XRP News: Ripple Sets RLUSD Stablecoin Launch Date, Making Token Accessible on XRP Ledger and Ethereum

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Ripple is set to launch its U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD, on December 17, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion into the rapidly evolving digital asset infrastructure space. The stablecoin will be accessible to users across two major blockchain networks — the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and Ethereum — following regulatory approval from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). This move positions Ripple as a serious contender in the competitive $180 billion+ stablecoin market, currently led by Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC.

A Regulated Entry into the Stablecoin Arena

Ripple’s strategic decision to launch RLUSD under a NYDFS limited purpose trust charter underscores its commitment to compliance and regulatory clarity. This licensing framework is widely recognized as one of the most rigorous and reputable in the global fintech industry, lending credibility to Ripple’s stablecoin offering.

👉 Discover how regulated stablecoins are shaping the future of global payments.

Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, emphasized the importance of regulatory adherence:

“Early on, Ripple made a deliberate choice to launch our stablecoin under the NYDFS limited purpose trust company charter, widely regarded as the premier regulatory standard worldwide. As the U.S. moves toward clearer regulations, we expect to see greater adoption of stablecoins like RLUSD, which offer real utility and are backed by years of trust and expertise in the industry.”

RLUSD is fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, U.S. Treasury bonds, and cash equivalents, ensuring a 1:1 peg to the U.S. dollar. The goal is price stability, transparency, and broad usability across decentralized finance (DeFi), cross-border payments, and tokenized asset ecosystems.

Initial Availability and Exchange Listings

Starting December 17, RLUSD will be available for trading and use on multiple global platforms, including:

Additional listings are expected in the coming weeks on major exchanges such as Bitso, Bullish, Bitstamp, Mercado Bitcoin, Independent Reserve, and settlement network Zero Hash. These partnerships expand Ripple’s reach across North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the UK, and the Middle East.

Jack McDonald, Senior Vice President of Stablecoins at Ripple and former CEO of Standard Custody & Trust (acquired by Ripple earlier in 2025), confirmed that initial distribution will focus on regions where Ripple holds the necessary licenses. However, access will not include the European Union at launch due to pending compliance with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). McDonald noted that Ripple is “actively exploring” pathways to enter the EU market in the near future.

Strengthening Governance with Industry Veterans

To reinforce its regulatory credibility and governance framework, Ripple has expanded its Stablecoin Advisory Board with two high-profile appointments:

They join existing board members including Sheila Bair, former FDIC Chair, and Chris Larsen, Ripple co-founder and Executive Chairman. This blend of central banking experience and blockchain innovation signals Ripple’s dual focus: building a financially sound digital asset while maintaining institutional-grade oversight.

RLUSD’s Role in the Broader Crypto Ecosystem

Stablecoins have become foundational infrastructure in both traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). They serve as:

With RLUSD now live on both XRP Ledger — known for its speed and low transaction costs — and Ethereum — home to most DeFi applications — Ripple enables interoperability across ecosystems. Developers can integrate RLUSD into payment gateways, lending protocols, and remittance platforms with confidence in its stability and regulatory backing.

Financial institutions like PayPal, Visa, and Societe Generale have already launched or piloted their own stablecoin initiatives as global regulators establish clearer frameworks. The trend points toward mainstream adoption — and RLUSD aims to be at the forefront.

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Managing Early Market Volatility

Despite being designed for price stability, RLUSD may experience short-term volatility during its early days due to high demand and limited initial supply.

David Schwartz, Chief Technology Officer at Ripple, issued a public warning via social media:

“There may be supply shortages in the very early days before the market stabilizes. Some traders are willing to pay as much as $1,200 for a fraction of an RLUSD token. Please don't FOMO into a stablecoin. This is not an opportunity to get rich.”

This caution highlights a common phenomenon during new token launches — speculative trading can temporarily distort prices even for assets designed to maintain a fixed value. Users are encouraged to treat RLUSD as a utility asset rather than a speculative investment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is RLUSD?
A: RLUSD is Ripple’s U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, fully backed by cash, U.S. Treasury securities, and cash equivalents. It maintains a 1:1 value with the U.S. dollar.

Q: On which blockchains is RLUSD available?
A: RLUSD is available on both the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and Ethereum networks, enabling fast transactions and broad DeFi integration.

Q: Is RLUSD available in the European Union?
A: Not at launch. Ripple does not yet hold a license under MiCAR regulations but is actively pursuing EU market entry.

Q: Who backs RLUSD?
A: The stablecoin is backed by U.S. dollar deposits and short-term U.S. government securities, held under regulatory oversight via Ripple’s NYDFS trust charter.

Q: Why did Ripple add former central bankers to its advisory board?
A: To strengthen governance, ensure regulatory alignment, and build trust with institutional partners by incorporating deep financial policy expertise.

Q: Can I profit from buying RLUSD?
A: No. RLUSD is designed for stability, not appreciation. Attempting to speculate on its price carries risk and contradicts its intended use as a digital dollar equivalent.

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The Road Ahead for Ripple and Digital Finance

The launch of RLUSD reflects a broader shift toward regulated, transparent, and interoperable financial infrastructure. As governments and central banks explore central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and private institutions tokenize assets at scale, stablecoins like RLUSD will play a critical role in bridging legacy systems with next-generation blockchain networks.

For Ripple, this launch strengthens its ecosystem beyond XRP, positioning the company as a full-stack financial technology provider — from cross-border payments to compliant digital asset issuance.

With strong regulatory foundations, experienced leadership, and multi-chain accessibility, RLUSD is poised to become a trusted vehicle for global value transfer in 2025 and beyond.

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