Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, has officially launched in Japan following approval from the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA), marking a significant step in the company’s global stablecoin expansion strategy.
The stablecoin is now available through SBI VC Trade, the cryptocurrency exchange operated by SBI Group, giving both retail and institutional users in Japan access to RLUSD through the VCTRADE platform.
We’re proud to announce that Ripple USD ($RLUSD) is now officially available in Japan, following approval from the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA): https://t.co/5rJZBrFaIM
Through our partnership with SBI Group and @sbivc_official, $RLUSD will be accessible to both…
— Ripple (@Ripple) June 25, 2026
The launch follows a plan first announced in August 2025, when Ripple and SBI Group signed a memorandum of understanding naming SBI VC Trade as the local distribution partner. The companies had targeted an early 2026 rollout, which has now been completed.
Why is Japan important for RLUSD?
Japan is one of the world’s most tightly regulated digital asset markets and has established a clear legal framework for stablecoins under its Payment Services Act. The approval allows RLUSD to operate as a recognized foreign-issued stablecoin within the country.
The move provides Ripple with regulated access to Japanese users while leveraging SBI VC Trade’s existing licenses and infrastructure. It also strengthens a partnership between Ripple and SBI that dates back to 2016 and has focused on blockchain-based financial services across the Asia-Pacific region.
For Ripple, Japan represents another key market in its effort to expand RLUSD’s global footprint and increase adoption of regulated digital dollar products. Ripple also received preliminary approval for a CASP licence in Luxembourg, bringing the company closer to offering regulated crypto services across the European Economic Area.
Ripple eyes payments and tokenization growth
Ripple said RLUSD is designed for cross-border payments, tokenized assets, and collateral management. Since its launch in late 2024, the stablecoin has grown to a market capitalization of approximately $1.7 billion.
Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, said the Japan launch will broaden access to regulated U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins and support new financial use cases for businesses and institutions.
SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo described the rollout as a major milestone for the long-standing partnership between the two companies, adding that they intend to develop additional services and applications around RLUSD.
What’s next for RLUSD in Japan?
The launch comes as Ripple continues to expand RLUSD across international markets and blockchain networks. Earlier this month, the company introduced the stablecoin to institutional users in Türkiye through several local crypto platforms.
RLUSD has also expanded beyond the XRP Ledger and Ethereum, gaining support across multiple blockchain networks through interoperability solutions aimed at increasing accessibility.
While regulatory approval gives RLUSD a strong foundation in Japan, its long-term success will depend on adoption by businesses, institutions, and retail users. Liquidity, pricing efficiency, and demand for dollar-based digital settlements are expected to play a key role in determining its growth in the Japanese market.
Enjoyed this? Bookmark DeFi Planet, explore related topics, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and CoinMarketCap Community for seamless access to high-quality industry insights.
Take control of your crypto portfolio with DEFI PLANET PRO, DeFi Planet’s suite of analytics.
