Ripple's stablecoin enters Japan! Ripple partners with SBI to launch $RLUSD in Q1 next year: Targeting trillion-dollar market growth dividends

Ripple has partnered with Japan's SBI, planning to launch Ripple's stablecoin Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan in the first quarter of 2026. (Background: Ripple has applied for a 'U.S. banking license'; CEO: Once approved, $RLUSD will become the new standard for stablecoins) (Additional context: Ripple applies for a U.S. banking license! Stablecoin RLUSD follows an all-compliant route with 'reserves in the Federal Reserve account') Today (the 22nd), the established public chain Ripple announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan's financial giant SBI Group (SBI Holdings), officially starting their collaboration. Both parties plan to launch Ripple's stablecoin Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan in the first quarter of 2026. SBI Group's subsidiary SBI VC Trade, as a licensed electronic payment service provider in Japan, will be responsible for the issuance and distribution of RLUSD in Japan. Specific implementation plan: phased promotion of RLUSD According to the cooperation agreement, SBI VC Trade will promote RLUSD in phases in the Japanese market. The first phase will prioritize qualified financial institutions, providing stablecoin-related services; the second phase will expand to corporate clients, supporting their applications in payment settlement and fund management; and the third phase will gradually open to retail users, depending on the approval of Japanese regulatory authorities. Ultimately, RLUSD will be integrated into SBI Group's extensive financial services ecosystem, providing users with more convenient digital asset solutions. It is worth mentioning that SBI VC Trade has accepted USDC issued by Circle this year, becoming Japan's first licensed electronic payment service provider. This cooperation with Ripple is expected to further strengthen its position in Japan's digital asset market and lay the foundation for the compliant application of RLUSD. Strategic significance of the Japanese market Japan, known for its strictest digital asset regulations globally, has established a clear regulatory framework for stablecoins under its (Payment Services Act), requiring issuers to obtain relevant licenses and ensure full asset reserves. Ripple noted that SBI VC Trade, leveraging its licensing advantage and mature financial service network, provides an ideal environment for the implementation of RLUSD in Japan. Additionally, the successful experience in the Japanese market is expected to offer insights for RLUSD's promotion in other strictly regulated markets. SBI VC Trade's CEO Tomohiko Kondo emphasized: 'Introducing RLUSD will not only expand the choices for stablecoin users in Japan but also takes an important step in reliability and convenience, helping to drive the deep integration of finance and digital technology.' Characteristics and market prospects of RLUSD RLUSD is a corporate-grade stablecoin launched by Ripple in December 2024, pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar and fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S. Treasury bonds, and other cash equivalents. This stablecoin aims to provide efficient and reliable solutions for cross-border payments, institutional settlements, and corporate fund management, serving as a bridge between traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi). According to market data, the global stablecoin market is currently valued at approximately $300 billion, and it is expected to grow to several trillion dollars in the coming years. Ripple noted that RLUSD is projected to have a market value of about $666 million at its launch in December 2024, and amid the expanding scale of global stablecoins, this move is seen as a key step for Ripple to secure the next wave of growth dividends. Related reports Understand the global value circulation network of XRP, RippleNet, and RLUSD in one article The countdown to the launch of Ripple's stablecoin RLUSD: Will Ripple spend heavily on subsidies to start a customer acquisition war? Opinion) Ripple's lawsuit concludes, and XRP must face the harsh truth 'Ripple's stablecoin enters Japan! Ripple partners with SBI to launch $RLUSD in Q1 next year: Targeting trillion-dollar market growth dividends' This article was first published in BlockTempo (the most influential blockchain news media).