Ripple has officially introduced its RLUSD stablecoin in Japan, marking one of the first major stablecoin launches under the country’s updated digital asset regulatory framework. The launch is in partnership with financial giant SBI Holdings and its subsidiary SBI VC Trade, following explicit approval from Japan’s Financial Services Agency (JFSA).
RLUSD is now classified as an electronic payment instrument for foreign-issued stablecoins under the Payment Services Act, providing it with a clear legal foundation for payments, remittances, and institutional financial operations. Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, highlighted that Japan’s regulatory clarity positions the country as a leader in digital asset adoption, and that RLUSD will act as a bridge between Japanese and global liquidity markets, enabling cross-border payments, asset tokenization, and collateral management.
SBI VC Trade will support the stablecoin’s distribution and integration into local payment systems, leveraging the long-standing collaboration between Ripple and SBI Holdings. This move not only strengthens Ripple’s footprint in Asia but also sets a precedent for regulated stablecoin adoption, potentially encouraging other issuers to seek similar approvals.
