
Ripple's USD-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, has officially surpassed a market capitalization of $1 billion, marking a significant milestone in its rapid growth since its launch in December 2024. The achievement was highlighted by Token Terminal, a prominent on-chain data platform, which announced the development on social media. "RLUSD surpasses $1B market cap," stated Token Terminal, known for providing data-driven insights into the crypto market.
RLUSD, or Ripple USD, is designed as an enterprise-grade stablecoin, pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar and backed by highly liquid reserves including U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S. government treasuries, and other cash equivalents. Issued under a New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) trust charter, the stablecoin is available on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum blockchains, aiming to bridge traditional finance with decentralized applications. Its swift ascent to a billion-dollar valuation underscores growing institutional demand for regulated digital assets.
The stablecoin market has seen substantial expansion in 2025, with its total market capitalization exceeding $250 billion, driven by increasing regulatory clarity globally. Jurisdictions like the U.S. with the GENIUS Act, the EU with MiCA, and Asian economies have introduced frameworks that foster trust and adoption. Stablecoins now account for approximately 30% of all on-chain crypto transaction volume, reaching over $4 trillion in volume between January and July 2025.
Ripple has strategically positioned RLUSD for institutional adoption, focusing on use cases such as cross-border payments, collateral, and settlement. Recent regulatory approvals in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) have further solidified its footprint in the Middle East. These endorsements allow licensed firms to utilize RLUSD for regulated financial activities, reinforcing its role as a compliant settlement asset.
Key partnerships, including BNY Mellon serving as the primary custodian for RLUSD reserves, enhance its institutional credibility and regulatory compliance. Ripple plans to integrate RLUSD deeper into its existing cross-border payment solutions, leveraging its extensive network to facilitate seamless on- and off-ramps into the crypto ecosystem. This strategic approach aims to cater to the demand from financial institutions for secure and efficient digital asset infrastructure.