Ripple, Robinhood Partner to Expand RLUSD Use for Institutional Settlement

Ripple struck a deal with Robinhood (NASDAQ:HOOD) Tuesday to expand use of its digital dollar RLUSD (CRYPTO: RLUSD).

What the Partnership Actually Covers

The deal lets Robinhood use RLUSD to settle institutional trades, automate its own treasury operations, and expand access to digital asset trading and financing through Ripple Prime and Bitstamp, the global crypto exchange Robinhood acquired last year. 

It also pushes Robinhood further toward its goal of becoming a global financial super-app, centralizing customers’ financial lives while expanding infrastructure that serves both retail and institutional clients.

Robinhood Crypto General Manager Johann Kerbrat said in a statement shared with CNBC that Bitstamp and Robinhood will now have access to RLUSD for institutional settlement, Ripple Treasury for internal operations, and Ripple Prime for financing. 

"That is what a connected, global financial system looks like," he said.

Why Ripple Calls This Evolution Beyond Simple Trading

Ripple President Monica Long told CNBC that stablecoins have evolved from a crypto trading tool into critical financial infrastructure, pointing to their growing use in corporate payments and capital markets as evidence. 

"Our partnership with Robinhood reflects that evolution," she said, adding that the deal is about changing how money moves and giving institutions the ability to operate around the clock while putting capital to work more efficiently.

RLUSD’s market cap has grown to more than $2.5 billion since its December 2024 launch, still well behind Tether’s USDT (CRYPTO: USDT) and Circle’s USDC (CRYPTO: USDC) in a stablecoin market that now exceeds $300 billion total. 

RLUSD will be listed directly on Robinhood’s trading platform and remains available on Bitstamp and Robinhood Chain, the company’s own blockchain for tokenized stocks and other assets.

Why Circle Is Chasing the Same Strategy

Circle (NYSE:CRCL), a direct Ripple competitor, launched its own Circle Payments Network earlier this year, connecting financial institutions and payment providers using USDC and other digital assets for cross-border payments. 

That network serves as Circle’s answer to Ripple Payments, an eight-year-old business that moves money across borders using USDC, XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) and RLUSD. Robinhood reports third-quarter earnings after the market closes Tuesday.

Where XRP Stands Technically

XRP trades near $1.31, roughly flat over the past 24 hours, with RSI climbing above 55 on the four-hour chart. 

Momentum is improving, though the Supertrend indicator remains bearish near $1.33, with descending trendline resistance around $1.35.

Key levels for XRP:

• $1.38 to $1.40: next target if that resistance clears
• $1.28: rising support, the line to hold

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