XRP is set to make waves in the Asian market as Ripple prepares to introduce its RLUSD stablecoin to Japan by 2026 through a major partnership with SBI VC Trade.

Ripple Collaborates with SBI VC Trade

Ripple has entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of Japan’s SBI Holdings. This collaboration aims to facilitate the distribution of Ripple’s USD-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, across the Japanese market.

This marks a significant step as SBI VC Trade is the first Japanese entity authorized to operate as an Electronic Payment Instruments Exchange Service Provider. The firm’s regulatory standing enables it to manage stablecoins in compliance with Japan’s evolving legal framework. Ripple and SBI intend to build reliable and transparent financial infrastructure tailored to digital asset adoption in Japan.

SBI VC Trade’s CEO, Tomohiko Kondo, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative. He stated that this project goes beyond simply increasing the number of stablecoins in circulation. Instead, it represents progress toward integrating finance and digital technologies within Japan’s financial ecosystem.

Japan’s Supportive Regulatory Climate

The partnership comes as Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) begins examining proposals related to yen-pegged stablecoins. These tokens are expected to enhance applications ranging from cross-border remittances to decentralized finance (DeFi) use cases. This favorable regulatory backdrop helps pave the way for Ripple’s long-term regional expansion of RLUSD.

RLUSD’s Steady Global Expansion

Launched in December 2024, RLUSD has quickly grown in prominence among institutional users. Its total market cap has reached $666.74 million, with $580.84 million issued on the Ethereum blockchain and $85.91 million circulating on the XRP Ledger, according to DeFiLlama data.

The token experienced additional global exposure when it facilitated settlements in Bullish crypto exchange’s $1.1 billion IPO. The event highlighted RLUSD’s utility in major institutional operations, further cementing its use case beyond retail trading.

Strong Regulatory Positioning in the U.S.

Ripple has also been proactive in aligning RLUSD with regulatory expectations in the U.S. The stablecoin is overseen by both state and federal frameworks, making it the first digital asset in the U.S. to operate under dual-layer supervision. Ripple’s pursuit of a national banking charter and its registration with the New York Department of Financial Services adds to this legitimacy.

Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, underscored RLUSD’s vision. He described the asset as a “true industry standard,” designed to act as a seamless conduit between traditional banking systems and the decentralized finance sector.

Ripple’s RLUSD is positioning itself as a compliant and scalable stablecoin within Japan’s advancing digital economy.

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

Conclusion

Ripple’s planned launch of RLUSD in Japan adds significant momentum to its broader global strategy. As Japan refines its stablecoin regulatory policies, Ripple’s collaboration with local financial giant SBI VC Trade positions XRP and RLUSD as key players in Asia’s digital currency evolution. With both compliance and scalability in mind, the initiative is a noteworthy development in the shifting intersection of blockchain and traditional finance.