Stablecoins are quickly shedding their image as tools meant only for crypto trading. Today, they are becoming a serious settlement layer for global finance, processing volumes that now rival, and in some cases exceed, traditional banking and payment networks. Ripple sees this shift as a major inflection point, one that could redefine how money moves across borders.
From Trading Pair to Payment Infrastructure
Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, Reece Merrick, recently highlighted how far stablecoins have come. In 2025 alone, stablecoin settlement volumes are projected to reach between $28 trillion and $30 trillion, representing a sharp jump from previous years. That figure puts stablecoins ahead of many legacy payment rails in terms of raw value settled.
What started as a liquidity bridge for crypto markets is now being used for cross-border payments, treasury management, and institutional settlements. Speed, 24/7 availability, and low costs are turning stablecoins into a practical alternative to slower banking systems.
On-Chain Usage Shows Real Demand
The growth is not limited to headline volume numbers. Stablecoins now account for roughly 30% of all on-chain transactions, up from about 20% in earlier years. More than 10 million wallet addresses are actively using stablecoins every day, showing that adoption is spreading beyond professional traders.
This trend reflects a clear preference for digital cash that settles instantly and works across networks. As blockchain infrastructure improves, stablecoins are increasingly becoming the default medium of exchange on-chain.
Regulation Brings Confidence
Another key driver behind this momentum is regulation. Governments and regulators are no longer standing on the sidelines. Frameworks in the US, Europe, and the Middle East are bringing clarity, making institutions more comfortable integrating stablecoins into their operations. Ripple believes this mix of regulatory certainty and real-world demand is what allows stablecoins to scale sustainably.
RLUSD Shows Ripple’s Strategy in Action
Ripple’s own USD stablecoin, RLUSD, offers a snapshot of this broader shift. According to Ripple executive Jack McDonald, RLUSD recently marked its first anniversary and has already climbed into the top five USD stablecoins. The November independent attestation confirmed its growing footprint.
RLUSD has gained conditional approval for Ripple National Trust Bank from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, placing it under both federal and New York oversight. It has also expanded to multiple Layer 2 networks via Wormhole, been green-listed by Abu Dhabi’s FSRA for collateral use, and added support on Gemini for fast, low-cost settlement on the XRPL.
Stablecoins Surge While XRP Lags
Ripple advocate Bill Morgan summed up the contrast simply. RLUSD had a strong year driven by adoption and compliance, while XRP struggled to reflect similar momentum in price. The divergence highlights how Ripple’s stablecoin push is gaining traction even as the market continues to debate XRP’s valuation.
Overall, Ripple’s view is clear. Stablecoins are no longer experimental. They are rapidly becoming the backbone of a faster, more programmable global financial system.
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FAQs
Stablecoins are now used for cross-border payments, institutional settlements, and treasury operations due to fast, low-cost, 24/7 global settlement.
Stablecoin settlement volumes in 2025 are projected at $28–30 trillion, rivaling or exceeding many traditional payment and banking networks.
Clear regulations give institutions confidence to use stablecoins, enabling compliant growth and wider integration into global financial systems.
RLUSD is Ripple’s USD stablecoin, designed for regulated, low-cost settlement, showing Ripple’s strategy to lead in compliant digital payments.
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