Ripple and SBI Holdings are set to launch Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan, aiming to leverage the country’s growing stablecoin market under new regulatory guidelines.
The two firms announced on Friday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding, appointing SBI VC Trade as the distributor. SBI VC Trade, a licensed Electronic Payment Instruments Exchange Service Provider, plans to have RLUSD operational in Japan by the first quarter of 2026.
RLUSD is Ripple’s inaugural stablecoin initiative, which debuted in December 2024. The token is entirely backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term Treasuries, and cash equivalents, with monthly confirmations from a third-party firm.
Ripple states that this framework provides regulatory transparency and institutional-grade compliance—qualities it believes will set RLUSD apart from competitors.
SBI executives presented the partnership as a move towards enhancing Japan’s digital finance landscape. “The launch of RLUSD will not only broaden the stablecoin options available in the Japanese market but also represents a significant advancement in the reliability and convenience of stablecoins,” remarked SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo.
Ripple executives emphasized the focus on compliance as well. “RLUSD is crafted to establish a true industry standard, delivering a dependable and efficient conduit between traditional and decentralized finance,” noted Jack McDonald, Ripple’s senior vice president of stablecoins.
The launch further underscores the strengthening relationship between Ripple and SBI, long-standing collaborators in Asia’s blockchain realm. This announcement also coincides with Japan’s recent approval of the first yen-denominated stablecoin for issuance in the country.
