XRP News Today: Ripple and SBI Plot Strategic Move to Bring Trust to Japan’s Stablecoin Market

Ripple has entered into a partnership with Japan's SBI Holdings to promote the adoption of Ripple USD (RLUSD) in the Japanese market, marking a significant step in the stablecoin's international expansion. The collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, involves SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings licensed as an Electronic Payment Instruments Exchange Service Provider in Japan. Under the agreement, SBI VC Trade is expected to begin distributing RLUSD in early 2026, aiming to enhance the reliability and convenience of stablecoin services in the country [2].

Ripple USD, a stablecoin fully backed by high-quality reserves such as U.S. dollar deposits, short-term government bonds, and cash equivalents, is designed to meet the rigorous compliance and transparency standards demanded by institutional investors. Monthly third-party attestations further reinforce the trustworthiness of RLUSD, setting it apart from other stablecoins in the market [2]. The stablecoin currently holds a market capitalization of approximately $670 million [1], a figure that, while modest compared to leading stablecoins like USDC, reflects its growing potential in enterprise-grade financial applications.

The partnership with SBI Holdings aligns with Ripple’s broader strategy to position itself as a key player in the global stablecoin landscape. The company recently integrated USDC onto the XRP Ledger, in collaboration with Circle, another major player in the stablecoin space [1]. This move is expected to boost liquidity and attract more developers to the XRP Ledger (XRPL), which is already being used for cross-border payments with low fees and high speed [1]. By expanding its reach through trusted partners such as SBI, Ripple aims to increase the utility of its stablecoin and strengthen its role in the convergence of traditional and decentralized finance.

The announcement of RLUSD's planned launch in Japan was accompanied by statements from both Ripple and SBI executives, emphasizing their shared vision for a secure and transparent financial infrastructure. SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo highlighted the importance of the partnership in expanding stablecoin options in Japan and advancing the integration of digital technology in finance. Ripple’s Jack McDonald added that the agreement is a culmination of efforts to establish a trusted and compliant financial future [2].

With the global stablecoin market valued at nearly $300 billion in 2025 and projected to grow into the trillions in the coming years [2], Ripple’s partnership with SBI Holdings is poised to accelerate the adoption of RLUSD in one of the world’s most technologically advanced economies. As more institutional demand emerges, particularly in Asia, the collaboration may serve as a model for other markets looking to adopt regulated and transparent digital assets [2].

Source:

[1] Ripple (XRP) and Stablecoins: 4 Things Investors Need to Know (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ripple-xrp-stablecoins-4-things-110000919.html)

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

[3] Ripple teams up with TradFi giant SBI to distribute RLUSD ... (https://cryptobriefing.com/rlusd-stablecoin-distribution-japan/)

[4] Why VivoPower Wants Ripple Shares at a Discount to Its XRP ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-vivopower-wants-ripple-shares-204034437.html)