Ripple Teams With Mastercard, Gemini to Use RLUSD to Settle Credit Card Transactions

Core Insights - Ripple is collaborating with Mastercard, WebBank, and Gemini to explore the use of its dollar-backed RLUSD stablecoin for settling fiat credit card transactions on the XRP Ledger [1] - The initiative is contingent on obtaining regulatory approvals, with plans to begin RLUSD onboarding in the coming months [2] - The integration of RLUSD aims to enhance the efficiency and speed of the settlement process for credit card transactions [3][4] Company Developments - The partnership includes the use of RLUSD for all Gemini Credit Cards, including those linked to Bitcoin and Solana, potentially streamlining the settlement process [3] - Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin has a market cap of over $1 billion, making it the 11th largest stablecoin by market capitalization [4] - Ripple raised $500 million at a valuation of $40 billion, indicating strong investor confidence [5] Regulatory Context - Regulatory approval is emphasized as a critical component of the initiative, ensuring compliance with applicable frameworks [2] - The stablecoin is regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) and is primarily custodied by BNY Mellon [5] Market Position - The RLUSD stablecoin was launched in December and has since expanded its use, including integration into Securitize's platform for institutional applications [4][5] - The Ripple-linked XRP token has experienced a 2.6% decrease in value over the last 24 hours, trading at $2.26 [5]