XRP News Today: Japan Gets a Regulated Stablecoin Play as Ripple and SBI Align with 2026 Launch

Ripple has announced a partnership with Japan’s SBI Holdings to distribute its stablecoin, RLUSD, in the Japanese market through SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of SBI that holds the first Electronic Payment Instruments Exchange Service Provider license in Japan. The collaboration, formalized under a memorandum of understanding, is set to launch in early 2026, aligning with Japan’s evolving regulatory framework for stablecoins. The Payment Services Act, which was amended to include a licensing regime for electronic payment instruments in June 2023, has created a structured environment for stablecoin issuance and distribution, particularly for foreign-backed products like RLUSD.

RLUSD is a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, fully backed by cash, short-term U.S. Treasuries, and cash equivalents, with monthly third-party reserve attestations. Ripple’s stablecoin currently has a market circulation of approximately $667 million, with an average daily trading volume of about $71 million, according to CoinGecko data. This structure is expected to appeal to institutional participants in Japan, where compliance and transparency are prioritized by regulators and financial institutions. SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo stated that RLUSD’s entry would enhance the reliability and convenience of stablecoins for the Japanese market.

Japan’s regulatory environment for stablecoins has been under continuous development since 2022, with amendments to the Payment Services Act planned through 2026. These changes include adjustments to reserve requirements and licensing tiers, making it easier for entities like SBI VC Trade to operate. The country’s approach is seen as more bank-friendly and structured compared to other markets, according to Rick Maeda, a Tokyo-based analyst at Presto Research. This regulatory clarity is a key factor in Ripple’s strategic decision to enter the Japanese market through a trusted local partner like SBI.

The RLUSD rollout is part of Ripple’s broader strategy to expand its presence in the stablecoin sector, having previously partnered with Circle in June 2025 to bring USDC to the XRP Ledger. Ripple also acquired Rail, a stablecoin payments platform, to bolster its infrastructure and client offerings. However, RLUSD’s market share remains relatively small compared to industry leaders like Tether and Circle, accounting for just 0.24% of the $280 billion stablecoin market.

SBI’s involvement in the stablecoin space is not limited to Ripple. The company has also invested in Circle’s IPO and is exploring the use of stablecoins in partnership with SMBC, Japan’s second-largest bank, for applications such as real estate tokenization. These initiatives underscore SBI’s strategic focus on digital finance innovation and its ambition to lead in the Japanese blockchain sector.

The partnership between Ripple and SBI is expected to deepen their long-standing collaboration, which began in 2016 through SBI Ripple Asia. SBI currently holds a 60% stake in the joint venture, which has been instrumental in expanding Ripple’s services across Asian markets. The RLUSD launch is seen as a significant step in strengthening Japan’s digital finance infrastructure, offering a regulated and fully-backed stablecoin option that aligns with the country’s emphasis on institutional-grade compliance.

Source: [1] Ripple and SBI to Launch RLUSD Stablecoin in Japan by ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ripple-sbi-launch-rlusd-stablecoin-055619508.html) [2] Ripple Taps SBI to Distribute RLUSD Stablecoin in Japan, ... (https://cryptopotato.com/ripple-taps-sbi-to-distribute-rlusd-stablecoin-in-japan-but-xrp-falls/) [3] 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) [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] Ripple (XRP) and Stablecoins: 4 Things Investors Need to Know (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ripple-xrp-stablecoins-4-things-110000919.html)