Key facts
- Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin is now available on Turkish platforms BiLira, Bitexen, and Bitlo.
- Garanti BBVA Kripto uses Ripple Custody for digital asset storage, transfer, and on/off-ramp access.
- Turkey's retail crypto trading volume rose 7% year-on-year to $40 billion in early 2026.
- Turkey passed crypto asset regulation, Law No. 7518, in July 2024, with secondary rules in March 2025 and custody rules in June 2026.
- RLUSD's market cap reached an all-time high near $2.5 billion in September 2026.
Ripple has expanded the availability of its RLUSD stablecoin to the Turkish cryptocurrency market, a region identified as one of the world's largest for digital asset adoption. The move aims to provide regulated, dollar-backed liquidity in response to currency pressures faced by the Turkish economy.
Turkey's retail crypto trading volume increased by 7% year-on-year to approximately $40 billion in early 2026, elevating its global adoption ranking. Ripple's RLUSD is now accessible on Turkish platforms including BiLira, Bitexen, and Bitlo, following distribution partnerships formalized in June 2026.
Reece Merrick, Ripple's Managing Director for Middle East and Africa, stated that in markets with currency pressure, individuals turn to crypto for protection rather than speculation, highlighting RLUSD's practical utility. The stablecoin's market capitalization near $2.5 billion in September 2026 indicates broader growth beyond any single market.
Ripple's entry into Turkey is supported by the country's regulatory framework, including Law No. 7518 passed in July 2024, which granted the Capital Markets Board (CMB) authority over crypto assets. Subsequent rules in March 2025 established licensing and AML obligations for crypto service providers, with custody-specific rules taking effect in June 2026. Garanti BBVA Kripto, Turkey's second-largest private bank, already utilizes Ripple Custody for digital asset storage, transfer, and on/off-ramp services for BTC, ETH, and XRP, meeting the CMB's institutional custodian standards. Ripple is also developing a broader tokenization stack, evidenced by its September 2026 partnership with SettleMint.