TLDR
- Ripple is expanding RLUSD stablecoin access into Africa through partnerships with Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card
- RLUSD has reached over $700 million in market capitalization since launching in late 2024
- The stablecoin is USD-backed and issued by a New York trust company under NYDFS supervision
- African partners will use RLUSD for cross-border payments, settlements, and institutional services
- Pilot programs in Kenya are using RLUSD for drought insurance and agricultural risk protection
Ripple has announced the expansion of its enterprise stablecoin RLUSD into African markets. The company is working with three major regional fintech firms to introduce the digital dollar across the continent.
The partnerships include Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card. These companies will integrate RLUSD into their existing payment and trading platforms for both institutional and retail customers.
1/ The next chapter for $RLUSD starts in Africa.
→ https://t.co/6gRqrdNwSWWe're proud to bring our trusted, USD-backed stablecoin to the continent with new partners @chippercashapp, @VALRdotcom, and @YellowCard_App. 🌍
Together, we'll unlock new potential for cross-border…
— Ripple (@Ripple) September 4, 2025
RLUSD launched in late 2024 as a USD-backed stablecoin designed for regulatory compliance. The token is issued by a New York limited purpose trust company under supervision from the New York Department of Financial Services.
The stablecoin has grown rapidly since its debut. Market capitalization has exceeded $700 million as institutional demand has increased globally.
Jack McDonald serves as Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins. He stated that RLUSD is already being used for payments, collateral management, and tokenization by institutional clients.
McDonald said the African expansion represents a key milestone for the company. Customer and partner requests for RLUSD access have been increasing worldwide.
Regional Partners Drive Adoption
Chipper Cash operates one of Africa’s largest fintech platforms for cross-border payments. CEO Ham Serunjogi said RLUSD builds on previous collaborations with Ripple and will accelerate blockchain adoption across the continent.
VALR operates as Africa’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume. CEO Farzam Ehsani highlighted RLUSD’s compliance features as making it suitable for both institutional and retail clients seeking a trusted digital dollar.
Yellow Card provides payment infrastructure focused on emerging markets. CEO Chris Maurice said RLUSD fits the company’s mission of offering secure, compliant payment solutions for cross-border treasury management.
Practical Applications in Kenya
RLUSD is being tested in pilot programs within Kenya through partnerships with organizations like Mercy Corps Ventures. The programs focus on agricultural insurance products for local farmers.
The pilots use RLUSD to provide drought insurance and rain risk protection. Smart contracts automatically release relief funds based on satellite data about weather conditions.
These programs demonstrate how the stablecoin can bridge traditional finance with blockchain technology. The approach provides transparent, automated distribution of insurance payouts.
Integration with Ripple Payments
RLUSD is now available within Ripple Payments, the company’s global remittance network. This integration expands cross-border payment options for financial institutions operating in Africa and other regions.
The stablecoin joins Ripple’s existing suite of digital assets for international transfers. Institutions can use RLUSD for liquidity management and settlement of cross-border transactions.
The African partnerships position RLUSD as a key component in the continent’s growing digital finance ecosystem. Financial institutions can access regulated stablecoin infrastructure through established local partners.
