Okay, here's the most recent news from the world of cryptocurrencies: Ripple and SBI Holdings have worked together to bring Ripple's new stablecoin, RLUSD, to Japan. It's like a big handshake of money power, and it will hit Japan in the first quarter of 2026. Yes, write it down on your calendar.
Ripple Gets Cozy with Japan’s First Licensed Payment Provider
So, what's going on? Well, SBI VC Trade (which is basically Japan's financial superhero with a fancy license) is going to be the main partner for RLUSD in Japan. They have a real Electronic Payment Instrument Exchange Service Provider license, which means they are real. This is Ripple's big move to make RLUSD a well-known name in Japan's stablecoin world.
So, what is this RLUSD thing? It is a stablecoin that is said to be very stable and is backed by US dollar deposits and short-term government bonds. In other words, it's like the safe, responsible cousin of other cryptocurrencies that you can trust with your lunch money.
SBI CEO Says RLUSD Will Be a Game Changer
Tomohiko Kondo, the CEO of SBI VC Trade, is very excited about this launch. He says that RLUSD will give Japan more stablecoin options and make things run more smoothly and reliably. Jack McDonald, Ripple's "Senior Vice President of Stablecoins," is also excited and says that the goal here is to create a reliable financial system. I mean, who wouldn't want that?
Japan's First Exchange to Support Stablecoin
SBI VC Trade is no stranger to stablecoins, in case you didn't know. They started things off in March 2025 when they became the first exchange in Japan to be able to send USDC. That was a big deal because it meant that USDC was the first stablecoin to be officially approved in Japan's regulated financial market. So, yes, they know what they're doing.
In November 2024, Circle's USDC was doing well, with a monthly trading volume of $1 trillion. Ripple wants to build on its success now that RLUSD is coming in hot. Standard Custody & Trust Company is in charge of the details of the stablecoin's distribution. Ripple isn't just launching a coin; it's part of a bigger plan to get into the Real World Assets markets.
Also, Japan's Financial Services Agency has approved JPYC as the first stablecoin that is pegged to the yen. This means that Japan's stablecoin game is officially heating up. Circle also gave JPYC Inc. 500 million yen through Series A funding. That's a lot of support.
Ripple’s RLUSD Makes Waves Globally with AMINA Bank Launch
Meanwhile, Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin is also making headlines beyond Japan. AMINA Bank, a Swiss-regulated institution, has become the first bank globally to offer custody and trading services for RLUSD. This move positions AMINA at the forefront of integrating traditional banking with blockchain technology, marking a significant step toward mainstream adoption of Ripple’s stablecoin. With this new partnership, RLUSD continues to gain traction as a trusted and compliant asset for institutions looking to get in on the stablecoin action.
Ripple is making moves in Japan with RLUSD, thanks to its partnership with SBI VC Trade. This could be a big deal, and it could help Ripple make a big impact in the stablecoin market. You might want to keep an eye on this one, people!
Gunel Ismayilova
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