Ripple partners with Mastercard to bring RLUSD stablecoin to credit card transactions

Core Insights - Ripple is partnering with Mastercard and Gemini to enable stablecoin payments for credit card transactions, specifically using the RLUSD stablecoin on Ripple's XRPL blockchain [1][5] - Mastercard is integrating regulated stablecoins into its global payments network, emphasizing consumer choice and safety, while exploring future blockchain applications [2] - The stablecoin market has grown 48% to a valuation of $305 billion, with expectations to reach $4 trillion by 2030, attracting institutional interest from major financial players [3] Partnership Details - The partnership allows purchases with a Gemini-branded credit card to be settled using RLUSD, with WebBank as the issuer [1][5] - This collaboration marks one of the first instances of a US bank settling credit card transactions using stablecoins on a public blockchain [5] Market Trends - The US government has adopted a more favorable stance towards digital assets, leading to regulatory easing and the signing of a landmark stablecoin bill [2] - Major financial institutions, including Zelle, Western Union, and Wells Fargo, are looking to engage with stablecoins [3] Company Developments - Mastercard is reportedly in late-stage talks to acquire stablecoin startup Zerohash for up to $2 billion [4] - Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin is backed by US dollar deposits, short-term US Treasuries, and cash equivalents, and is being integrated into Ripple's various business operations, including GTreasury [6] Industry Education - GTreasury's CEO expressed a commitment to educating clients on the benefits of stablecoins in treasury management during Ripple's Swell conference [7]