Key facts
- Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin is now live on over 40 blockchain networks.
- The expansion utilizes Wormhole's Native Token Transfers (NTT) framework.
- New networks include Ethereum layer-2s like Base, Optimism, Ink, and Unichain.
- RLUSD is also live on the XRP Ledger EVM sidechain.
- RLUSD has a market cap of $1.72 billion, ranking it as the 8th-largest stablecoin.
- Mastercard has launched 24/7 settlement using RLUSD on the XRP Ledger.
Ripple has significantly expanded the reach of its RLUSD stablecoin, making it available on over 40 blockchain networks through the integration of Wormhole's Native Token Transfers (NTT) framework. This initiative allows RLUSD to move natively across various blockchain ecosystems, bypassing the need for wrapped token versions. The expansion includes prominent Ethereum layer-2 networks such as Base, Optimism, Ink, and Unichain, as well as the XRP Ledger EVM sidechain. The XRP Ledger EVM sidechain offers developers access to familiar Ethereum development tools while maintaining connectivity to the XRP Ledger. Ripple states that this setup is designed to support cross-border payments, institutional on- and off-ramp services, and tokenization use cases, thereby increasing access to compliant, USD-backed liquidity across supported networks. Launched in late 2024, RLUSD has achieved a market capitalization exceeding $1.7 billion, positioning it among the largest dollar-backed stablecoins. Institutional adoption is growing, with recent developments including partnerships with Turkish exchanges BiLira, Bitexen, and Bitlo to introduce RLUSD to the Turkish crypto market. Furthermore, Mastercard has implemented 24/7 settlement capabilities using RLUSD on the XRP Ledger, and Ripple-backed Evernorth Holdings plans to utilize RLUSD in an XRP-focused treasury business for institutional DeFi and tokenized real-world assets. RippleX, the XRPL developer team, highlights that the increasing adoption of RLUSD across smart contract networks signifies a growing demand for regulated stablecoins within decentralized finance. They also note that XRP can complement RLUSD by providing liquidity, settlement, collateral, and payment functionalities across these chains.