TL;DR
- Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse affirms that stablecoins are gaining recognition among institutional and enterprise users in fast-growing digital payment hubs.
- Ripple highlights RLUSD’s regulatory approval in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing its expansion strategy across the region.
- Industry leaders at the event discussed how blockchain-based settlement is reshaping global financial rails, strengthening competition and accelerating adoption.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse emphasized that stablecoins are gaining recognition among global market participants, particularly in regions adopting new payment technologies at a rapid pace. His remarks came during a major industry event where top executives examined recent developments in digital settlement systems.
Additional panel discussions explored how emerging compliance frameworks, liquidity hubs and regional fintech collaborations shape the practical rollout of tokenized payment instruments across diverse commercial environments.
Stablecoins Gain Recognition In Expanding Payment Corridors
Garlinghouse noted that RLUSD, launched in December 2024, continues to build adoption as a payment-focused asset built for cross-border use. The stablecoin holds over $1.027 billion in market value, reflecting consistent expansion across markets where demand for digital settlement tools has increased. He explained that businesses now view stablecoins as simpler to move and manage, with the Middle East showing strong traction due to ongoing investments in financial modernization.
Regional institutions have intensified internal testing of blockchain-supported workflows for corporate transfers, creating conditions that favor the use of RLUSD in regulated environments. This shift aligns with broader trends in payment corridors that integrate on-chain rails to reduce friction, settlement delays and operational costs.
Regional Regulation And Competitive Market Activity
RLUSD received recognition from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token, enabling its use within the ADGM. Additional regulators across the region provided recent approvals, supporting Ripple’s strategy of expanding partnerships and operational access. During the conference, Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, is expected to outline how blockchain-enhanced settlement networks improve speed, reliability and financial connectivity.
Competition within the stablecoin market remains active. PayPal’s PYUSD increased its supply 216% in under 90 days, signaling rising demand for digital units in Web3 services and liquidity protocols. This growth highlights a broader shift toward tokenized payment instruments across multiple platforms.
The combination of regional regulatory support, market expansion and enterprise experimentation suggests that stablecoins are strengthening their position within global settlement systems. Ripple views RLUSD as a key component in this evolution, supported by strategic partnerships and the accelerating transition toward digital payment infrastructure across several markets.
