The world's largest crypto exchange Binance officially listed Ripple's stablecoin RLUSD on January 21 – a milestone that could significantly accelerate institutional adoption of the Ripple ecosystem. With a zero-fee promotion and several trading pairs, including the strategically important XRP/RLUSD pair, RLUSD positions itself as a serious competitor in the fiercely competitive stablecoin market.
Binance Listing: The Key Facts
From January 22, 2026, at 08:00 UTC, the following spot trading pairs will be available:
XRP/RLUSD – the first direct trading pair between Ripple's native cryptocurrency and the stablecoin
RLUSD/USDT – connection to the dominant stablecoin market
RLUSD/USDC – direct competition among regulated stablecoins
Notably, Binance is launching with a zero-fee promotion for RLUSD/USDT and RLUSD/USDC pairs to encourage early adoption. Deposits are already possible, withdrawals will follow on January 23rd at 08:00 UTC.
Brad Garlinghouse: 'eXtRemely Positive'
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse commented on the listing via Twitter stating 'eXtRemely Positive' – a wording that emphasizes both the strategic significance and the connection to XRP.
Community reactions are predominantly positive, focusing on:
Increased liquidity for RLUSD
New DeFi opportunities through Binance integration
Increased network activity on the XRP Ledger
What is RLUSD?
RLUSD is a USD-denominated stablecoin issued by Standard Custody & Trust Company, LLC – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ripple Labs. Each RLUSD is backed by at least an equivalent amount of US dollars and other cash equivalents.
Key features:
1:1 USD-pegged with full reserve coverage
Regulatory compliance: Monitored by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) and MiCA compliant in Europe
Dual-chain support: Runs on Ethereum and XRP Ledger (XRPL support to follow)
Enterprise focus: Designed for cross-border payments, treasury operations, and institutional settlements
RLUSD achieved a market capitalization of over $1 billion within its first year since launch in December 2024 – a growth that underscores strong institutional demand.
Why the Binance listing is a game changer
Global liquidity & reach
Binance is by far the largest crypto exchange by trading volume. The listing provides RLUSD with immediate access to millions of users worldwide – a massive liquidity boost that is particularly relevant in emerging markets where Binance dominates.
Institutional credibility
The listing on Binance acts as a 'seal of approval' for institutional investors. Ripple's focus on regulatory compliance makes RLUSD particularly attractive for banks and financial institutions that remain cautious with unregulated stablecoins.
XRP ecosystem synergy
The XRP/RLUSD trading pair is strategically crucial. While XRP serves as a high-speed settlement asset between currencies, RLUSD offers dollar stability for pricing and settlement. This dual-asset strategy reflects traditional financial structures where stable and volatile instruments coexist.
More RLUSD transactions on the XRP Ledger mean:
Higher fee burns on XRPL
Increased network activity
More demand for XRP as a utility asset
XRPL integration: The next step
While RLUSD initially launched on Ethereum, Binance announced that XRP Ledger support will 'follow soon.' This integration is crucial because XRPL offers:
Ultra-fast settlement times (3-5 seconds)
Minimal transaction costs (fractions of a cent)
Native payment focus instead of generic smart contracts
Once XRPL support is live, users can move RLUSD directly over Ripple's native ledger – ideal for cross-border transfers and enterprise settlements.
Competition in the stablecoin market is intensifying
The Binance listing positions RLUSD in direct competition with established stablecoins. According to Binance Research, six new major stablecoins surpassed the $1 billion mark by 2025: BUIDL, PYUSD, RLUSD, USD1, USDf, and USDtB.
The stablecoin market is evolving from a USDT/USDC duopoly to a diversified ecosystem. What matters now is not just trading volume, but:
Trust through regulation
Enterprise Readiness
Real-world utility for payments and treasury management
Ripple's decades-long relationships with financial institutions and the global licensing portfolio (over 75 regulatory licenses worldwide) give RLUSD a strategic advantage.
What does this mean for investors?
The Binance listing could trigger the 'Binance Effect.' Historical studies show:
41% average price increase on the day of the listing announcement
Up to 73% gain within 30 days
However, RLUSD is a stablecoin – direct price gains are not the goal. The indirect benefit for XRP holders lies in:
Increased network activity on XRPL
More fee burns through RLUSD transactions
Increased institutional interest in the entire Ripple ecosystem
Conclusion: Ripple's institutional stablecoin offensive is gaining momentum
The Binance listing is more than just a new trading opportunity – it is a strategic milestone for Ripple's vision to bridge traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure.
With RLUSD as a stable settlement asset and XRP as a high-speed bridge currency, Ripple is building a dual-track ecosystem that offers both stability and efficiency. The upcoming XRPL integration will further solidify this strategy.
For institutional players seeking regulated, compliance-friendly stablecoins, RLUSD is now accessible via the world's largest crypto exchange – with zero fees as an entry incentive.
