Ripple Integrates RLUSD Stablecoin Into Cross-Border Payments Platform

TLDR

• RLUSD has been integrated into Ripple Payments platform for cross-border transactions
• The stablecoin’s market cap reached nearly $300 million, growing over 85% in recent months
• Trading volume surged to $100 million in 24 hours, an 85% increase
• Major exchanges including Kraken, LMAX, Bitstamp, and Bullish now list RLUSD
• Ripple is exploring partnerships with NGOs to use stablecoins for aid distribution

Ripple’s native stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD), has experienced rapid growth following its integration into the company’s enterprise-grade cross-border payments platform, Ripple Payments. The US dollar-pegged token has seen its market capitalization grow to nearly $300 million, with daily trading volumes reaching $100 million.

The stablecoin, which launched in December 2024 after receiving regulatory approval from the New York Department of Financial Services, has been gaining traction in both cryptocurrency and traditional finance markets.

According to the latest data, RLUSD’s market capitalization jumped to approximately $293.6 million, marking an increase of over 20% in recent days. This growth represents an 87% increase over the past month, far exceeding Ripple’s internal projections.

Trading volume has also seen a dramatic rise, with 24-hour volume reaching nearly $100 million – an 85% increase from previous levels. Monthly transfer volume grew from $466 million to over $860 million, showing increased adoption across multiple sectors.

Cross-Border Payment Integration

The integration of RLUSD into Ripple Payments marks a strategic expansion of the token’s utility within Ripple’s global transaction infrastructure. This integration is part of a phased rollout that aims to enhance cross-border treasury operations.

Select customers, including payment providers BKK Forex and iSend, are already utilizing RLUSD for their treasury operations. These early adopters are leveraging the stablecoin to improve efficiency in cross-border transactions.

Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, stated that RLUSD is increasingly being used across both crypto-native and traditional finance markets. One notable use case is as collateral for tokenized real-world assets.

“We’re seeing the market cap continue to grow, outpacing our internal projections,” McDonald said. “In short order, RLUSD is being used for a number of use cases, including use as collateral in both crypto and tradfi trading markets.”

Unlike retail-focused stablecoins, RLUSD is specifically tailored for institutional flows. Ripple plans to expand the token’s role in its payment system to additional enterprise customers over time.

Exchange Listings Expand Access

The recent listing of RLUSD on Kraken marks another milestone for the stablecoin, joining previous listings on LMAX Digital, Bitstamp, Zero Hash, and Bullish exchanges.

Kraken’s addition of RLUSD to its platform broadens the token’s market footprint and enables individual traders to access the asset through a trusted US exchange. This expansion of exchange listings has contributed to the token’s growing liquidity and adoption.

Earlier this year, Ripple partnered with Chainlink to add RLUSD data feeds to the decentralized finance ecosystem. This move was designed to enhance the token’s utility for retail users in the DeFi space.

The Community Sentiment metric for RLUSD has also skyrocketed to 96% on CoinMarketCap, indicating strong positive perception among crypto enthusiasts.

Ripple entered the stablecoin market in a landscape dominated by giants like Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC. Despite this competition, RLUSD has carved out a niche, particularly in the institutional and cross-border payments sector.

Beyond traditional finance applications, Ripple is actively exploring new frontiers for RLUSD. The company is working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to explore using stablecoins for more efficient aid distribution.

These initiatives could open up new use cases for stablecoins in humanitarian contexts, potentially streamlining the delivery of financial assistance to those in need.

The integration of RLUSD into Ripple Payments and its listing on major exchanges reflect Ripple’s broader strategy to bridge cryptocurrency infrastructure with regulated financial markets.

As the stablecoin continues to grow and find new applications, it represents an important component of Ripple’s expanding ecosystem of financial services and products.