Ripple has officially launched its Ripple USD stablecoin, known as RLUSD, in Japan through a partnership with SBI Group.
The regulated US dollar-backed stablecoin is now available through SBI VC Trade for institutional and retail investors. Ripple expects RLUSD to support payments, asset tokenization and collateral management across Japan’s growing digital asset market.
Ripple and SBI Bring RLUSD to Japan
Ripple announced on June 25 that RLUSD had officially become available in Japan through SBI Holdings and its cryptocurrency division, SBI VC Trade.
The launch strengthens Ripple’s long-standing relationship with the Japanese financial group. It also provides businesses, financial institutions and individual investors with access to a regulated dollar-backed stablecoin.
Ripple intends RLUSD to operate as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain-based markets. The stablecoin could be used for international payments, tokenized assets, liquidity management and collateral services.
Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, described the launch as an important step toward expanding access to transparent and regulated dollar-backed stablecoins in Japan.
RLUSD Receives Regulatory Approval in Japan
The Japanese launch followed regulatory approval from the country’s Financial Services Agency.
Under Japan’s Payment Services Act, RLUSD has reportedly been classified as a new type of electronic payment instrument. This regulatory status allows SBI VC Trade to distribute the stablecoin to eligible institutional and retail customers.
Japan has developed one of the world’s most closely regulated cryptocurrency markets. Therefore, the approval represents an important milestone in Ripple’s effort to expand RLUSD internationally.
RLUSD Targets Payments and Tokenized Finance
Ripple designed RLUSD to support faster settlements, improved transparency and more efficient access to international liquidity.
The stablecoin may also play a growing role in tokenization, where traditional assets are represented and transferred on blockchain networks.
For financial institutions, RLUSD could provide a regulated digital dollar for managing collateral and completing cross-border transactions. Retail investors may also use the stablecoin to access dollar-based digital assets through SBI VC Trade.
RLUSD has reportedly reached a market capitalization of approximately $1.6 billion as Ripple continues to expand its availability across international markets.
The stablecoin was also recently introduced to South Korea’s cryptocurrency market through a listing on Coinone.
Ripple and SBI Continue Expanding XRP Adoption
Ripple and SBI Group have worked together for approximately a decade. Their partnership has focused heavily on XRP, cross-border payment systems and development within the XRP Ledger ecosystem.
Japan remains one of the most important markets for Ripple and XRP adoption. SBI has consistently supported blockchain-based financial services and promoted the use of XRP within its wider digital asset strategy.
The introduction of RLUSD gives the partnership another tool for connecting traditional financial services with blockchain infrastructure.
While RLUSD is separate from XRP, its expansion could increase activity across Ripple’s broader payment and digital asset network.
SBI Expands Its Stablecoin Strategy
SBI Group has also been developing other stablecoin projects in Japan.
The company recently launched JPYSC, a Japanese yen-pegged stablecoin developed with blockchain infrastructure provider Startale Group. JPYSC operates on Ethereum and is distributed by SBI Shinsei Trust Bank with support from SBI VC Trade.
SBI Holdings is also reportedly preparing a cryptocurrency rewards programme through SBI Shinsei Bank. The initiative would allow eligible customers to receive rewards in Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP.
These projects demonstrate SBI’s ambition to establish a major role in Japan’s regulated cryptocurrency and stablecoin markets.
XRP Price Rebounds Following Market Sell-Off
XRP recovered by more than 3% following a wider decline across global markets, trading near $1.08 at the time of reporting.
The cryptocurrency had previously fallen to approximately $1.05 amid weakness in technology stocks and renewed concerns about potential interest rate increases by the US Federal Reserve.
The launch of RLUSD in Japan may strengthen sentiment around Ripple’s international expansion. However, XRP’s short-term performance is likely to remain influenced by overall cryptocurrency market conditions, monetary policy expectations and investor demand.
