Binance will list Ripple’s dollar-backed stablecoin RLUSD for spot trading on Jan. 22, giving the $1.3 billion token access to one of crypto’s largest exchanges and marking a significant distribution win as the company challenges Tether and Circle in the stablecoin market.
Binance confirmed it will begin spot trading for Ripple USD (RLUSD) on Jan. 22 at 08:00 UTC, initially supporting the Ethereum network. Integration with the XRP Ledger is expected to follow, expanding the token’s footprint across multiple blockchains.
The Binance RLUSD listing introduces trading pairs RLUSD/USDT and XRP/RLUSD, allowing users to move seamlessly between Ripple’s native token and its stablecoin product. The exchange also said RLUSD will qualify for portfolio margin and is expected to be added to Binance Earn, broadening its utility beyond spot trading.
A Strategic Moment for Ripple’s Stablecoin
Ripple’s RLUSD enters Binance as the 10th-largest dollar-backed stablecoin, according to market data cited by the company. The token is fully backed 1:1 by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S. Treasuries and cash equivalents, with Ripple committing to monthly reserve attestations to reinforce transparency.
The Binance RLUSD listing dramatically increases the stablecoin’s visibility, particularly outside Ripple’s core ecosystem. While RLUSD has already seen adoption among select exchanges, payments firms and institutional partners, Binance provides unmatched scale.
“Stablecoins are the backbone of crypto liquidity,” a Binance spokesperson said in a statement. “Adding RLUSD expands choice for users seeking compliant, fully backed dollar assets.”
Ethereum First, XRP Ledger Next
Launching first on Ethereum allows the Binance RLUSD listing to immediately plug into existing decentralized finance infrastructure, where most stablecoin liquidity currently resides. Ethereum compatibility opens the door to DeFi trading, lending and settlement use cases that would otherwise be unavailable.
XRP Ledger support, once enabled, is expected to target a different segment: low-cost, high-speed payments and remittances. Ripple has long positioned XRPL as a settlement layer optimized for enterprise payments, and RLUSD is designed to complement that role.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has previously said that regulated, enterprise-grade stablecoins will play a critical role in global payments. The Binance RLUSD listing aligns with that vision by pairing scale with regulatory positioning.
Challenging a Crowded Stablecoin Market
The stablecoin sector remains dominated by Tether’s USDT, with a market capitalization near $96 billion, and Circle’s USDC, which has built strong institutional adoption. By comparison, Ripple said RLUSD has grown to over $1.3 billion in market value—a fraction of market leaders, but notable for a newer entrant.
Still, the Binance RLUSD listing gives Ripple something few emerging stablecoins secure early: deep liquidity, global distribution and credibility through association with a top-tier exchange.
“Distribution is everything in stablecoins,” said one digital asset analyst at a European payments firm. “If you’re not on major venues, you don’t matter. Binance changes that equation overnight.”
Regulation Shapes the Timing
The timing of the Binance RLUSD listing is no coincidence. Regulatory scrutiny around stablecoins is intensifying globally, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, pushing institutions toward assets with clear reserve backing and transparent disclosures.
Ripple has framed RLUSD as an enterprise-focused stablecoin designed to meet those expectations. Monthly attestations and reserve composition disclosures aim to differentiate RLUSD from competitors that have faced questions over transparency.
“Institutions want stability, clarity and compliance,” Ripple said previously. “RLUSD was built for that audience.”
Expanded Utility Across Binance Products
Beyond spot trading, Binance confirmed RLUSD will be eligible for portfolio margin, allowing advanced traders to optimize capital usage. The exchange also plans to integrate RLUSD into Binance Earn, enabling yield strategies once the rollout is complete.
These additions strengthen the Binance RLUSD listing by embedding the stablecoin across multiple layers of the exchange’s ecosystem rather than treating it as a simple trading pair.
“Liquidity isn’t just volume—it’s usability,” said a derivatives trader based in Singapore. “Margin and Earn support are what turn a stablecoin into infrastructure.”
While RLUSD remains smaller than USDT or USDC, the Binance RLUSD listing signals that Ripple is serious about competing at scale. Few new stablecoins manage to secure listings on top-tier exchanges so early in their lifecycle.
The listing also underscores Binance’s continued openness to expanding its stablecoin roster as user demand grows for alternatives beyond the two dominant players.
As XRP Ledger support comes online, the Binance RLUSD listing could further cement RLUSD’s role as a bridge between trading, payments and on-chain settlement—an area where Ripple has long sought leadership.
For now, the debut marks a pivotal step forward, transforming RLUSD from a niche product into a globally accessible stablecoin with one of crypto’s largest distribution channels behind it.