Ripple launches RLUSD in Japan market

• Ripple USD (CRYPTO:RLUSD) launched in Japan after receiving approval under the country's stablecoin framework.
• The stablecoin is now available through SBI VC Trade for retail and institutional users.
• Ripple is positioning RLUSD for payments, tokenisation and collateral management as part of its expansion across Asia.

Ripple USD (CRYPTO:RLUSD) has launched in Japan through SBI VC Trade after receiving approval from the Japan Financial Services Agency, giving the dollar-backed stablecoin access to one of Asia's most regulated digital asset markets.

The launch follows an August 2025 agreement between Ripple and SBI Group that designated SBI VC Trade as the local distribution partner and targeted an early 2026 market entry.

“Transparent, regulated USD-backed stablecoins” can support payments, tokenisation and collateral management in Japan, said Ripple Senior Vice President of Stablecoins Jack McDonald.

Ripple said RLUSD is classified under Japan's Payment Services Act as an electronic payment instrument for foreign-issued stablecoins, while SBI VC Trade's existing licence provides the regulatory framework needed to distribute the asset locally.

The company said RLUSD has reached a market value of approximately US$1.7 billion since launching in late 2024, and following the announcement the Ripple USD price was unchanged at approximately US$1.00.

SBI VC Trade Chief Executive Tomohiko Kondo described the launch as a major milestone in the long-standing partnership between SBI Group and Ripple, adding that both companies plan to expand RLUSD-related services and use cases.

The Japan launch follows Ripple's recent RLUSD expansion into Türkiye and its integration across more than 40 blockchain networks, extending the stablecoin's distribution footprint beyond its initial support on XRP Ledger and Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH).

At the time of reporting, Ethereum price was $1,640.75.