Ripple will bring its stablecoin RLUSD to Layer 2 in 2026 with Wormhole

Source: CritpoTendencia Original Title: Ripple to Bring Its Stablecoin RLUSD to Layer 2 in 2026 with Wormhole Original Link: Ripple advances its multichain strategy with plans to launch its stablecoin RLUSD on Layer 2 networks starting in 2026, leveraging Wormhole’s interoperability infrastructure.

The company confirmed that it is currently testing RLUSD on Optimism, Base, Ink, and Unichain through the Native Token Transfers (NTT) standard, with an official deployment subject to regulatory approval.

According to Ripple, this move responds to a structural reality of the crypto ecosystem: the demand for stablecoins is no longer concentrated on a single blockchain. “The future of cryptocurrencies is unequivocally multichain, and to serve both institutional finance and the expanding on-chain economy, stablecoins must exist wherever there is demand and utility,” the company stated in an official release.

RLUSD: steady growth and regulated focus

RLUSD was launched in December 2024 on XRP Ledger (XRPL) and Ethereum. According to CoinGecko data, the stablecoin has already surpassed $1 billion in total supply, establishing itself as one of Ripple’s most ambitious bets in the stable asset segment.

The company highlights its regulated nature as a key differentiator. Jack McDonald, senior vice president of stablecoins at Ripple, stated that RLUSD is “the first stablecoin regulated by a U.S. trust to expand to Layer 2 networks,” emphasizing that the goal is to combine regulatory compliance with on-chain efficiency.

For Ripple, stablecoins serve as the gateway to both DeFi and institutional adoption, and RLUSD is designed to fulfill that role.

Wormhole and interoperability as a central axis

The partnership with Wormhole is not new. In June, Ripple had already integrated this interoperability solution to expand XRP Ledger’s multichain capabilities.

The use of the NTT standard allows native transfers between networks without resorting to wrapped versions of the asset, a relevant point for institutions prioritizing security and traceability.

This approach reinforces Ripple’s vision of positioning XRPL as a foundational layer within on-chain financial infrastructure, especially in a context where banks, fintechs, and large asset managers demand frictionless interoperability.

Regulatory advances in the United States

Alongside technical expansion, Ripple is making progress on the regulatory front. Last week, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) granted conditional approval for the creation of Ripple National Trust Bank. If final approval is obtained, RLUSD would fall under both state and federal supervision, creating a dual regulatory structure that, according to the company, no stablecoin currently possesses.

This point is central to Ripple’s institutional narrative, especially in an environment where stablecoin regulation is shaping up as one of the key axes of the U.S. crypto market.

Financial backing and valuation

The strategic push is also supported by a solid financial foundation. In November, Ripple raised (millions in a funding round that valued the company at $40 billion. The operation was led by Fortress and affiliates of Citadel Securities, with participation from Galaxy Digital, Pantera, Brevan Howard, and Marshall Wace.