Key Points
- RLUSD Launch: Ripple launches RLUSD stablecoin, backed by US assets
- Regulatory Compliance: RLUSD is launched under the NYDFS limited purpose trust company charter, the gold standard for stablecoin regulation.
- Supported Exchanges At Launch: Initial availability on platforms like Uphold, MoonPay, and Bitso, with plans to expand rapidly.
Ripple has officially launched its U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, available globally starting December 17, 2024.
Positioned to transform digital payments and decentralized finance (DeFi), RLUSD combines regulatory rigor, financial transparency, and practical utility.
RLUSD stands out by having been launched under the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) limited purpose trust company charter.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse emphasized the significance of this approval, stating, “We’re committed to ensuring trust, compliance, and reliability with RLUSD. This stablecoin represents the next step in bridging digital assets and traditional finance.”
Fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, government bonds, and cash equivalents, RLUSD promises stability and liquidity. To further bolster trust, Ripple will publish monthly third-party attestations of the stablecoin’s reserve assets, conducted by an independent auditing firm
Expanded Use Cases
Ripple plans to integrate RLUSD into its Ripple Payments system, which has already processed over $70 billion in transactions across 90+ payout markets. By early 2025, RLUSD will facilitate global payments for Ripple’s enterprise clients, enhancing speed and reducing costs for cross-border transactions.
Additionally, RLUSD can be used as collateral for trading tokenized real-world assets, such as commodities, securities, and treasuries, on blockchain networks.
Available on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum, RLUSD offers flexibility and scalability for a broad range of financial applications.
Where To Invest?
Initially available on platforms such as Uphold, MoonPay, Bitso, Archax, and CoinMENA, RLUSD’s accessibility will soon extend to major exchanges including Bitstamp, Bullish, Mercado Bitcoin, and others.
This robust network of partners ensures widespread adoption across regions, from the Americas to Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
Furthermore, in anticipation of this launch, XRP has become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.
Final Thoughts
Ripple’s RLUSD enters a competitive stablecoin landscape dominated by Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC. By emphasizing transparency, regulatory compliance, and utility in payments, Ripple aims to distinguish RLUSD as the preferred choice for businesses and institutions.
As Ripple continues to expand its offerings beyond XRP, RLUSD’s launch signals a bold step forward in the evolution of financial systems.
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