Ripple's RLUSD Tackles Climate Risk and Cross-Border Payments in Africa

Ripple, a digital asset infrastructure provider, has expanded the availability of its U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD), to institutional users in Africa through partnerships with fintech platforms Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card. The rollout aims to provide businesses with a stable digital dollar designed for cross-border payments, liquidity, and on-chain settlement, the company announced in a press release. RLUSD is issued by a New York trust company regulated by the state’s Department of Financial Services and has reached a supply exceeding $700 million on Ethereum and the XRP Ledger, according to RWA.xyz data. It is intended for use in treasury operations, remittances, and as collateral for trading tokenized assets like commodities and securities.

This expansion highlights the growing demand for stablecoins in emerging markets, where traditional banking infrastructure is often limited. In parts of Africa, digital dollars such as USDT are already used for savings and international transfers, according to a report by Castle Island and Brevan Howard. RLUSD offers a regulated alternative tailored to institutional users, who often struggle with liquidity in local currencies. The stablecoin’s compliance features are expected to support broader institutional adoption of blockchain technology in the region and beyond.

In addition to financial use cases, RLUSD is being tested in climate risk insurance initiatives in Kenya through Mercy Corps Ventures. In one pilot, funds are released automatically when satellite data detects drought conditions, while another underpins rainfall insurance, with payouts triggered by extreme weather events. These trials demonstrate the potential of stablecoins to address real-world challenges beyond traditional financial transactions.

Industry leaders from Ripple's partner platforms have expressed optimism about RLUSD’s role in the African market. Ham Serunjogi, CEO of Chipper Cash, noted that RLUSD is positioned to drive institutional use of blockchain technology in Africa and global markets, including cross-border payments. Farzam Ehsani, CEO of VALR, emphasized the demand for high-quality digital assets and the importance of compliance in the stablecoin sector. Chris Maurice, CEO of Yellow Card, highlighted the need for reliable stablecoins in cross-border payments and treasury management, reinforcing the value of RLUSD as a trusted, enterprise-grade solution.

The expansion of RLUSD aligns with Ripple’s broader strategy to position its stablecoin as a preferred option for regulated institutions worldwide. In addition to the African partnerships, RLUSD is available on major exchanges such as Bitstamp, Kraken, and Gemini, increasing its accessibility for enterprises seeking compliance-grade infrastructure. Ripple’s recent integration of RLUSD into its Ripple Payments solution further underscores its commitment to enhancing cross-border payment capabilities for its global customer base.

By entering the African market, Ripple is responding to a growing demand for stable, compliant digital assets that support both financial and real-world use cases. The company’s continued collaboration with key fintech and institutional partners reflects its strategic focus on expanding RLUSD’s global reach while maintaining regulatory rigor and operational transparency.

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

[2] Ripple Brings $700M RLUSD Stablecoin to Africa, Trials ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ripple-brings-700m-rlusd-stablecoin-050000239.html)

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

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