- Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin is now live in Japan through SBI VC Trade following Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA) approval.
- The USD-backed token, with a $1.7 billion market cap, is available to both institutional and retail users on the VCTRADE platform.
- This marks a key milestone in Ripple’s long-term partnership with SBI Group, building on their 2016 collaboration.
Ripple has officially launched its Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin in Japan, providing a regulated bridge for payments, tokenization, and collateral management in one of Asia’s most sophisticated digital asset markets.
In a statement on June 24, 2026, Ripple announced the availability of RLUSD via its partnership with SBI Holdings and subsidiary SBI VC Trade. The launch follows regulatory approval from the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA), classifying RLUSD as a new type of electronic payment instrument under the Payment Services Act.
\”Japan has long been a leader in digital asset adoption, underpinned by both regulatory clarity and financial innovation,” said Jack McDonald, Senior Vice President of Stablecoins at Ripple. “Through our collaboration with SBI Group, RLUSD will serve as a bridge for payments, tokenization and collateral management, connecting Japanese businesses and individuals more efficiently to global liquidity.”
SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo echoed the sentiment, highlighting the decade-long relationship between the companies and their shared vision for on-chain finance. RLUSD is now accessible to both institutional and retail users on SBI VC Trade’s VCTRADE platform.
Launched in late 2024, RLUSD is a fully reserved, USD-backed stablecoin with attestations provided by Deloitte. It is backed 1:1 by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S. government bonds, and cash equivalents. As of the launch, the stablecoin boasts a market capitalization of approximately $1.7 billion.
The move aligns with Japan’s growing embrace of stablecoins. Earlier on the same day, SBI Group launched its own yen stablecoin JPYSC, and the country’s three megabanks (MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho) have plans for commercial stablecoin transactions by March 2027.
This development comes amid broader market conditions where Bitcoin has faced volatility, recently trading around $61,000, but underscores continued institutional interest in regulated digital assets for cross-border efficiency and liquidity.
Ripple and SBI Group have collaborated since 2016 on blockchain infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region. The RLUSD launch fulfills an MOU signed in August 2025 and positions the stablecoin for use cases in programmable settlements and supply chain finance.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.
