News
Ripple's Dollar Stablecoin RLUSD Goes Live in Japan via SBI — March 31, 2026
Bottom line: a foreign dollar coin, handled in Japan
As reported, the exchange SBI VC Trade began distributing Ripple's US-dollar stablecoin RLUSD in Japan on March 31, 2026. It is a concrete example of Japan's legal path for foreign stablecoins turning into an actual product.
Key points
- SBI VC Trade began distributing RLUSD on March 31, 2026 (as reported)
- RLUSD is pegged to the US dollar; reserves are reported as US Treasuries and cash, with monthly third-party attestations
- Handled under Japan's revised Payment Services Act as a licensed electronic-payment-instrument exchange provider
- Ripple and XRP are different; RLUSD is a dollar coin, not XRP
What is RLUSD?
RLUSD is a US-dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by Ripple. It is designed to track $1, with reserves reported as US Treasuries and cash equivalents and monthly third-party reporting for transparency — aimed largely at institutional and payment use.
"Ripple" is not "XRP"
RLUSD is the dollar coin issued by Ripple (the company); XRP is a separate crypto asset. Keeping them distinct makes this easier to follow.
Why it matters
Japan is already rolling out yen stablecoins; adding a foreign dollar-pegged coin through a regulated channel can broaden uses (transfers, payments, parking funds). Still, foreign coins carry depeg and issuer risk, and should only be handled via a registered provider.
FAQ
Q. Is RLUSD the same as XRP? A. No. RLUSD is Ripple's dollar-pegged stablecoin; XRP is a separate crypto asset.
Q. Can anyone in Japan buy it? A. It is handled via a registered provider (here, SBI VC Trade). Check each provider's terms and primary sources for eligibility.
Sources
- Ripple taps SBI Holdings to bring RLUSD stablecoin to Japan (Yahoo Finance): https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ripple-taps-sbi-holdings-bring-114422155.html
- SBI Japan Starts Distributing Ripple's RLUSD (Bitget News, 2026-03-31): https://www.bitget.com/amp/news/detail/12560605323329
Not financial advice
This reflects publicly reported information as of June 2026 and is not investment advice. Rules, company moves and prices can change — confirm the latest with official sources.
This article is informational only and is not financial, investment, or trading advice. Prices are reference snapshots and may be outdated. Always do your own research.
