Mastercard has expanded its digital asset strategy by adding Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin to its global settlement network, marking a significant development for the XRP ecosystem. The move enables around-the-clock settlement capabilities and strengthens the role of regulated stablecoins in mainstream financial infrastructure.
In an announcement released on June 3, Mastercard confirmed that it now supports 24/7 on-chain settlements using several regulated stablecoins, including Ripple’s RLUSD, Circle’s USDC, Paxos-issued PYUSD, USDG, USDP, and SoFiUSD. The initiative is designed to provide greater flexibility for financial institutions and payment providers when settling card transactions at any time, including weekends and public holidays.
The expanded settlement framework operates across multiple blockchain networks, including XRPL, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Arbitrum, Base, Canton, and Tempo. By leveraging blockchain technology, Mastercard aims to improve transaction efficiency while reducing delays associated with traditional banking hours.
According to the company, the new infrastructure will initially be available to select partners such as ARQ, CBW Bank, Cross River, Lead Bank, and Nuvei. The first rollout covers the United States and Latin America, with additional regions expected to gain access later this year.
Raj Dhamodharan, Executive Vice President of Blockchain and Digital Assets at Mastercard, emphasized that the next stage of stablecoin adoption is centered on practical real-world applications. He noted that settlement processes are one of the most important use cases because speed, liquidity, and availability are critical for modern financial systems.
The latest development aligns with Mastercard’s broader strategy to embrace digital assets and real-time payment solutions. The company has gradually expanded its blockchain initiatives through pilot programs and partnerships with major crypto firms.
Ripple has also been actively collaborating with Mastercard through the company’s Crypto Partner Program, which seeks to advance blockchain-based payment solutions. Other participants in the initiative include Binance, Circle, Gemini, PayPal, and Paxos.
Stablecoins are increasingly evolving beyond their traditional role in cryptocurrency trading. Banks, payment processors, and asset managers are now exploring stablecoins as efficient settlement instruments capable of supporting instant cross-border transactions without being restricted by conventional banking schedules.
The announcement follows Mastercard’s recent acquisition of a BitLicense from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), further supporting its long-term vision of integrating digital currencies and tokenized assets into its settlement infrastructure.
In another major development for the XRP Ledger ecosystem, Mastercard, Ripple, JPMorgan, and Ondo Finance recently completed a pilot transaction involving tokenized U.S. Treasuries on XRPL. The transaction demonstrated the ability to settle treasury assets across borders and between banking institutions in real time.
Commenting on the latest integration, Ripple Senior Vice President Jack McDonald stated that RLUSD’s addition to Mastercard’s global settlement network highlights growing demand for trusted and regulated stablecoins designed for real-world financial applications. He added that public blockchain networks such as the XRP Ledger are increasingly becoming important components of modern payment infrastructure.
