Ripple Expands RLUSD Stablecoin Into African Markets With $700M Backing

(MENAFN- Yolo Wire) %Ripple has announced the launch of its U.S. dollar-backed %Stablecoin (CRYPTO: $RLUSD) across Africa. The expansion, backed by key fintech and exchange partners, is geared towards revolutionizing cross-border payments and enterprise liquidity in one of the world's fastest-growing digital payment regions. The stablecoin will be integrated through Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card partnerships. Each of these companies has a major impact on Africa's financial ecosystem.

Chipper Cash, a leading provider of peer-to-peer payments, has recognized RLUSD as a catalyst for expediting cost-effective cross-border remittances. CEO Ham Serunjogi said the move supports the company's goal of making international transfers easier for its users.

Valr, Africa's largest cryptocurrency exchange, is to add RLUSD to its platform for trading and collateral. Co-founder Farzam Ehsani stressed regulatory-compliant digital assets that will facilitate mainstream adoption.

Another prominent fintech platform, Yellow Card, highlighted the growing demand for stable and reliable solutions. CEO Chris Maurice said RLUSD's compliance-first design provides customers with a trusted option for treasury management and cross-border payments.

RLUSD is expanding beyond the finance industry. Mercy Corps Ventures is piloting drought and rainfall insurance programs using RLUSD in Kenya. The smart contracts attached to satellite data also trigger payouts, showing how blockchain can be used to mitigate climate risk.

The stablecoin has also ventured into the decentralized finance space. RLUSD has been added on Aave Horizon as collateral, widening liquidity choices for institutions and DeFi users. Ripple sees this integration as a key to linking regional demand to global capital markets.

Global Expansion Strategy

Ripple's African launch comes after the company's recent global growth. The stablecoin was launched in Japan by SBI Holdings and in Luxembourg in Europe under the EU MiCA framework. Ripple also minted an additional $24 million worth of RLUSD, increasing its total supply and driving its total market cap above $700 million since its launch in late 2024.

Jack McDonald, Ripple's Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, said the African expansion is a response to strong global adoption in payments, tokenization, and collateralized trading. He described Africa as an important market, with the growth of digital payment speeding up.

Africa is one of the most expensive regions for cross-border transactions. By integrating RLUSD through existing local partners, Ripple establishes itself as a gateway between regional markets and global liquidity ecosystems.

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