Ripple is a leader in the enterprise blockchain space and has partnered with SBI Holdings and its subsidiary SBI VC Trade Co., Ltd. to distribute Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan.
In a press release shared with CryptoNews, the company stated that the agreement formalized through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) demonstrates the long-term collaboration between the two companies in bringing digital assets into a regulated financial ecosystem.
SBI VC Trade is a licensed electronic payment tool exchange service provider that will lead the launch of RLUSD in the Japanese market, further strengthening the country's role as a center for blockchain adoption.
The stablecoin market is poised for takeoff
The stablecoin industry, currently valued at nearly $300 billion, is expected to grow to trillions of dollars in the coming years. As stablecoins evolve from niche tools to mainstream financial instruments, the focus is shifting from speculative uses to real-world utility and institutional adoption.
Through this initiative, Ripple and SBI position RLUSD as a cornerstone of secure, transparent, and efficient digital payments.
This move reflects a broader trend of global financial institutions increasingly adopting blockchain-driven solutions to enhance liquidity, speed, and cross-border accessibility.
RLUSD: Built for compliance and transparency
RLUSD is designed as an enterprise-grade stablecoin, fully backed by high-quality reserves such as USD deposits, short-term U.S. Treasury securities, and cash equivalents.
Ripple has also committed to monthly audits by independent accounting firms to ensure transparency and trust for institutional and retail users.
This emphasis on compliance sets RLUSD apart from other stablecoins in the market, providing the security and regulatory clarity that financial institutions require.
SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo stated, "The launch of RLUSD will not only expand the range of stablecoin options in the Japanese market but also represents an important step forward in the reliability and convenience of stablecoins.
Milestone of Ripple and SBI collaboration
For Ripple and SBI, the issuance of RLUSD in Japan represents the continuation of a partnership rooted in trust and innovation.
Ripple's stablecoin senior vice president Jack McDonald explained that this launch is not just about technology, but about "building a trusted and compliant financial future."
This collaboration aims to establish RLUSD as the standard connecting traditional finance and decentralized finance while setting a new benchmark for the global utility of stablecoins.
According to the two companies, RLUSD will be available to Japanese users in the first quarter of 2026, marking an important step in the development of digital finance in the Asia-Pacific region.
Ripple supports Gemini's IPO application, including the RLUSD option
Ripple has also become a major backer of Gemini's upcoming IPO, providing the exchange with a $75 million credit line that may expand to $150 million.
According to documents submitted by the exchange to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the transaction also introduced Ripple's new stablecoin RLUSD as a lending option following initial facility utilization.
The stock code for Gemini, which plans to list on Nasdaq, is "GEMI," and the company disclosed the agreement in its long-awaited IPO application.
