RLUSD Bridges Traditional Finance and Crypto, Gaining Institutional Momentum

Bybit has listed Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, expanding trading opportunities for users and signaling growing institutional adoption of the dollar-pegged asset. The stablecoin is now available for spot trading against USDT, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Mantle (MNT), with deposits and withdrawals enabled on the Ethereum blockchain and XRP Ledger. Bybit’s integration follows recent partnerships between Ripple and firms like BlackRock and VanEck, which have incorporated RLUSD into tokenized money-market funds, allowing investors to redeem shares for the stablecoin via Securitize’s platform. This development creates a 24/7 off-ramp for tokenized assets, enhancing liquidity for institutional investorstitle1^[1].

RLUSD, launched in late 2024, is fully backed 1:1 by U.S. dollars and short-term Treasuries under a New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) trust charter. It has a current market capitalization of $741 million, ranking it as the 94th largest cryptocurrencytitle2^[2]. The stablecoin’s regulatory compliance and institutional-grade design have driven its adoption in cross-border payments, DeFi pools, and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Ripple’s collaboration with Securitize to enable redemptions for BlackRock’s BUIDL and VanEck’s VBILL funds underscores RLUSD’s role as a settlement layer for tokenized assetstitle9^[3].

The Bybit listing adds RLUSD to a growing list of exchanges, including Bullish, Bitstamp, and Bitso, which have also listed the stablecoin. Bybit’s support for RLUSD on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum networks highlights its dual-chain strategy, positioning the stablecoin as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain ecosystems. Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, Jack McDonald, emphasized that the integration “is a natural next step as we continue to bridge traditional finance and crypto,” noting RLUSD’s utility in providing regulatory clarity and real-time liquiditytitle11^[4].

Institutional adoption of RLUSD has been further bolstered by its integration with Transak, enabling retail users in 64 countries to purchase the stablecoin with fiat currencies. This accessibility, combined with custody services from BNY Mellon, reinforces RLUSD’s appeal to both institutional and retail markets. The stablecoin’s role in tokenized real-estate projects in Dubai and its use in cross-border settlements by Ripple’s payment solutions also highlight its expanding utilitytitle7^[5].

The U.S. Congress’s passage of the GENIUS Act in September 2025 has added regulatory clarity to the stablecoin market, potentially accelerating RLUSD’s adoption. The legislation mandates reserve audits and licensing for stablecoin issuers, aligning with RLUSD’s existing compliance framework. While the act primarily benefits regulated stablecoins like USDC and USDT, it positions RLUSD as a viable alternative for institutional use cases, particularly in cross-border financetitle8^[6].

Analysts suggest that RLUSD’s growth could indirectly benefit XRP, Ripple’s native cryptocurrency. Every RLUSD transaction on the XRP Ledger consumes a small amount of XRP to cover network fees, contributing to its deflationary dynamics. Although XRP’s price remains subject to broader market trends, increased usage of RLUSD could drive demand for XRP, particularly as Ripple expands its RWA and institutional offeringstitle6^[7].

Bybit’s listing of RLUSD reflects the exchange’s strategy to support emerging stablecoins with strong institutional backing. The move aligns with broader trends in tokenized asset adoption, as seen in the success of BlackRock’s BUIDL fund, which surpassed $2 billion in assets under management within a year of its launch. As RLUSD continues to integrate with major financial infrastructure providers, its role in facilitating seamless on-chain settlements and cross-border transactions is expected to growtitle10^[8].