Ripple & SBI to Launch RLUSD in Japan, Boost XRP Liquidity
Ripple and SBI have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the RLUSD stablecoin in Japan via SBI VC Trade, the country’s first licensed Electronic Payment Instruments Exchange Service Provider. Scheduled for early 2026, RLUSD will be fully backed by US dollar deposits, short-term US government bonds and cash equivalents, with monthly attestations. The move taps into the global stablecoin market, projected to grow from $300 billion to $1 trillion, and builds on Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service, which uses XRP to cut cross-border payment fees in remittances like the $1.8 billion sent from Japan to the Philippines in 2020. Integrating RLUSD with XRP liquidity aims to streamline institutional and remittance transactions, lowering costs and eliminating pre-funding hurdles. Traders should watch for rising XRP demand and broader RLUSD adoption, which could boost market activity and liquidity.
Bullish
The partnership to launch RLUSD stablecoin under Japan’s regulatory framework and its integration with Ripple’s existing ODL service is likely to increase on-chain activity and demand for XRP. In the short term, anticipation of new liquidity tools and reduced transaction costs can drive speculative buying of XRP. Over the long term, broader institutional adoption of RLUSD and seamless liquidity provided by XRP could enhance XRP’s utility and market depth, supporting price appreciation.