Stablecoins have become pillars of the crypto ecosystem because they connect these assets to the traditional financial system. Indeed, their role goes beyond simple monetary stability. They facilitate cross-border payments, support the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) and strengthen market liquidity. In this rapidly expanding landscape, Ripple intends to make its mark with its stablecoin Ripple USD (RLUSD). Launched on December 17, 2024, this dollar-backed stablecoin is experiencing rapid adoption and already has a capitalization of $71.8 million, according to CoinGecko. Its development goes beyond current platforms. The company is increasing its efforts to expand its exchange network, an initiative confirmed by its president, Monica Long, who announced increased availability of RLUSD on new marketplaces “in the very near future”.
RLUSD: imminent deployment on new platforms
Ripple is accelerating the distribution of its stablecoin Ripple USD (RLUSD) by increasing the number of integrations on new exchange platforms. This strategy aims to strengthen its presence against the main stablecoins on the market. On January 7, 2025, Monica Long, President of Ripple, confirmed this rise during an interview with Bloomberg. She has declared that: “we continue to expand the distribution and availability of Ripple dollars on other exchange platforms. You can expect more announcements very soon…imminently.”
Although it did not specify which platforms will soon integrate RLUSD, this announcement demonstrates Ripple's desire to accelerate its adoption. Launched on December 17, 2024, RLUSD is backed by the US dollar at a ratio of 1:1. In just a few weeks, its capitalization reached $71.8 million, according to data from CoinGecko.
Currently, RLUSD is available on several exchanges, including Bitso, MoonPay, CoinMina, Bullish, Mercado Bitcoin, B2C2, Keyrock, Archax, Independent Reserve and JST Digital. However, its liquidity remains heavily concentrated on Bullish, where 76% of total trading volume is traded. Two main pairs dominate the market: RLUSD/USDC and XRP/RLUSD.
The growth of this stablecoin is largely based on the dynamics of Ripple's payment solutions, a sector which has doubled in activity in one year. This rapid expansion of RLUSD could thus meet a growing demand for solid alternatives to dominant stablecoins, such as USDT and USDC. Through the expansion of its distribution network, Ripple seeks to establish RLUSD as a key player in the stablecoin market, at a time when the sector reaches $206.2 billion in global capitalization, according to DefiLlama.
A rise facilitated by DeFi and ambitions around an XRP ETF
The expansion of RLUSD goes beyond centralized exchanges. Ripple is also seeking to anchor its stablecoin in the world of decentralized finance (DeFi) through its association with Chainlink. This strategic partnership aims to integrate RLUSD price oracles on Ethereum and the XRP Ledger, ensuring increased transparency and more reliable market data. With this advancement, DeFi protocol users and developers will be able to benefit from accurate and secure RLUSD quotes, thereby reducing the risks of price manipulation and service interruptions.
This move could drive broader adoption of RLUSD in DeFi applications, including for lending services, decentralized exchanges, and automated payments. Through the integration of these tools on Ethereum and the XRP Ledger, Ripple positions its stablecoin as a robust alternative to dominant stablecoins and reinforces its utility beyond simple exchanges.
At the same time, Ripple is showing even greater ambitions for XRP, which could soon join bitcoin and Ethereum in the inner circle of ETF-backed assets. Monica Long suggested that this development was imminent. She asserts that: “we will see an XRP ETF very soon. XRP is probably next in line after bitcoin and ETH.” Many investment companies, including WisdomTree, Bitwise and 21Shares, have already submitted applications to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The approval of such a financial product could mark a watershed moment for Ripple and the XRP ecosystem. An ETF would make it easier for institutional investors to access XRP, thereby increasing its liquidity and adoption. This dynamic could also strengthen the integration of RLUSD, and position it as a preferred stablecoin within a more institutional framework. If the SEC were to give the green light, Ripple could consolidate its presence in the digital payments market, but also establish itself as a key player in the management of cryptos on a large scale.
With the deployment of RLUSD on new platforms and its gradual integration into decentralized finance, Ripple is strengthening its influence on the stablecoin market. Its partnership with Chainlink could accelerate the adoption of RLUSD in DeFi protocols, providing a more robust alternative to current solutions. At the same time, the prospect of an XRP ETF could transform the Ripple ecosystem, attracting institutional investors, which would increase the liquidity of its network. If the SEC validates this request, the balance of the stablecoin and crypto market could be profoundly altered. The year 2025 promises to be decisive for Ripple, which seeks to establish itself as a key player in the digital payments and blockchain infrastructure sector. Between strategic expansion and regulatory advances, the group is playing one of its most important cards since its creation.
Maximize your Tremplin.io experience with our 'Read to Earn' program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.
