Ripple’s U.S. dollar–backed stablecoin, RLUSD, is slated to launch in Japan in early 2026 through a strategic partnership with SBI Holdings and its crypto arm, SBI VC Trade.
According to Ripple, the distribution of RLUSD in Japan will begin in the first quarter of 2026 under a newly signed memorandum of understanding with SBI. The rollout will be managed by SBI VC Trade, the licensed cryptocurrency exchange unit of the Japanese financial conglomerate.
“The introduction of RLUSD will not only broaden stablecoin options in Japan but also enhance their reliability and convenience, marking an important step in the convergence of finance and digital technology,” said Tomohiko Kondo, CEO of SBI VC Trade.
“RLUSD is built to be an industry standard, offering a reliable and efficient bridge between traditional finance and decentralized finance. We believe this partnership will boost stablecoin adoption in Japan while setting a new benchmark for the market,” added Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins.
Ripple’s RLUSD: Strategic Market Positioning and Global Growth
Launched in December last year, Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin is fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term Treasury securities, and other liquid cash equivalents, with independent monthly attestations ensuring transparency. As of August, RLUSD has a market capitalization of $666 million, making it the eighth-largest stablecoin by market value—just behind PayPal USD, according to CoinMarketCap’s stablecoin rankings.
Ripple’s expansion into Japan comes as the country prepares to introduce its first officially sanctioned stablecoin. This move follows Ripple’s approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority in early June, which paved the way for RLUSD’s integration into the region’s payment platforms.
