Ripple Expands RLUSD Stablecoin to Africa Through Key Institutional Partnerships
Ripple partners with Chipper Cash, VALR and Yellow Card to launch its regulated stablecoin RLUSD across Africa.
Ripple, the blockchain infrastructure company best known for its cross-border payments network, is expanding its dollar-backed stablecoin Ripple USD (RLUSD) into Africa. The move comes through strategic partnerships with Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card, three of the continent’s most prominent fintech and crypto platforms.
Launched in late 2024, RLUSD has quickly grown to a market capitalization of over $700 million. Unlike many other stablecoins, Ripple designed RLUSD with regulatory compliance as a core feature. Issued via a New York limited purpose trust company overseen by the state’s Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), the token is positioned as a reliable digital asset for both crypto-native and traditional financial markets.
Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, emphasized the institutional demand driving this expansion. “RLUSD has quickly become established in enterprise financial use cases, from payments to tokenisation to collateral in both crypto and traditional trading markets,” he said. “We’re seeing demand for RLUSD from our customers and other key institutional players globally and are excited to now begin distribution in Africa through our local partners.”
Ripple’s three partners will be responsible for distributing RLUSD across the continent and integrating it into their platforms. For fintech leaders, the collaboration signals a new phase in Africa’s digital payments landscape.
Ham Serunjogi, CEO of Chipper Cash, noted that RLUSD is “uniquely positioned to drive institutional use of blockchain technology across Africa and broader global markets, including through cross-border payments.” Similarly, Chris Maurice, CEO of Yellow Card, argued that demand for “stable digital assets that are useful for secure cross-border payments and treasury management” is accelerating, and RLUSD provides an enterprise-grade solution.
From the exchange side, VALR’s co-founder and CEO, Farzam Ehsani, described the listing as part of a wider strategy to provide clients with trusted options. “The listing of RLUSD reflects our broader strategy to support stablecoin options that serve the evolving needs of both institutional and retail clients seeking a reliable digital dollar for a growing range of use cases,” he explained.
Beyond institutional finance, Ripple is also testing humanitarian applications for RLUSD. In Kenya, the company is supporting pilot projects with Mercy Corps Ventures that use the stablecoin as a financial buffer against climate-related disasters. One project releases funds automatically via smart contracts if satellite data detects drought, providing farmers with drought insurance. Another applies the same model to extreme rainfall, channeling funds to affected communities.
Ripple continues to scale RLUSD’s global presence. Alongside its African expansion, the stablecoin is already available on major exchanges such as Bitso, Bitstamp, Gemini, Kraken, and Uphold. By pairing regulated issuance with broad distribution, Ripple is positioning RLUSD as a trusted bridge between traditional finance and blockchain-based innovation—particularly in regions where stable access to the U.S. dollar can play a transformative role.
