XRP News Today: Ripple's RLUSD: Bridging Traditional and Digital Finance

Ripple's USD-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD, has surged past $1 billion in market capitalization, marking a significant milestone less than a year after its December 2024 launch. The stablecoin now ranks as the 10th largest USD-pegged stablecoin, trailing major players like Tether's USDT ($183 billion) and Circle's USDC ($75 billion) but outpacing PayPal's PYUSD and Dai in daily trading volumes. RLUSD's rapid ascent-1,278% year-to-date growth-reflects growing institutional adoption and strategic partnerships, including humanitarian aid initiatives with organizations like World Central Kitchen.

The stablecoin's success is underpinned by its dual issuance on Ethereum and the XRP Ledger, with Ethereum-based RLUSD dominating at 80% of the total supply. Backed by a 103% reserve buffer of U.S. Treasury bills, government money market funds, and FDIC-insured bank deposits, RLUSD operates under New York Department of Financial Services supervision. Daily trading volumes hit $174 million, comparable to established stablecoins like PayPal USD and Dai.

Ripple's aggressive expansion strategy has fueled RLUSD's growth. The company acquired prime broker Hidden Road (now Ripple Prime) for $1.25 billion and stablecoin payments firm Rail for $200 million, with recent targets including treasury technology provider GTreasury and wallet infrastructure startup Palisade. These moves aim to integrate RLUSD into broader financial infrastructure, including cross-border settlements and institutional custody solutions.

Institutional adoption has been pivotal. Ripple Prime, launched in November 2025, allows institutions to execute over-the-counter spot trades in XRP and RLUSD. Meanwhile, non-profits are leveraging RLUSD for humanitarian aid payments, highlighting its utility beyond speculative trading. The stablecoin's enterprise focus has also attracted fintechs and banks for instant cross-border transactions.

Ripple President Monica Long emphasized the company's dual focus on organic and inorganic growth, stating, "We're taking that all in [to] bring all the pieces together". The firm's $1 billion XRP buyback plan, announced in October 2025, further signals confidence in its ecosystem.

Looking ahead, Ripple's Swell 2025 conference in New York highlighted potential IPO activity, with Nasdaq CEO noting 17 crypto firms await regulatory clearance post-government shutdown. BlackRock's growing interest in blockchain and stablecoin-backed investments also underscores expanding institutional demand.

With RLUSD's milestone, Ripple positions itself as a bridge between traditional finance and digital assets. As the stablecoin market eyes a potential $2 trillion valuation by 2028, RLUSD's regulated framework and strategic integrations may solidify its role in the next era of global payments.