- RLUSD is now available in Japan through SBI VC Trade following approval under the country’s stablecoin framework.
- Ripple and SBI plan to support payments, tokenization, collateral management, and cross-border liquidity use cases.
- The launch expands RLUSD’s global reach, bringing the stablecoin to one of the world’s largest regulated crypto markets.
Ripple and SBI Holdings have launched Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan, opening access to the U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin for institutional and retail users through SBI VC Trade’s VCTRADE platform. The launch follows approval from Japan’s Financial Services Agency (JFSA) and marks a new phase in the companies’ decade-long partnership, which has focused on blockchain-based financial infrastructure since 2016.
RLUSD Enters Japanese Market
According to Ripple, RLUSD received approval under Japan’s Payment Services Act framework for foreign-issued stablecoins. The company said the stablecoin will now be available through SBI VC Trade, a licensed Electronic Payment Instruments Exchange Service Provider.
The launch stems from a memorandum of understanding signed by Ripple and SBI Holdings in August 2025. With regulatory clearance now in place, both companies have moved forward with commercial availability.
Ripple stated that RLUSD will serve both institutional and retail customers. Users will access the stablecoin through the VCTRADE platform operated by SBI VC Trade.
Partnership Focuses On Financial Use Cases
As availability begins, Ripple outlined several intended uses for RLUSD in Japan. The company said the stablecoin can support payments, tokenization, and collateral management activities.
Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, said Japan remains a major market for digital assets due to regulatory clarity and financial innovation. He added that RLUSD aims to connect businesses and consumers with global liquidity through regulated infrastructure.
Meanwhile, SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo said the launch represents another step in the long-standing relationship between SBI Group and Ripple. He noted that both companies plan to expand services built around RLUSD.
Stablecoin Reaches New Market
The Japan launch arrives as RLUSD continues expanding internationally. Ripple said the stablecoin has reached a market capitalization of $1.7 billion since launching in late 2024.
According to the company, RLUSD already supports settlements, cross-border liquidity, and transparency-focused payment operations in multiple markets. Ripple also said organizations are exploring the stablecoin for programmable trade settlements and supply chain finance.
Notably, the launch extends a partnership that has connected Ripple and SBI Group for nearly a decade. With RLUSD now available through SBI VC Trade, the stablecoin has entered one of the world’s largest regulated digital asset markets under JFSA oversight.
