Ripple, a leader in enterprise blockchain and crypto solutions, and SBI Holdings, a major Japanese financial services conglomerate, together with its subsidiary SBI VC Trade Co., Ltd., a provider of crypto asset exchange services (jointly “SBI Group”), announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for SBI VC Trade, a licensed electronic payment instruments exchange service provider in Japan. The agreement outlines their intention to distribute Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan. Valued at nearly $300 billion, the stablecoin market is projected to grow into the trillions in the coming years. As stablecoins become a core component of global financial infrastructure, the next wave of adoption will be driven by utility and institutional demand. RLUSD is positioned as a trusted, enterprise-grade stablecoin, designed with compliance and transparency at its core. It is fully backed by high-quality reserves, including US dollar deposits, short-term US government bonds, and other cash equivalents, with monthly attestations from a third-party accounting firm. This commitment to regulatory clarity distinguishes RLUSD from other stablecoins and provides the assurance institutions require. “SBI Group has been leading the development of the cryptocurrency and blockchain field in Japan. Our company was the first to obtain the electronic payment instrument exchange service provider license in Japan and began handling stablecoins. The introduction of RLUSD will not just expand stablecoin options in the Japanese market, but is a major step forward in the reliability and convenience of stablecoins, and an important step in accelerating the convergence of finance and digital technology. We will continue to work with Ripple to build a safe and transparent financial infrastructure,” said SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo. “Our partnership with SBI has always been about more than just technology; it is about building a trusted and compliant financial future,” said Jack McDonald, Ripple’s senior vice president of stablecoins. “The distribution of RLUSD 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 decentralised finance. We are confident this partnership will not only drive stablecoin utility in Japan but also set a new benchmark for the wider market.” SBI VC Trade plans to make RLUSD available in Japan in the first quarter of 2026. Redisseminated by The Asian Banker
