XRP News Today: Japan's Financial Future Shaped by Ripple's Regulated Stablecoin Push

Ripple, a leader in blockchain and digital asset infrastructure, and SBI Group, a Japanese financial services conglomerate, have announced plans to distribute Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan. The stablecoin, fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits and cash equivalents with monthly third-party attestations, aims to expand into Japan’s growing stablecoin market by the first quarter of 2026. SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings and a licensed Electronic Payment Instruments Exchange Service Provider, will serve as the distributor, leveraging its regulatory compliance framework to introduce RLUSD to Japanese users [2].

RLUSD was launched in December 2024 and is designed to meet institutional demand with a focus on regulatory clarity and transparency. The stablecoin is backed 1:1 by U.S. dollar deposits and short-term Treasuries, with independent verification of its reserves provided monthly. Ripple emphasizes that this structure differentiates RLUSD from other stablecoins by ensuring continuous compliance and institutional-grade reliability. SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo stated that the introduction of RLUSD will not only expand stablecoin options for Japanese users but also enhance the reliability and convenience of digital finance in the region [3].

The partnership between Ripple and SBI Group is a continuation of their long-standing collaboration in Asia’s blockchain ecosystem. SBI has been a key player in Japan’s digital asset landscape, having previously launched initiatives such as the distribution of USDC and investing in Circle’s IPO. The introduction of RLUSD is part of SBI’s broader strategy to integrate stablecoins into practical financial applications. For example, SBI is also exploring the use of stablecoins with SMBC, Japan’s second-largest bank, for commercialization and settlement purposes. Additionally, it is involved in Project Trinity, an initiative to investigate the use of stablecoins for security token settlements [4].

Ripple’s senior vice president of stablecoins, Jack McDonald, highlighted that RLUSD is intended to set a new benchmark for the industry by bridging traditional and decentralized finance. The company views the expansion into Japan as an opportunity to support the country’s evolving digital infrastructure and meet the increasing demand for stable, institutional-grade stablecoins. The move aligns with Japan’s recent regulatory developments, including the approval of the country’s first yen-denominated stablecoin, signaling a growing acceptance of regulated digital assets in the region [6].

As of August 2025, RLUSD had a circulating supply of 666.7 million tokens and a market capitalization of approximately $666.5 million, positioning it as one of the largest U.S.-regulated stablecoins. The token’s growth is supported by increasing transaction volumes and adoption in high-profile events such as the Bullish IPO, where RLUSD was used as part of the funding mechanism. Ripple expects the expansion into Japan to further drive demand for the stablecoin and increase activity on the XRP Ledger, potentially benefiting the price of XRP through increased network fees and usage [5].

The collaboration between Ripple and SBI Group is expected to strengthen Japan’s financial infrastructure and contribute to the global adoption of stablecoins. With a focus on regulatory compliance and institutional-grade transparency, RLUSD is poised to play a pivotal role in the next phase of digital finance development in the region. The launch, scheduled for early 2026, reflects the companies’ commitment to building a trusted and efficient financial system that supports both traditional and decentralized ecosystems [3].

Source:

[1] Ripple USD, Chart, & Supply Details - RLUSD Price (https://www.gemini.com/prices/ripple-usd)

[2] Ripple News: RLUSD Stablecoin to be Distributed in Japan (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/22/ripple-sbi-plan-rlusd-stablecoin-distribution-in-japan-by-2026)

[3] Ripple and SBI plan to distribute RLUSD in Japan (https://ripple.com/ripple-press/ripple-and-sbi-plan-to-distribute-rlusd-in-japan/)

[4] SBI to distribute Ripple's RLUSD in Japan as part of (https://www.ledgerinsights.com/sbi-to-distribute-ripples-rlusd-in-japan-as-part-of-broader-stablecoin-push/)

[5] XRP price alert: rally to $5 likely as RLUSD nears $700m (https://crypto.news/xrp-price-alert-rally-to-5-likely-as-rlusd-nears-700m-milestone/)

[6] Ripple and SBI Confirm Launch of RLUSD in Japan (https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/08/22/ripple-and-sbi-confirm-launch-of-rlusd-in-japan/)