XRP News Today: Regulated Blockchain Breakthrough: Credit Card Settlements Go Digital with Ripple's RLUSD

Ripple, Mastercard, and Gemini have launched a pilot project to settle traditional credit card transactions using Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), marking one of the first instances of a regulated U.S. bank leveraging a public blockchain for fiat card settlements. The initiative, involving WebBank-the issuer of the Gemini Credit Card-aims to streamline back-end financial processes by replacing legacy systems with blockchain-based settlements, enabling faster, more efficient transactions while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Ripple's RLUSD, a dollar-pegged stablecoin launched in December 2024, has already grown to over $1 billion in circulation, backed 1:1 by cash and cash equivalents. The stablecoin will facilitate settlements between Mastercard and WebBank, with the XRP Ledger's high-speed processing-capable of handling 1,500 transactions per second-reducing settlement times to seconds and costs to as low as one cent per transaction. Mastercard's Global Head of Commercial Product, Sherri Haymond, emphasized the move's focus on "bringing regulated open-loop stablecoin payments to the financial mainstream" while upholding consumer choice and regulatory principles.

The collaboration builds on prior successes, including the 2025 launch of an XRP-backed Gemini Credit Card. This new trial expands the use case for digital assets in traditional finance, with Ripple President Monica Long noting that financial institutions are increasingly recognizing blockchain's potential to modernize money movement. "This partnership demonstrates RLUSD's distinctiveness in improving settlement," she said, highlighting its role in paving the way for compliant stablecoins in card programs.

Ripple's recent expansion into institutional finance further underscores its strategic positioning. In November 2025, the company activated a U.S. spot prime brokerage following its $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road, rebranded as Ripple Prime. The platform supports XRP and RLUSD trading, cross-margining for institutional clients, and derivatives like OTC swaps and CME futures. Ripple has also pursued a $1 billion XRP buyback and acquired treasury management firm GTreasury, signaling its commitment to strengthening its institutional infrastructure.

The pilot aligns with broader industry trends. Mastercard has been expanding its digital asset footprint, including a June 2025 partnership with Chainlink for on-chain fiat-to-crypto conversions and a separate collaboration with Humanity Protocol to explore blockchain-based identity systems for credit access. Meanwhile, RLUSD's adoption by humanitarian organizations like World Central Kitchen for cross-border aid payments highlights its growing utility beyond finance.

Regulatory compliance remains a central focus. RLUSD is issued by Standard Custody & Trust Company, an NYDFS-certified subsidiary of Ripple, ensuring adherence to U.S. financial regulations. The project awaits final regulatory approvals but reflects the growing institutional trust in digital assets, with Ripple's XRP Ledger already processing over $70 billion annually through its On-Demand Liquidity solutions.

The XRP community has reacted positively, with over 50% of surveyed holders expressing optimism about increased adoption and potential price rebounds. Analysts at Deloitte and Chainalysis have previously highlighted stablecoin-driven tokenization as a key driver for a $10 trillion real-world asset market by 2030.