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- Ripple and SBI launched RLUSD in Japan after regulatory approval.
- SBI VC Trade now offers RLUSD through its VCTRADE platform.
- RLUSD strengthens Ripple’s regulated stablecoin expansion strategy across Asia.
After obtaining a license from the Japanese financial regulator, Ripple and SBI have just launched the RLUSD stablecoin in Japan. The launch will help SBI VC Trade gain access to the dollar-backed stablecoin and further strengthen Ripple’s presence in one of the most regulated digital asset market in Asia.
On the launch, both the institutional and retail customers will be able to transact with RLUSD through the platform of SBI VC Trade, which is known as VCTRADE. Furthermore, it also complements the strategic alliance that Ripple entered into with Japanese financial services provider SBI in August 2025 for the introduction of the stablecoin in the country.
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Japan Approves RLUSD Under Stablecoin Regulatory Framework
RLUSD was registered as a foreign-issued electronic payment instrument by Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) under the Payment Services Act (PSA). The approval will allow the stablecoin to operate under the Japanese digital payment assets regulatory framework.
“It’s Japan’s continued support of innovation in the cryptocurrency space that’s playing within the bounds of its rules and regulations, and at the same time, is offering effective regulatory protection for digital asset users and financial institutions,” said Ripple.
Japan is still a world leader in the adoption of digital assets, Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, said. With the newly regulated stablecoin, businesses, consumers, and financial institutions will have access to a “transparent and well-regulated stablecoin backed by the United States dollar,” McDonald said.
RLSD will enable cross-border payments and tokenization and handle collateral management, he added. Additionally, the stablecoin will enable Japanese businesses to access the world’s liquidity via Ripple’s enterprise payment network.
Ripple and SBI Strengthen Longstanding Partnership
Ripple and SBI have been collaborating since 2016 on developing blockchain infrastructure and digital asset services in Japan and Asia-Pacific. Together they have sponsored several projects that have to do with enterprise blockchain adoption and cross-border payment solutions.
The launch is an important step in the companies’ long-term relationship, said SBI VC Trade Chief Executive Officer Tomohiko Kondo. Kondo stated that Ripple and SBI are still dedicated to the promotion of on-chain finance, which is a regulated digital asset service.
However, Kondo added both parties will continue to build services around RLUSD. In addition, they will be rolling out more use cases that can generate more value for customer firms and customers.
RLUSD Expansion Strengthens Ripple’s Strategy in Asia
Ripple introduced a dollar-backed stablecoin for the enterprise called RLUSD in late 2024. So far the asset has been launched with a market capitalization of approximately $1.7 billion and the demand of the institutions is growing.
In addition to facilitating cross-border liquidity, RLUSD also provides benefits for quicker settlements, collateral management, and tokenization in various regulated markets. Ripple is also looking into applications such as programmable trade settlements and supply chain financing.
The launch in Japan further bolsters Ripple’s stablecoin expansion efforts in Asia. Consequently, the company broadens RLUSD’s reach through one of the region’s most established financial groups while reinforcing its long-term partnership with SBI.
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