RLUSD Is Here: Ripple’s Operationally Ready Stablecoin Unveiled

Ripple has just reached an important milestone, with its President Monica Long confirming that the company’s new stablecoin, RLUSD, is ready for use. This stablecoin is designed to complement Ripple’s main token, XRP, by offering a steadier and more reliable option for people in the crypto world.

Long shared this news during her appearance on The Scoop, where she explained how RLUSD could improve Ripple’s payment solutions. The idea behind RLUSD is simple: it gives users a way to trade tokenized U.S. dollars on the blockchain, helping them avoid the unpredictable volatility that is common in the crypto market.

Ripple Taps Growing Stablecoin Demand Globally

Ripple’s focus on stablecoins fits into a larger shift in the crypto market. Long mentioned that countries in Latin America have shown a growing interest in stablecoins tied to the dollar. Europe and Asia are also seen as areas for growth. Ripple plans to offer stablecoins not just in U.S. dollars but also in other currencies like the euro and Singapore dollar.

“Back from a fantastic week at Singapore FinTech Festival, on and off stage, everyone was talking about stablecoins,” Long shared on Twitter. She also pointed out that the increasing demand for reliable, USD-based stablecoins is what’s driving Ripple’s entry into this market.

Besides meeting market demand, Ripple also hopes to attract developers who can create decentralized apps on the XRP Ledger. By offering RLUSD on the XRP Ledger, Ripple is opening up new possibilities for the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, offering a strong foundation for developers to innovate and grow.

Ripple has already processed over $70 billion in transactions using blockchain technology, showing the rising demand for its services. While XRP is designed for fast, high-volume transactions, RLUSD will serve users who need stability, especially in markets that value clear regulations and financial security.

Ripple’s RLUSD Regulatory Journey

Launching a stablecoin comes with a big challenge: following the rules set by regulators. Ripple is being careful with RLUSD, making sure it checks all the right boxes before it goes live. The company has already started addressing concerns, like getting a license from New York’s Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) through its purchase of Standard Custody.

RLUSD will be fully backed by reserves, including short-term U.S. Treasury bonds, dollar deposits, and cash equivalents. Ripple has committed to monthly attestations of its reserves, which will be verified by the San Francisco-based accounting firm BPM. This transparency is crucial for gaining the trust of both regulators and users.

Ripple’s RLUSD will be fully supported by reserves, such as short-term U.S. Treasury bonds, dollar deposits, and cash-like assets. Ripple has promised to confirm the status of its reserves each month. An accounting firm from San Francisco, BPM, will verify these reports. 

In a recent interview on CNBC’s Street Signs Asia, Long expressed confidence about the future of stablecoins. She highlighted their potential, especially for payments and cross-border transfers. Long believes the stablecoin market will continue to grow, with more coins tied to different fiat currencies.