Ripple and SBI to Bring RLUSD Stablecoin to Japan by Early 2026
Ripple and SBI Holdings are preparing to launch Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan, aiming for a rollout in the first quarter of 2026. The move marks a significant step toward expanding regulated stablecoin use in Japan’s growing digital asset ecosystem.
Announced through a memorandum of understanding, the agreement names SBI VC Trade — a licensed Electronic Payment Instruments Exchange Service Provider — as the official distributor of RLUSD within Japan.
RLUSD, introduced by Ripple in December 2024, is the company’s first U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin. It is fully backed by USD deposits, short-term Treasuries, and cash equivalents, with monthly third-party attestations to ensure transparency and compliance.
SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo highlighted the token’s potential to elevate Japan’s digital finance infrastructure: “RLUSD will not only expand stablecoin options but also improve reliability and usability for local users.”
Ripple’s stablecoin head Jack McDonald said RLUSD is designed to meet institutional standards and regulatory expectations, offering a compliant bridge between traditional and decentralized finance.
The rollout underscores the long-standing partnership between Ripple and SBI and comes as Japan recently approved its first yen-backed stablecoin — signaling growing official support for tokenized money within regulated frameworks.
