Ripple SBI Partnership Brings RLUSD Stablecoin to Japan 2026
Ripple and SBI just dropped a regulatory bombshell—their RLUSD stablecoin lands in Japan by 2026, and the market's already buzzing.
Why This Partnership Changes Everything
SBI's deep regulatory connections meet Ripple's blockchain prowess. They're not just entering the Japanese market—they're rewriting its rulebook. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) approval looks imminent, and competitors are sweating.
The 2026 Timeline: Strategic Genius or Regulatory Gambit?
Two years might seem long, but in Japan's meticulous financial landscape? It's lightning speed. This gives Ripple and SBI time to build infrastructure while slowly choking competitors' oxygen. Traditional banks are watching—some might even join rather than fight.
Stablecoin Wars: Japan Becomes the Battleground
RLUSD won't just compete with JPY-pegged stablecoins—it'll challenge the dollar's dominance in Asian forex markets. Cross-border payments could get slashed from days to seconds, and remittance fees might actually become reasonable for once.
Because nothing disrupts legacy finance like watching ancient banking giants finally have to innovate—or become irrelevant.
Strategic Partnership for Stablecoin Distribution
SBI VC Trade, a licensed Electronic Payment Instruments Exchange Service Provider, will be the distribution partner for RLUSD in Japan. The collaboration represents a significant expansion of Ripple’s stablecoin presence in the Asian market. SBI Group is Japan’s first company to obtain the Electronic Payment Instrument Exchange Service Provider License.
RLUSD is designed as an enterprise-grade stablecoin backed by high-quality reserves, including US dollar deposits and short-term government bonds.
SBI VC Trade CEO Tomohiko Kondo emphasized that introducing RLUSD will expand stablecoin options in Japan while improving reliability and convenience. Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, highlighted the collaboration’s focus on building trusted and compliant financial infrastructure.
First Exchange in Japan to Serve Stablecoin
SBI VC Trade’s experience with stablecoins began in March 2025, when it became Japan’s first exchange to secure regulatory approval for USDC distribution. Early in the month, the company obtained Electronic Payment Instruments Exchange Service Provider registration from Japan’s Financial Services Agency. USDC launched on SBI VC Trade on March 26, 2025, marking the first officially approved stablecoin in Japan’s regulated financial market.
Circle’s USDC achieved $1 trillion in monthly trading volume by November 2024, with 78% year-over-year circulation growth. The RLUSD introduction builds upon this foundation, with Ripple’s partnership involving Standard Custody & Trust Company as the specific subsidiary managing the arrangement. This expansion aligns with Ripple’s broader strategy to enter Real World Assets markets using RLUSD as a cornerstone product.
