Ripple and SBI Group plan to distribute RLUSD and make it available in Japan by the first quarter of 2026.
Ripple and SBI Holdings, a major Japanese financial services conglomerate, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) allowing the latter’s subsidiary to distribute the Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin in Japan.
The stablecoin is fully backed by high-quality reserves, including U.S. dollar deposits, short-term US
government bonds, and other cash equivalents, with monthly attestations from a third-party accounting firm.
“SBI Group has been leading the development of the cryptocurrency and blockchain field in Japan.
Our company has been the first to obtain the Electronic Payment Instrument Exchange Service
Provider License in Japan, and have started handling stablecoins. The introduction of RLUSD will not
just expand the option of stablecoins in the Japanese market, but is a major step forward in the
reliability and convenience of stablecoins in the Japanese market.” said SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo.
“Our partnership with SBI has always been about more than just technology; it’s about building a
trusted and compliant financial future,” said Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of
Stablecoins. “The distribution of RLUSD in Japan with SBI VC Trade is a culmination of that work.
RLUSD is designed to be a true industry standard, providing a reliable and efficient bridge between
traditional and decentralised finance.”
