Ripple’s RLUSD Quietly Spreads as BitMart Listing Pushes the Stablecoin Further

Ripple USD Expansion Fuels New Debate as RLUSD and XRP Take Center Stage

Ripple’s push into the stablecoin market is gaining momentum, and with it, a new conversation is taking shape across the crypto industry. On January 28, 2026, Ripple USD, known as RLUSD, officially launched on BitMart, expanding access to the company’s dollar-backed stablecoin and intensifying comparisons between RLUSD and XRP, Ripple’s long-standing native digital asset.

According to information shared by the exchange and reviewed by hokanews, users can now deposit RLUSD from 03:00 UTC, begin trading the RLUSD/USDT pair at 04:00 UTC, and withdraw tokens from 05:00 UTC. The listing builds on earlier debuts on major platforms such as Binance and Kraken, significantly improving liquidity and visibility for the stablecoin.

Source: BitMart Official

While trading is restricted in Lithuania due to regulatory requirements, the broader rollout highlights Ripple’s ambition to position RLUSD as a core component of its global payments and financial infrastructure strategy.

What Ripple USD Brings to the Market

RLUSD is a U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoin issued by Standard Custody and Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ripple. Each token is backed one-to-one by U.S. dollars or cash-equivalent reserves, with a clear emphasis on transparency, liquidity, and regulatory alignment.

Market data tracked by hokanews shows RLUSD trading close to its peg at approximately $0.9992, with daily trading volumes fluctuating between $117 million and $120 million. The stablecoin’s market capitalization now stands at roughly $1.33 billion, placing it among the more significant dollar-backed tokens in circulation.

Ripple has integrated RLUSD into several enterprise-grade products, including Ripple Payments, institutional treasury solutions, and decentralized finance applications across both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum networks. This multi-chain approach reflects a deliberate effort to make RLUSD usable beyond a single ecosystem.

XRP Remains a Key Player in the Spotlight

At the same time RLUSD is expanding, XRP has continued to attract strong market attention. The token is currently trading around $1.90, supported by approximately $2.27 billion in 24-hour trading volume and a market capitalization exceeding $116 billion.

Source: CoinMarketCap Data

Recent price strength has been attributed to several factors, including a strategic partnership with DXC Technology, net inflows of $9.16 million into spot XRP exchange-traded funds while other crypto ETFs recorded outflows, and growing speculation that Japan may move toward recognizing XRP as a regulated financial asset.

As a result, discussions around Ripple’s ecosystem increasingly frame RLUSD and XRP side by side, prompting questions about how the two assets coexist and whether one could eventually overshadow the other.

RLUSD and XRP Serve Different Purposes

Despite frequent comparisons, RLUSD and XRP are designed for fundamentally different roles. RLUSD is built for stability. Its primary use cases include payments, remittances, treasury management, and settlement processes that require predictable value.

XRP, by contrast, functions as a bridge asset. It enables fast, low-cost currency conversions across borders, providing liquidity when moving between different fiat currencies or stablecoins.

In practical terms, RLUSD offers price certainty, while XRP delivers speed and efficiency. Ripple’s strategy relies on using both assets together rather than positioning them as competitors.

Ripple’s Dual-Asset Strategy Explained

Ripple’s ecosystem operates on a dual-asset model. RLUSD handles U.S. dollar-based transactions where stability is essential, particularly for institutions and enterprises that cannot tolerate price volatility. XRP supports cross-currency flows, acting as an intermediary when transferring value between different currencies or networks.

This structure reduces risk for institutions while preserving the utility of XRP as a liquidity tool. Rather than replacing XRP, RLUSD complements it by covering a different segment of the payments stack.

According to analysts cited by hokanews, this approach mirrors trends in traditional finance, where stable settlement assets and liquidity instruments serve distinct but interconnected roles.

Expanding Real-World Use Cases for RLUSD

The long-term success of a stablecoin depends less on price movement and more on adoption. Ripple has focused heavily on embedding RLUSD into real-world financial workflows rather than positioning it solely as a trading asset.

Key areas of development include multi-chain deployment to support decentralized finance applications, integration with Chainlink price feeds to enhance transparency, and growing institutional use of RLUSD as collateral.

Ripple has also secured regulatory approvals in several key jurisdictions, including Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and New York, strengthening the stablecoin’s credibility among regulated financial institutions.

The BitMart listing adds another layer of accessibility, particularly for retail users, while reinforcing Ripple’s broader utility-driven narrative.

Regulatory Considerations Shape Availability

Although RLUSD’s expansion has been broad, it has not been universal. Trading restrictions in Lithuania highlight the complex regulatory landscape stablecoins must navigate. These limitations underscore Ripple’s cautious approach to compliance, choosing to limit access in certain regions rather than risk regulatory conflict.

Market observers note that this measured rollout may slow adoption in the short term but strengthens the project’s long-term positioning as regulations around stablecoins continue to tighten globally.

Market Narratives Around RLUSD Versus XRP

As RLUSD gains traction, some market participants have questioned whether it could reduce demand for XRP. Analysts largely reject this view, pointing out that the two assets address different needs.

Stablecoins like RLUSD are optimized for holding and transferring value without volatility. XRP is optimized for rapid movement of liquidity across currencies. One does not replace the other.

Instead, the growing visibility of RLUSD may actually enhance XRP’s relevance by increasing overall activity within Ripple’s ecosystem.

Why Institutions Are Paying Attention

Institutional interest in Ripple’s offerings has grown as the company shifts its focus from speculative use cases toward infrastructure. Treasury teams and payment providers increasingly value tools that offer compliance, transparency, and operational efficiency.

RLUSD’s design aligns with these priorities, while XRP’s established liquidity network continues to support cross-border transactions at scale.

According to hokanews, this combination positions Ripple uniquely among blockchain companies, blending stablecoin reliability with high-speed settlement capabilities.

Looking Ahead to Ripple’s 2026 Strategy

As 2026 unfolds, Ripple’s strategy appears centered on deepening integration rather than chasing short-term hype. The company is investing in compliance, enterprise partnerships, and infrastructure that supports both stable and volatile assets within a unified framework.

Future milestones are expected to focus on expanding RLUSD’s institutional footprint while continuing to develop XRP’s role in global liquidity markets.

Conclusion

The launch of RLUSD on BitMart marks another significant step in Ripple’s stablecoin expansion and highlights the evolving relationship between RLUSD and XRP. Rather than competing, the two assets form complementary pillars within Ripple’s ecosystem.

RLUSD provides stability for payments and treasury operations, while XRP enables fast and efficient cross-border liquidity. Together, they reflect Ripple’s broader vision of building a mature, utility-driven financial network.

As adoption grows and regulations evolve, Ripple’s dual-asset strategy may serve as a model for how blockchain projects balance stability and speed in the next phase of digital finance.

hokanews.com – Not Just Crypto News. It’s Crypto Culture.

Writer @Erlin
Erlin is an experienced crypto writer who loves to explore the intersection of blockchain technology and financial markets. She regularly provides insights into the latest trends and innovations in the digital currency space.
 
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