Ripple partners with SBI Holdings to distribute RLUSD stablecoin in Japan

• They have signed an MOU to distribute the stablecoin in Japan via SBI VC Trade.
• RLUSD is a licensed asset, backed by US dollar deposits, reliable reserves, and government bonds.
• The stablecoin is set to debut in Japan in early 2026.

Blockchain firm Ripple has revealed a key development with its long-standing partner SBI Holdings, a leading financial services conglomerate in Japan.

The duo has inked a memorandum of understanding to launch and distribute Ripple USD in Japan.

They will leverage SBI’s certified crypto exchange, SBI VC Trade Co., for the Japanese market to access RLUSD.

The official press release indicates that RLUSD will launch in Japan in early 2026.

The $300B stablecoin market is set to grow into the trillions.

Together with @sbivc_official, we’re bringing $RLUSD to Japan in early 2026, offering users and institutions a trusted, regulated and fully-backed stablecoin built for enterprise use cases. https://t.co/htcrMiQkTe

— Ripple (@Ripple) August 22, 2025

That presents a key step toward enriching financial options available to institutions, retailers, and enterprises that rely on legitimate digital currencies.

Commenting on the integration, SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo stated:

The introduction of RLUSD will not just expand the option of stablecoins in the Japanese market, but is a major step forward in the reliability and convenience of stablecoins in the Japanese market, and an important step in further accelerating the convergence of finance and digital technology.

Stablecoins’ next growth phase

Stablecoins have thrived in 2025, especially after the United States approved the highly anticipated GENIUS law.

Today, these backed digital tokens boast nearly $300 billion in market cap, and experts forecast continued growth, targeting trillions.

While traders interested in price stability fueled the initial wave of stablecoin adoptions, institutional demand and utility appear to drive phase two.

Coinbase has listed World Liberty Financial’s USD1, which has seen explosive growth since its March 2025 launch.

Meanwhile, RLUSD fits there as it prioritizes utility and institutional transactions.

Also, its compliance-first strategy elevated its industry appeal. Ripple publishes attestations from third-party auditors (each month) to guarantee transparency.

Ripple USD boasts unwavering stability, backed by short-term government bonds, US dollar deposits, and other monetary equivalents.

The compliance and transparency set RLUSD ahead of many existing stablecoins.

Ripple Vice President of Stablecoins Jack McDonald emphasized that their collaboration with SBI focuses on building a compliant and trusted financial future. He added:

This distribution in Japan with SBI VC Trade is a culmination of that work. RLUSD is designed to be a true industry standard, providing a reliable and efficient bridge between traditional and decentralized finance. We are confident that this partnership will not only drive stablecoin utility in Japan but also set a new benchmark for the entire market.

RLUSD’s outlook

Ripple’s stablecoin boasts over $666 million in market cap, with a daily volume of $70 million signaling notable user activity.

RLUSD received a vital boost recently after Bullish confirmed using the stablecoin for its successful $1.15 billion initial public offering (IPO) in the US.

Congrats to @Bullish on a successful IPO! 👏

A portion of the IPO proceeds were settled in $RLUSD, minted on the XRP Ledger. This is the first public listing to bring the settlement process onchain and sets a precedent for how stablecoins can shape future listings. https://t.co/AD4AkpPnLD

— Ripple (@Ripple) August 19, 2025

Now, RLUSD braces for the Japan launch in early 2026. Success could boost trust in the stablecoin among institutions, enterprises, and regulators across Asia.