Stablecoins are evolving into a global payment layer, and Ripple says regulation and adoption will encourage use by institutional investors, with circulation reaching up to $30 trillion by 2025.
Ripple’s RLUSD is indicative of this change, gaining regulatory approval, multi-chain expansion, and real-world utility despite lagging XRP price momentum.
Stablecoins are rapidly shedding their image as tools exclusively for cryptocurrency trading. Today, they have become a key payments layer in global finance, with processing volumes comparable to, and in some cases exceeding, traditional banks and payment networks. Ripple sees this change as a major turning point that could redefine how money moves across borders.
From trading pairs to payment infrastructure
Reese Merrick, Ripple’s managing director for the Middle East and Africa, recently highlighted how far stablecoins have come. In 2025 alone, stablecoin payments are expected to reach between $28 trillion and $30 trillion, a significant increase from the previous year. This number puts the stablecoin above many traditional payment rails in terms of raw value settled.
What started as a liquidity bridge in the cryptocurrency market is now used for cross-border payments, treasury management, and institutional settlements. Due to their speed, 24/7 availability, and low cost, stablecoins are becoming a viable alternative to slow banking systems.
On-chain usage shows real demand
This growth is not limited to headline volume numbers. Stablecoins now account for around 30% of all on-chain transactions, up from around 20% previously. More than 10 million wallet addresses are actively using stablecoins every day, indicating widespread adoption beyond professional traders.
This trend reflects the preference for digital cash, which is instantaneous and works across networks. As blockchain infrastructure improves, stablecoins are becoming the default medium of on-chain exchange.
Regulation brings trust
Another key driver behind this momentum is regulation. Governments and regulators are no longer on the sidelines. Frameworks in the US, Europe, and the Middle East have provided clarity, allowing institutions to more confidently integrate stablecoins into their operations. Ripple believes this combination of regulatory certainty and real-world demand will allow stablecoins to sustainably scale.
RLUSD shows Ripple’s real strategy
Ripple’s own USD stablecoin, RLUSD, provides a snapshot of this broader change. Ripple executive Jack McDonald said RLUSD recently celebrated its one-year anniversary and is already ranked among the top five USD stablecoins. An independent certification in November confirmed its growing footprint.
RLUSD received conditional approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for Ripple National Trust Bank, placing it under both federal and New York state oversight. It also expanded to multiple Layer 2 networks via wormholes, was greenlisted by Abu Dhabi’s FSRA for collateral usage, and added support for Gemini for fast and low-cost payments in XRPL.
Stablecoins soar while XRP lags
Ripple proponent Bill Morgan summed up this contrast succinctly. While RLUSD had a strong year driven by adoption and compliance, XRP struggled to translate similar momentum into price. This discrepancy highlights how Ripple’s stablecoin push is gaining momentum even as the market continues to debate XRP’s valuation.
Overall, Ripple’s position is clear. Stablecoins are no longer experimental. They are rapidly becoming the backbone of a faster, more programmable global financial system.
