- Ripple brings RLUSD to Japan with SBI VC Trade.
- FSA prepares approval for first yen-pegged stablecoin issuance.
- JPYC adoption may boost demand for Japanese government bonds.
Ripple has announced that it is bringing its highly regulated Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin to the Japanese market in partnership with SBI VC Trade, the cryptocurrency exchange arm of financial giant SBI Holdings, in early 2026.
The chief executive officer of SBI VC Trade, Tomohiko Kondo, stated that it is a significant step towards promoting the convenience and reliability of stablecoin adoption in the Japanese market. His comments reflect the increasing importance of regulated stablecoins as more secure alternatives to digital transactions.
Growing Role of RLUSD in Global Markets
Ripple officially launched RLUSD in December last year, and the token has quickly gained traction across the global financial landscape. According to CoinGecko, RLUSD currently holds a market capitalization of $667 million, placing it among the stronger stablecoin entrants in the sector.
The token has already proven to be practically useful, as it was applied during the recent Bullish exchange IPO settlement. It is also being considered to become part of Ripple’s credit facility with the Gemini trading platform, which indicates its growing impact on digital finance.
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Japan’s Increasing Stablecoin Activity
Japan has been positioning itself as a hub for regulated stablecoin innovation. Earlier this year, Circle launched USDC in the country in collaboration with SBI VC, which also increased the competition among issuers. Meanwhile, local fintech company JPYC was approved to issue the first yen-pegged stablecoin, which is supported by liquid securities, such as government bonds.
Japan has already been preparing to license this yen-based stablecoin, with JPYC being the first to do so, having registered as a money transfer business. As Okabe, a representative of the JPYC issuing company, said, extensive use may increase the demand for Japanese government bonds. He warned that the delay in approving stablecoins in countries would cause the loss of institutional demand, which would eventually drive interest rates upward.
Correlation Between RLUSD and Domestic Developments
Ripple’s entry with RLUSD comes as Japan actively builds a regulated environment for stablecoins. Whereas RLUSD will offer dollar-backed liquidity and international connectivity, JPYC will allow digital finance to be directly connected to the Japanese bond market through its yen-backed stablecoin.
Together, they represent complementary developments that could expand stablecoin use domestically while reinforcing Japan’s ambition to align digital assets with traditional financial instruments.
Conclusion
Ripple’s collaboration with SBI VC Trade places it directly at the center of Japan’s regulated digital asset market. The release of RLUSD should increase competition among other stablecoin providers and promote Ripple’s influence on the Asian financial market.
Meanwhile, the FSA is also working on issuing a yen-pegged stablecoin, indicating Japan’s interest in incorporating stablecoins into its financial market. These combined moves signal that Japan is preparing to balance global stablecoin adoption with strong domestic frameworks, setting the stage for long-term growth.
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