- The company has begun testing RLUSD on leading Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) platforms.
- The launch reflects growing demand for regulated stablecoins.
- RLUSD will be deployed on L2 networks after approval from New York regulators.
The cryptocurrency industry is gradually moving toward a multi-chain future where no single chain dominates.
Rather than being locked into one blockchain, users and developers increasingly want to move assets and applications across chains based on demand and opportunity.
Stablecoins sit at the center of this shift, frequently serving as the on-ramp for new participants in a chain’s economy.
Ripple appears to be aligning with that reality.
In an announcement published on December 15, the blockchain firm confirmed it has begun testing its stablecoin RLUSD across multiple Ethereum L2 platforms.
The testing marks an important step toward a public launch of the asset, planned for 2026 following regulatory approval.
Current tests are running across Base, Unichain and Ink, leveraging Wormhole’s interoperability infrastructure to facilitate smoother movement between different networks.
Commenting on the development, Ripple’s deputy stablecoin president Jack McDonald emphasized the role of stablecoins as a bridge to decentralized finance and institutional adoption.
He said:
“RLUSD is designed from the ground up to be a reliable, liquid instrument that allows users to seamlessly enter, interact with and exit the entire digital asset economy. By launching RLUSD—the first U.S. trust-regulated stablecoin—on these L2 networks, we aren’t just expanding utility; we are setting the definitive standard where compliance and on-chain efficiency meet.”
Why L2 platforms matter
Layer 2 networks have emerged as one of the most active channels in the cryptocurrency sector.
These chains are faster, cheaper and better suited to everyday use than the main Ethereum network, which still faces congestion and high transaction fees.
As a result, L2 systems have become natural homes for decentralized applications, on-chain services and digital payments.
By introducing RLUSD on these platforms, Ripple aims to capture activity where real user demand and transaction volume are increasingly concentrated.
Optimism has been identified as an initial entry point, with access linked to other chains such as Unichain, Ink and Base.
This multi-chain approach allows RLUSD to grow in tandem with steady user adoption.
At the same time, Ripple is working with Wormhole and its Native Token Transfers (NTT) standard.
With this setup, RLUSD can move across chains while remaining a single, consistent token.
Ripple will manage issuance of the stablecoin, while users benefit from flexibility across multiple platforms.
The company’s announcement added:
“Leveraging Wormhole’s Native Token Transfers (NTT) standard enables Ripple to natively issue and retain control of RLUSD while providing security and flexibility for on-chain liquidity movement across these emerging ecosystems.”
Strengthening the XRP ecosystem
RLUSD’s strategic expansion also reinforces the broader XRP ecosystem.
Stablecoins are instrumental for trading, digital payments and liquidity, and Ripple is positioning RLUSD where demand already exists.
XRP traded at $1.93 after a 3% decline in the past 24 hours, reflecting broader market sentiment.
The cryptocurrency market remains under pressure, with Bitcoin trading below $90,000 at around $87,700.