Bitnomial, Inc., a U.S.-based CFTC-regulated derivatives exchange and clearinghouse, has announced a landmark expansion of its margin collateral program to include Ripple USD (RLUSD) and XRP. This move establishes Bitnomial as the first regulated U.S. derivatives clearing organization (DCO) to accept stablecoins as margin collateral — a pivotal development in the evolution of capital efficiency for digital asset trading.
The integration of RLUSD and XRP into Bitnomial’s clearing infrastructure allows institutional clients to post stablecoins and digital assets directly as margin collateral for trading perpetuals, futures, and options. Retail traders will also gain access to these new collateral options via Botanical, Bitnomial’s retail platform. With the addition of RLUSD — a USD-pegged stablecoin — Bitnomial offers traders a new mechanism to maintain USD-equivalent positions on-chain while accessing a full suite of derivatives products.
“Adding RLUSD and XRP as margin collateral represents a major evolution in how traders can deploy their digital assets,” said Luke Hoersten, CEO of Bitnomial. “RLUSD brings stablecoin efficiency to our margin system, allowing traders to hold USD-equivalent positions on-chain while accessing our full suite of derivatives products. Combined with XRP support, this gives clients unprecedented flexibility in managing capital across their trading strategies.”
Takeaway
Expanding Capital Efficiency Through Digital Asset Integration
The expansion follows Bitnomial’s earlier introduction of crypto margin deposits in September 2025, when it became the first U.S.-regulated exchange and clearinghouse to accept digital assets as native collateral. With the inclusion of RLUSD and XRP, Bitnomial further broadens its digital collateral ecosystem, giving traders the ability to optimize liquidity and reduce operational friction between traditional and blockchain-based assets.
“Stablecoins represent a superior payment mechanism for both retail traders and institutions alike, offering the stability of USD with the speed and efficiency of blockchain settlement,” said Michael Dunn, President of Bitnomial Exchange, LLC. “With our expanded margin collateral options, traders can now leverage their stablecoin holdings and XRP positions to access the full range of CFTC-regulated crypto derivatives.”
The initiative also deepens Bitnomial’s partnership with Ripple, with RLUSD serving as a cornerstone of the firm’s stablecoin strategy. “Stablecoins are moving from primarily speculative use cases to real-world applications,” said Jack McDonald, SVP Stablecoins at Ripple. “With RLUSD, as a trusted tier-1 USD-backed stablecoin, Bitnomial is setting a new standard for regulated derivatives markets.”
Takeaway
Pioneering Regulated Innovation in Crypto Derivatives
Bitnomial’s latest advancement cements its leadership in bringing institutional-grade innovation to the U.S. derivatives landscape. As the first to launch regulated perpetual futures in the country, the exchange continues to pioneer new forms of compliant digital asset infrastructure that blend traditional financial safeguards with blockchain-native settlement mechanisms.
The combination of RLUSD stablecoin collateral, XRP integration, and existing Bitcoin and Ether margin deposits positions Bitnomial as the most comprehensive digital asset margin system available on a regulated exchange. This infrastructure benefits crypto-native funds, institutional traders, and market makers seeking to deploy digital portfolios efficiently without sacrificing compliance or transparency.
“Bitnomial has consistently led innovation in the U.S. crypto derivatives space,” said Hoersten. “By incorporating stablecoin margin and expanding our supported digital assets, we’re delivering on our mission to create the most capital-efficient, blockchain-integrated market infrastructure in the country.”
