Ripple’s RLUSD Quietly Nears $250M — Is It Gunning for USDT’s Throne?

Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, is quietly gaining serious traction — with its market cap closing in on the $250 million mark. While it hasn’t made waves in the headlines just yet, the numbers suggest Ripple may be positioning RLUSD as a major contender in the stablecoin arena — and possibly a future rival to USDT.

Though still far behind market giants like Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), RLUSD’s growth has been steady, deliberate, and largely under the radar — a classic Ripple move.

The Silent Climb to $250M

RLUSD has managed to grow without fanfare, attracting users through Ripple’s institutional relationships, blockchain infrastructure, and XRP Ledger compatibility. The stablecoin is reportedly backed 1:1 with USD or equivalent assets, aiming to offer regulatory-compliant stability in a market increasingly focused on transparency and risk mitigation.

Ripple has yet to fully market RLUSD as a flagship product — which makes its quiet climb to a quarter-billion dollars in circulation all the more intriguing.

“Ripple isn’t just competing with XRP anymore,” said one analyst. “They’re building the tools to own a piece of the stablecoin layer too.”

A Strategic Shift for Ripple

Historically known for XRP and cross-border payments, Ripple seems to be expanding its ecosystem into more direct competition with existing stablecoin leaders. With growing regulatory clarity in the U.S. and abroad, the demand for stablecoins issued by known, compliant entities is on the rise.

If RLUSD continues to scale — especially through integrations with RippleNet partners or DeFi protocols — it could evolve from a side project into a serious alternative to USDT or USDC in regulated markets.

USDT in the Crosshairs?

Tether’s USDT currently dominates the stablecoin market with over $100 billion in circulation. However, its lack of regulatory oversight and repeated concerns over reserves have created an opening for new challengers.

Ripple’s credibility with institutional clients, coupled with its legal victories and pro-regulation stance, may help RLUSD position itself as a “safe, compliant, and enterprise-ready” stablecoin in contrast to more opaque competitors.

What to Watch Next

• Liquidity Expansion: Will RLUSD appear on more major exchanges or DeFi platforms?
• Marketing Push: Will Ripple formally announce RLUSD as a key pillar of its ecosystem?
• Institutional Adoption: Could RippleNet partners begin using RLUSD for settlement or remittance?

While it’s too early to call RLUSD a USDT killer, its momentum suggests Ripple is playing the long game — and $250 million may just be the beginning.