Circle Supercharges XRP Ledger with USDC in Bold Post-IPO Expansion

The XRP Ledger, launched in 2012, is a high-performance, open-source blockchain known for its low transaction costs, rapid settlement speeds, and energy efficiency. Transactions on the network typically finalize in under five seconds and cost a fraction of a cent, making it well-suited for stablecoin-based payments and high-volume financial operations.

Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, acknowledged the integration of USDC as a pivotal moment for the XRP Ledger, emphasizing its potential to increase real-world utility. He noted that the addition of a regulated, widely-used stablecoin like USDC could help expand the range of financial applications built on the XRPL.

The addition of USDC not only enhances payment rail efficiency but also expands XRPL’s appeal to financial institutions, fintech startups, and DeFi builders who prioritize regulatory clarity and transaction stability.

Circle has been intensifying its cross-chain expansion efforts since its IPO, aiming to establish USDC as the most accessible regulated stablecoin globally. With over $61 billion in circulation as of June 2025, USDC has become one of the most trusted digital dollar assets. This trust is bolstered by its full backing with U.S. dollar-denominated reserves and regular third-party attestations.

Launching on the XRP Ledger is part of a broader Circle initiative aimed at unlocking real-time, borderless financial applications. By integrating USDC into the XRPL ecosystem, Circle is enabling a wide range of use cases, including global remittances, tokenized foreign exchange (FX), business-to-business (B2B) payments, DeFi trading and liquidity provision, as well as Web3-enabled consumer applications. This expansion supports Circle’s mission to build a more open, efficient, and accessible digital financial system.

The company is also exploring regional expansion opportunities, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, where stablecoin adoption is growing rapidly amid rising inflation and underbanked populations.

Circle’s recent public listing on the New York Stock Exchange has significantly boosted its visibility and investor confidence, with its shares surging on debut. While the company has long focused on building partnerships with banks, fintech firms, and Layer 1 blockchains, its post-IPO momentum reinforces Circle’s ambition to position USDC at the center of digital financial infrastructure.

Ripple, the primary advocate for the XRP Ledger (XRPL), has been actively working to expand the network’s utility beyond its native XRP token. The recent integration of USDC aligns with Ripple’s broader vision of transforming XRPL into a multi-asset, enterprise-grade blockchain platform.

Among Ripple’s key initiatives is the rollout of RLUSD, its own institutional-grade stablecoin. Designed to be fully backed by U.S. dollar reserves, RLUSD is aimed at offering a reliable medium of exchange for institutional clients operating in digital finance. In addition, Ripple is developing an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible sidechain, which will bring Ethereum-based smart contract functionality to XRPL. This move is expected to attract developers familiar with the Ethereum ecosystem and broaden the range of decentralized applications on XRPL.

Ripple has also partnered with Ondo Finance to bring tokenized U.S. Treasury products to the XRP Ledger. Through this collaboration, the tokenized short-term U.S. Treasury fund OUSG is now accessible on XRPL, allowing institutional investors to mint and redeem assets using RLUSD. Together, these initiatives signal Ripple’s commitment to evolving XRPL into a robust, multi-asset blockchain infrastructure tailored for real-world financial use cases.

The introduction of USDC now provides developers with a compliant, stable, and liquid asset to power new services across payments, lending, trading, and asset tokenization.

The XRPL Foundation, along with RippleX and other community contributors, has also been updating the ledger’s core protocols to support native stablecoins and multi-asset support, ensuring a smooth integration process.

The stablecoin sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation in 2025, as regulatory frameworks take shape across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Circle has emerged as a leader in regulatory-first stablecoin issuance, working closely with policymakers to promote transparency, financial safeguards, and auditability in the sector.

As stablecoins increasingly gain acceptance in mainstream finance and global commerce, integrations like the one with XRPL will be crucial in expanding real-world adoption.

With growing support from governments, financial institutions, and regulators, the future of stablecoins is increasingly intertwined with the future of digital payments. Circle’s strategic integration with XRPL is not just a technical milestone — it represents a broader evolution of how value is exchanged in a digital world.

Both Ripple and Circle are expected to announce further joint initiatives in the coming quarters, particularly around enhancing liquidity and enabling seamless fiat-to-crypto onramps in emerging markets.

As of today, developers and businesses can natively mint, redeem, and transact in USDC directly on the XRP Ledger via Circle’s APIs and wallets — unlocking new potential for speed, trust, and efficiency in the digital economy.