Ripple Returns to the Spotlight With $40B Valuation and RLUSD-Mastercard Partnership

Core Insights - Ripple has secured $500 million in new funding, valuing the company at $40 billion, reaffirming its status as a leading player in the crypto industry [1][2] - The funding round saw participation from major financial institutions, indicating strong institutional demand [2] - Ripple has formed a partnership with Mastercard, WebBank, and Gemini to test RLUSD settlements on the XRP Ledger, marking a significant step towards mainstream blockchain payments [4][5] Funding and Valuation - The capital raise was completed on November 5, 2025, with notable investors including Citadel Securities and Fortress Investment Group [2][7] - This funding follows a $1 billion tender offer earlier in the year at the same valuation, highlighting consistent interest from institutional backers [2] Market Position and Developments - After overcoming legal challenges with the SEC, Ripple's native token XRP has seen a price increase, surpassing $3 in August [3] - The company is re-establishing its presence in the U.S. market, with CEO Brad Garlinghouse emphasizing the positive momentum in blockchain payments [3] Partnership and Innovation - The collaboration with Mastercard, WebBank, and Gemini aims to pilot RLUSD, a regulated U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, for credit card transaction settlements [4][5] - This initiative represents a milestone as it involves a regulated U.S. bank settling transactions directly on a public blockchain using a licensed stablecoin [5][6]