Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, will be launched in Japan in early 2026 through a partnership with financial services company SBI Holdings and its crypto exchange, SBI VC Trade.
Under a new agreement, SBI VC Trade will manage the distribution of RLUSD. The move comes as Japan prepares to issue its first official stablecoin.
Tomohiko Kondo, CEO of SBI VC Trade, stated that the introduction of RLUSD is a significant step toward improving the reliability and convenience of stablecoins in Japan and will help accelerate the “convergence of finance and digital technology.”
Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, Jack McDonald, added that the company is confident this partnership will drive stablecoin use in Japan and “set a new benchmark for the entire market.”
First launched in December 2024, RLUSD is backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term Treasury securities, and other liquid assets. Its collateral is verified by independent monthly reports. RLUSD currently has a market capitalization of $666 million, making it the eighth-largest stablecoin by market value.
This expansion into Japan follows Ripple’s recent approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority, which allows RLUSD to be integrated into payment platforms in that region.
