TLDR:
- Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin enters Africa through Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card, boosting institutional and retail crypto access.
- RLUSD market cap exceeds $700M since 2024 launch, with demand from both financial institutions and crypto trading platforms worldwide.
- Mercy Corps Ventures in Kenya pilots RLUSD for drought and rainfall insurance, releasing funds via blockchain-based smart contracts.
- RLUSD now listed alongside top exchanges like Kraken, Gemini, and Bitstamp, expanding its global stablecoin adoption footprint.
Ripple has moved its USD-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, into Africa, expanding access to regulated digital dollars for institutions and retail users.
The company announced the launch on September 4, confirming partnerships with Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card. The new collaborations aim to widen cross-border payment options and reinforce financial infrastructure across the continent.
RLUSD Market Growth and Ripple’s African Partnerships
Ripple stated that RLUSD was built with compliance and transparency at its foundation, backed by its long experience with both crypto and traditional finance.
Since launching in late 2024, RLUSD has crossed $700 million in market capitalization, underscoring demand from institutional clients. The stablecoin has been adopted in enterprise use cases ranging from tokenization to collateral for trading markets.
Jack McDonald, Ripple’s SVP of Stablecoins, said demand for the stablecoin is growing among global partners. He noted that extending access through African firms was the next step in scaling adoption. Ripple has also integrated RLUSD into Ripple Payments, expanding stablecoin availability within its cross-border payment solutions.
Executives from Ripple’s new African partners emphasized the role of RLUSD in advancing digital asset infrastructure. Chipper Cash CEO Ham Serunjogi said making the stablecoin available would strengthen blockchain use in cross-border payments. VALR CEO Farzam Ehsani called the listing a step toward serving both institutional and retail clients with compliant assets. Yellow Card CEO Chris Maurice added that customers require reliable digital dollars for payments and treasury management.
2/ This is just the start.
Our pilot projects with @MCSocialVenture in Kenya are already using $RLUSD to create climate-resilient financial solutions for farmers, providing vital drought and rainfall insurance through smart contracts.
Drought pilot: https://t.co/4FXAZYjdFA…
— Ripple (@Ripple) September 4, 2025
RLUSD Supports Pilot Insurance Projects in Kenya
Ripple confirmed that its stablecoin is also being used in pilot projects in Kenya through Mercy Corps Ventures.
These projects apply smart contracts to deliver climate-resilient insurance for farmers. One initiative sets aside RLUSD as drought coverage, releasing funds automatically if satellite data shows prolonged dry conditions.
A second pilot focuses on rainfall insurance, unlocking RLUSD when extreme weather affects farming communities. By linking payouts to real-time climate data, the programs aim to provide faster and more transparent relief.
Ripple said these projects reflect the stablecoin’s utility in addressing practical financial challenges.
Alongside Africa, the Ripple stablecoin remains available across major global exchanges. Partners include Bitso, Bitstamp, Kraken, Gemini, Mercado Bitcoin, and Uphold. The stablecoin has become embedded in payment, liquidity, and collateral applications since its launch.
Ripple first announced the African expansion in a blog post and through updates on its official account. The company said the move is part of a broader strategy to integrate stablecoins into regulated, real-world use cases.
With its African partnerships now live, RLUSD adds another region to its global network of distribution and adoption
