Ripple USD Goes Live In Japan As SBI Opens Access Through VC Trade Platform - Mena FN — 2026-06-25

## Short Segments Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin launches in Japan, marking a new chapter for regulated digital assets in Asia. OpenPayd secures a MiCA license, expanding its stablecoin infrastructure across Europe. Ripple and SBI's RLUSD stablecoin debut in Japan, following regulatory approval. And Kraken partners with Maple to expand OTC lending through an onchain facility. Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin launches in Japan, marking a new chapter for regulated digital assets in Asia. Ripple has expanded the reach of its RLUSD stablecoin into Japan after receiving regulatory approval from the Japan Financial Services Agency. This move is a significant step in Ripple's efforts to strengthen regulated stablecoin adoption across Asia. The rollout is conducted through Ripple’s partnership with SBI Group and its cryptocurrency trading platform VCTRADE. This approval allows RLUSD to be offered as a new category of payment instrument, targeting payments, tokenization, and collateral management for Japanese users and institutions. The launch extends RLUSD’s push into Asia, following recent market access wins in Türkiye. For Ripple, this development not only enhances its presence in the Asian market but also integrates digital assets more deeply into mainstream financial services. OpenPayd secures a MiCA license, expanding its stablecoin infrastructure across Europe. OpenPayd, a financial infrastructure provider, has secured authorization under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. This strengthens its ability to deliver regulated stablecoin infrastructure across Europe. The milestone comes a year after OpenPayd launched its stablecoin infrastructure, enabling businesses to manage fiat and digital assets through a single platform. The MiCA license allows OpenPayd to offer crypto services across the EU, aligning with its plans for a public listing in the US. This development is crucial as demand for regulated stablecoin infrastructure accelerates across Europe, providing businesses with a compliant and efficient way to integrate digital assets into their operations. Ripple and SBI's RLUSD stablecoin debut in Japan, following regulatory approval. Ripple and SBI Group have launched the RLUSD stablecoin in Japan after receiving approval from the Japan Financial Services Agency. This approval allows RLUSD to be recognized as an electronic payment instrument under Japan’s Payment Services Act. The stablecoin is now available to both institutional and retail investors through SBI VC Trade’s platform. This launch is part of Ripple’s strategy to expand its stablecoin distribution across major financial markets, targeting payments, tokenization, and collateral management. The entry into Japan represents a significant step in Ripple's efforts to integrate digital assets into traditional financial systems. Kraken partners with Maple to expand OTC lending through an onchain facility. Kraken has partnered with Maple to expand its over-the-counter lending through an onchain warehouse facility. This facility brings institutional structured credit infrastructure onchain for the first time, replicating the protections of traditional credit markets. The USDC-denominated facility funds Kraken’s OTC lending program, allowing accredited lenders on Maple to supply USDC liquidity directly to Kraken’s institutional borrowers. This partnership marks a significant development in bringing traditional finance lending structures to blockchain-based markets, enhancing liquidity and credit access for institutional clients. ## Feature Story Ripple USD goes live in Japan as SBI opens access through the VC Trade platform. Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin has officially launched in Japan, following regulatory approval from the Japan Financial Services Agency. This marks a significant milestone for Ripple and its partner, SBI Holdings, as they expand regulated stablecoin distribution across major financial markets. The RLUSD stablecoin, pegged to the US dollar, is now available to both institutional and retail users through SBI VC Trade’s platform. This launch positions RLUSD as Japan’s first “Type 4” electronic payment instrument stablecoin, under the country’s strict Payment Services Act. The approval by Japan’s financial regulator allows RLUSD to be offered as a new category of payment instrument, enhancing its utility in payments, tokenization, and collateral management. This development is part of Ripple's broader strategy to integrate digital assets into mainstream financial services, particularly in Asia. The stablecoin's entry into Japan follows recent market access wins in Türkiye, highlighting Ripple's commitment to expanding its footprint in the region. For Ripple, the launch of RLUSD in Japan is not just about expanding market access but also about setting a precedent for regulated stablecoin adoption in Asia. By working with SBI Group, a major Japanese financial services conglomerate, Ripple is leveraging local expertise to navigate the regulatory landscape and ensure compliance with Japan’s financial regulations. This partnership underscores the importance of collaboration between traditional financial institutions and blockchain companies in driving the adoption of digital assets. Looking ahead, the success of RLUSD in Japan could pave the way for further expansion into other Asian markets, as Ripple continues to advocate for the integration of digital assets into traditional financial systems. The launch also signals a growing acceptance of stablecoins as a viable payment instrument, potentially influencing regulatory approaches in other regions. As Ripple and SBI Group continue to innovate and expand their offerings, the RLUSD stablecoin could become a key player in the global stablecoin market.