XRP News Today: RLUSD Surges to $1B After Abu Dhabi's Green Light, Advancing Fintech Hub Goals

RLUSD Stablecoin Surpasses $1 Billion on Ethereum

Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has achieved a significant milestone, with its circulating supply on Ethereum exceeding $1 billion. This growth is largely attributed to regulatory approval in Abu Dhabi and a surge in institutional interest for compliant digital assets.

Launched in December 2024, RLUSD now represents more than 80% of its total supply on the Ethereum network, making it one of the fastest-expanding regulated USD-backed stablecoins available today. The recent recognition by the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) as an “Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token” has enabled RLUSD to be used for collateral, settlements, and lending within the UAE’s financial sector.

This regulatory green light has paved the way for greater institutional adoption, particularly in the Middle East. Entities licensed by ADGM are now able to incorporate RLUSD into their financial operations. RLUSD is fully collateralized by cash and U.S. Treasury securities and is issued through Standard Custody & Trust Company, a New York-chartered trust institution. This approach aligns with the compliance standards of established stablecoins such as USDC and PYUSD, providing institutions with a reliable and regulated alternative.

Abu Dhabi’s approval of RLUSD also reflects the city’s broader ambition to become a leading global fintech center, attracting projects that prioritize regulatory clarity and compliance.

Ethereum’s Role in RLUSD’s Expansion

The rapid adoption of RLUSD on Ethereum is driven by the network’s robust DeFi ecosystem, lending platforms, and cross-chain liquidity solutions. Bridges connecting the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and Ethereum have enabled smooth transfers of RLUSD, supporting a variety of use cases from decentralized finance to corporate payments. Although RLUSD originated on XRPL—where it represents 77% of stablecoin value—Ethereum has emerged as its main distribution platform, putting it in direct competition with leading stablecoins.

Daily trading volumes for RLUSD now exceed $43 million, highlighting its growing popularity among both traders and institutional investors.

Market Position and Future Outlook

RLUSD’s swift rise has placed it among the top 10 stablecoins by market capitalization, though it remains smaller than industry giants like USDT and USDC. Analysts point out that RLUSD’s regulated foundation and presence across multiple blockchains give it a distinct advantage as global regulators increasingly emphasize transparency in the digital asset space.

Ripple’s commitment to building institutional partnerships—including a custody arrangement in the UAE for tokenizing real-world assets—demonstrates its intent to expand beyond the XRP ecosystem.

Looking forward, RLUSD’s continued success will depend on maintaining institutional confidence and increasing liquidity. While it faces challenges from established competitors and the volatility of the broader crypto market, Ripple’s focus on regulatory compliance and cross-border functionality positions RLUSD to capture a significant share of the regulated stablecoin sector by 2026.