Ripple's Stablecoin Powers Climate Insurance in Africa

Ripple has continued its strategic expansion of its U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin Ripple USD (RLUSD) by announcing new partnerships with fintech platforms Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card to distribute the digital asset to institutional users across Africa. The move, outlined in a company blog post, is part of Ripple's broader effort to enhance cross-border payment infrastructure and provide reliable digital liquidity in markets with limited access to stable financial systems [2].

Launched in late 2024, RLUSD is issued by a New York trust company regulated by the state’s Department of Financial Services and has grown to a supply of over $700 million across the Ethereum and XRP Ledger blockchains. The stablecoin is designed to serve enterprise-grade use cases, including remittances, treasury management, and tokenized asset trading. Ripple emphasized that the expansion into Africa aligns with growing demand for fast, low-cost alternatives to traditional banking systems, particularly in emerging markets [1].

The partnerships with Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card aim to facilitate access to RLUSD for corporate and institutional users across the continent. These platforms will enable businesses to leverage the stablecoin for liquidity, cross-border settlements, and as collateral for trading tokenized assets. Chipper Cash CEO Ham Serunjogi highlighted that RLUSD’s regulatory compliance makes it well-positioned to drive institutional adoption of blockchain technology across Africa and global markets [2].

In parallel, RLUSD is being tested in innovative real-world applications, including climate risk insurance programs in Kenya. Mercy Corps Ventures is using the stablecoin to fund insurance initiatives where payouts are triggered by weather conditions. For example, satellite data monitoring drought levels can automatically release RLUSD funds held in escrow, providing timely relief to affected communities. A separate pilot program is exploring rainfall insurance, with payouts activated in response to extreme weather events [1]. These applications underscore the potential of stablecoins beyond payments and into broader financial services and social infrastructure.

Ripple’s expansion also includes increased listings of RLUSD on major exchanges such as Bitstamp, Kraken, and Gemini, enhancing its accessibility for enterprises seeking compliance-grade infrastructure for digital assets. The company’s push into institutional markets is part of a larger strategy to scale the use of its stablecoin globally, with an emphasis on regulatory alignment and enterprise utility.

The move reflects a broader industry trend, where stablecoins are increasingly being seen as a viable alternative to traditional banking infrastructure, particularly in regions with limited access to reliable financial systems. As Ripple continues to expand RLUSD’s footprint, the company aims to solidify its position as a key player in the regulated institutional digital asset space [2].

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