLUSD is also being deployed in innovative real-world applications. In Kenya, Mercy Corps Ventures is piloting a climate insurance program that utilizes the stablecoin. In one initiative, RLUSD is held in escrow and released automatically when satellite data detects drought conditions. Another pilot involves rainfall insurance, with funds disbursed in the event of extreme weather. These use cases demonstrate how stablecoins can be integrated into real-world scenarios, improving financial resilience and enabling faster, more transparent transactions [4].

Ripple’s strategic expansion into Africa reflects its broader vision to position RLUSD as a preferred stablecoin for regulated institutions globally. With additional listings on major exchanges like Bitstamp, Kraken, and Gemini, the stablecoin is becoming increasingly accessible for enterprises seeking compliance-grade infrastructure for digital assets. As the demand for blockchain-powered financial solutions continues to rise, Ripple’s collaboration with local fintechs in Africa underscores its commitment to enhancing financial inclusion and supporting the development of digital asset infrastructure in emerging markets [4].

Source:

[1] Thunes and Ripple Expand Global Partnership to Transform Cross-Border Payments (https://www.thunes.com/news/thunes-and-ripple-expand-global-partnership-to-transform-cross-border-payments/)

[2] Ripple, Thunes Join Forces on Cross-Border Push (https://www.pymnts.com/partnerships/2025/thunes-and-ripple-team-to-bolster-cross-border-payments/)

[3] Thunes and Ripple Expand Global Partnership to Transform Cross-Border Payments (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thunes-and-ripple-expand-global-partnership-to-transform-cross-border-payments-302543568.html)

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