Ripple officially launched its own stablecoin—Ripple Dollar (RLUSD). The announcement, made on December 17, 2024, marks a significant step in the expansion of Ripple’s services in the cryptocurrency space. 

RLUSD will combine the stability of the U.S. dollar with the power of blockchain technology, reportedly offering an enterprise-grade solution for both institutional and retail users.

RLUSD Available on Multiple Exchanges

RLUSD is now available on major global exchanges, including Uphold, Bitso, MoonPay, Archax, and CoinMENA. Ripple has plans for broader adoption, with additional listings on platforms like Bitstamp, Bullish, Mercado Bitcoin, and Independent Reserve expected in the coming weeks. 

The firm has assured users that each RLUSD token is fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, government bonds, and liquid cash equivalents. To maintain trust and transparency, Ripple will publish monthly attestations by an independent auditing firm to verify RLUSD’s reserves.

Enterprise-Grade Design for Global Use

According to Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, RLUSD is designed with trust, compliance, and utility at its core. The stablecoin is being launched under the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) limited-purpose trust company charter. As the U.S. government develops clearer regulations around digital assets, Ripple expects RLUSD’s adoption to grow, providing real utility to users worldwide.

Per repports, early next year, Ripple Payments will integrate RLUSD into its global payment system. Ripple Payments already handles a significant volume of cross-border payments, and the addition of RLUSD is expected to increase efficiency, lower costs, and streamline settlement processes for Ripple’s enterprise clients.

The company has assembled an advisory board composed of renowned figures in the financial industry to provide strategic guidance. Among these advisors are Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and Kenneth Montgomery, former First Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Rajan and Montgomery join Ripple’s existing board members, including former FDIC Chair Sheila Bair and Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen. 

Bridging Fiat and Crypto

One of the key advantages of RLUSD is its ability to bridge traditional fiat currencies with the growing world of cryptocurrency. The stablecoin is designed to facilitate seamless on-ramping and off-ramping between traditional finance and the digital asset ecosystem. This functionality is especially useful for enterprises and financial institutions looking to access the crypto space without the volatility often associated with other digital currencies.

Ripple also sees RLUSD as a solution to the liquidity challenges faced by remittance and treasury operations. The stablecoin is optimized for cross-border payments, offering near-instant settlement and reducing the friction typically involved in traditional money transfers. 

Additionally, RLUSD can be integrated with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, offering further flexibility for users and developers alike.

In the future, Ripple plans to expand the use of RLUSD in real-world applications. The stablecoin’s ability to serve as collateral for tokenized real-world assets such as commodities and securities can play an important role in the evolution of blockchain-based financial systems. Moreover, Ripple’s global network of payment providers will reportedly drive adoption across regions including the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.