XRP-Powered RLUSD Sees Record Growth Amid Rising Adoption

XRP’s influence in the blockchain ecosystem continues to expand, as Ripple’s USD-backed stablecoin RLUSD gains significant traction within the digital asset and traditional finance landscapes alike. Launched just over six months ago, RLUSD is solidifying Ripple’s competitive position in the global stablecoin market.

RLUSD Gains Ground in the Financial Ecosystem

Built to comply with the European Union’s regulatory framework known as Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), RLUSD processed over 33,000 transactions in its initial six-month pilot phase, showcasing early promise. The majority of its supply — approximately $52.9 million — exists on the Ethereum blockchain, while $13.3 million was minted on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). Its official release came in December after securing regulatory approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).

Initially supported by platforms including MoonPay, CoinMena, and Uphold Inc., RLUSD soon expanded to more prominent exchanges such as Kraken, Bitget, and Uniswap. By the first quarter of 2025, the stablecoin had captured a robust $244 million market cap across both Ethereum and XRPL networks.

RLUSD’s rapid scaling didn’t stop there. The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) subsequently recognized the stablecoin as a regulated crypto token within the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC). By that time, its market capitalization surged to $310 million, continuing its upward trajectory.

Growing Institutional Partnerships

In a major institutional breakthrough, RLUSD secured support from Swiss bank AMINA, becoming the first stablecoin to be integrated by the institution. AMINA now offers both trading and custody services for RLUSD, reflecting growing acceptance among financial institutions. Ripple followed this by announcing that BNY Mellon, the oldest bank in the United States, has been entrusted with custodial services for the stablecoin — a move that reinforces credibility and operational reliability.

Presently, RLUSD’s market cap has soared past the $500 million milestone. This achievement marks a significant moment for a stablecoin launched less than a year ago. Despite this impressive growth, RLUSD still trails behind market giants like Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC, which command market caps of $158 billion and $61 billion, respectively.

Ripple’s Strategic M&A Moves

Beyond impressive numbers and strategic partnerships, Ripple has been actively shaping its long-term strategy through acquisitions. In April, the company invested $1.25 billion to acquire Hidden Road, a global brokerage firm. This acquisition makes Ripple the only crypto-native firm to own and operate a multi-asset prime broker, significantly extending its reach into institutional finance. Hidden Road processes $3 trillion annually, serving over 300 institutional clients worldwide. RLUSD is now positioned as the collateral backbone for the firm’s suite of prime services.

Alongside this, there were reports suggesting Ripple had an interest in acquiring stablecoin rival Circle, the issuer of USDC. Valued between $4 to $5 billion, the proposed acquisition was allegedly declined due to valuation differences. However, contradictory claims emerged when Chris Brummer, a Georgetown law professor, shared a statement from Circle’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse asserting that Ripple never attempted to purchase the company and had no such interest.

With RLUSD firmly establishing its presence and strategic acquisitions underway, Ripple is positioning XRP and its associated ecosystem as serious contenders in the evolving digital finance space. As the company continues to build regulatory trust and expand institutional relationships, the XRP-led stablecoin initiative is poised for further growth in the months ahead.

Related: XRP Price: $12M Max Pain for Bears

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