Ripple has launched a new pilot expanding its RLUSD stablecoin across multiple Ethereum layer-2 networks, marking a significant step in its effort to position the regulated digital dollar for broader multichain and institutional use.
Key Takeaways:
- Ripple is piloting RLUSD on several Ethereum layer-2 networks, including Optimism and Base, using Wormhole’s Native Token Transfers standard.
- The expansion aims to improve liquidity access, cross-chain functionality, and institutional adoption while maintaining regulatory compliance.
- RLUSD remains tightly pegged to the US dollar, with its market capitalization exceeding $1 billion as of the latest data.
Ripple Labs is extending the reach of its US dollar–backed stablecoin, RLUSD, beyond its initial deployments on the XRP Ledger and Ethereum by launching a multichain pilot across several Ethereum layer-2 networks. The pilot includes integrations with Optimism, Base, InkChain, and Unichain, leveraging Wormhole’s Native Token Transfers (NTT) framework to enable native movement of RLUSD between chains without relying on wrapped assets.
The company says the initiative is designed to support broader use cases across decentralized finance while preserving the compliance standards expected by institutional users. By moving RLUSD closer to where onchain activity is increasingly concentrated, Ripple is aiming to remove friction for developers, liquidity providers, and enterprises that operate across multiple blockchain environments.
Meanwhile, Ripple notes that the multichain pilot is an early step toward a wider rollout, with public availability dependent on further regulatory approvals.
Wormhole Integration Signals Push for Seamless Cross-Chain Liquidity
Ripple’s adoption of Wormhole’s Native Token Transfers (NTT) standard highlights its focus on interoperability over isolated blockchain deployments. The framework enables RLUSD to move natively across multiple networks while maintaining a single canonical supply, helping reduce liquidity fragmentation and operational complexity as the stablecoin expands beyond its original chains.
Ripple executives say this design is critical for scaling regulated stablecoin use across DeFi, payments, and settlement use cases, particularly as activity shifts toward Ethereum layer-2 networks. The integration also reflects a broader industry push toward cross-chain infrastructure that prioritizes lower fees, faster execution, and shared liquidity without sacrificing compliance.
RLUSD Holds Steady Amid Market Fluctuations
As of this writing (9:15AM UTC), RLUSD continues to trade around $1.00, maintaining its dollar peg. Its market capitalization stands at approximately $1.03 billion, reflecting steady adoption since launch. Daily trading volume ranges between $40 million and $90 million, indicating consistent usage rather than speculative spikes.
However, Ripple’s native token XRP is currently following the broader crypto market’s downward trend as it trades at approximtaely $1.88, dropping 5.9% in the last 24 hours from daily highs of around $2.00 to lows near $1.86.
Regulatory Backdrop Shapes RLUSD Rollout
Despite technical progress, Ripple’s multichain expansion remains a pilot pending regulatory approval. RLUSD operates under a New York trust framework, and Ripple is pursuing additional clearances for broader issuance across Ethereum layer-2 networks.
Full public access is unlikely before 2026, reflecting Ripple’s focus on compliance as it targets institutional adoption. While this cautious approach may slow deployment compared with other stablecoins, it positions RLUSD as a trusted option for enterprises and financial institutions seeking regulated digital dollars.
What’s Next
Ripple’s decision to take RLUSD multichain signals a long-term bet on interoperability as a defining feature of the next phase of crypto infrastructure. By positioning RLUSD across high-activity layer-2 networks, Ripple is laying groundwork for deeper integration into DeFi protocols, crypto wallets, and enterprise settlement systems.
The next major inflection point will be regulatory approval, which could unlock broader liquidity and accelerate adoption across decentralized and institutional platforms. Until then, the pilot serves as a measured but strategic step toward making RLUSD a foundational asset in the evolving multichain crypto economy.
Summary
Ripple has begun a multichain pilot to deploy its regulated RLUSD stablecoin across multiple Ethereum layer-2 networks using Wormhole’s NTT standard, aiming to improve cross-chain liquidity and institutional adoption while awaiting further regulatory approvals.
