TLDR
- Ripple partners with Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card to launch RLUSD in Africa
- RLUSD market cap exceeds $700 million since late 2024 launch
- Stablecoin is USD-backed and regulated by New York Department of Financial Services
- African expansion targets cross-border payments and institutional services
- Kenya pilots use RLUSD for agricultural insurance programs
Ripple has launched its RLUSD stablecoin across African markets through strategic partnerships with three major regional exchanges. The expansion brings the regulated digital dollar to millions of users across the continent.
The partnerships include Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card – three of Africa’s largest fintech platforms. These companies will integrate RLUSD into their payment systems for both retail customers and institutional clients.
RLUSD launched in December 2024 as a fully-backed USD stablecoin. The token is issued by a New York trust company under direct supervision from the New York Department of Financial Services, ensuring regulatory compliance.
Since launch, RLUSD has achieved rapid growth with market capitalization surpassing $700 million. This growth reflects strong institutional demand for compliant stablecoins in global markets.
Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, confirmed that RLUSD is already being used for payments, tokenization, and collateral management. He emphasized that African expansion was driven by increasing customer demand worldwide.
African Partners Drive Regional Adoption
Chipper Cash operates one of Africa’s largest cross-border payment networks. CEO Ham Serunjogi stated that RLUSD integration builds on existing Ripple collaborations and will accelerate institutional blockchain adoption across Africa.
VALR, the continent’s highest-volume cryptocurrency exchange, will offer RLUSD to both institutional and retail traders. CEO Farzam Ehsani highlighted the stablecoin’s regulatory compliance as a key factor for client trust.
Yellow Card focuses on payment infrastructure for emerging markets. CEO Chris Maurice explained that RLUSD aligns with the company’s mission to provide secure, compliant solutions for cross-border treasury management.
Real-World Applications in Kenya
Kenya is hosting pilot programs that demonstrate RLUSD’s practical applications. Mercy Corps Ventures is using the stablecoin to provide drought insurance and rain risk protection for local farmers.
These programs use smart contracts to automatically release insurance payouts based on satellite weather data. The system provides transparent, efficient distribution of relief funds to agricultural communities.
Integration with Ripple Payments Network
RLUSD is now available within Ripple Payments, the company’s global remittance infrastructure. This integration expands cross-border payment options for financial institutions operating between Africa and other regions.
The stablecoin joins Ripple’s existing digital asset suite for international transfers. Institutions can use RLUSD for liquidity management and settlement of cross-border transactions with improved efficiency.
The African partnerships position RLUSD as a core component in the continent’s expanding digital finance ecosystem. Financial institutions gain access to regulated stablecoin infrastructure through established local partners with proven track records.
