Trident Digital Pursues African Stablecoin Licenses for Ripple USD Expansion

Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ: TDTH), a Singapore-based firm, has announced its intention to seek stablecoin licenses across multiple African jurisdictions. The company plans to issue Ripple USD (RLUSD), a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin built on the XRP Ledger, with the goal of expanding digital dollar liquidity and addressing local currency challenges in the region [1]. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to deepen its integration with the Ripple ecosystem and leverage blockchain for financial inclusion and digital transformation [1].

Central to the plan is a $500 million funding effort to establish one of the world’s largest corporate XRP treasuries, which will back the RLUSD stablecoin. This move supports Trident’s long-term vision of becoming a global leader in Web 3.0 infrastructure, particularly in high-growth markets like Africa [1]. The company has already demonstrated success with earlier blockchain initiatives, such as the DRCPass digital identity system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which integrates e-government access, payments, and identity verification for millions of users [1].

Trident Digital is currently in discussions with regulatory bodies, financial institutions, and local partners across the continent to identify licensing pathways and infrastructure requirements [1]. The company expects to begin phased rollouts in pilot countries by mid-2026, depending on the readiness of legal frameworks and market conditions [1].

According to Brad Burgess, Senior Vice President of ICR LLC and Trident Digital, the initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of RLUSD and expand the Ripple network’s footprint in developing markets [1]. The company’s leadership, including Founder and CEO Soon Huat Lim, has emphasized that blockchain-native assets like RLUSD can reshape financial systems in emerging markets in a secure, inclusive, and practical way [1].

The decision to prioritize RLUSD in Africa aligns with the region’s growing interest in stablecoins, with other major players like Circle and Visa already active in the space. RLUSD has shown rapid adoption, with a circulating supply exceeding $500 million in just a few months [1]. The success of Trident’s stablecoin initiative will depend on the regulatory environment, local adoption rates, and the competitive landscape in the African digital payments sector.

Trident Digital has not disclosed specific metrics or timelines for the implementation of its stablecoin strategy, and the outcomes remain subject to risks such as regulatory changes, market volatility, and geopolitical developments [1]. As it continues to engage with stakeholders and pursue regulatory approvals, the company aims to build on its experience in digital identity and blockchain infrastructure to drive broader economic transformation [1].

[1] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/08/08/3130121/0/en/Trident-Digital-Tech-Holdings-TDTH-Seeks-Stablecoin-Licenses-Across-Multiple-African-Markets-to-Drive-Ripple-USD-RLUSD-Adoption.html

[2] https://mondovisione.com/media-and-resources/news/trident-digital-tech-holdings-tdth-seeks-stablecoin-licenses-across-multiple-a-202588/

[3] https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/trident-digital-tech-plans-stablecoin-approvals-across-africa-93CH-4180511