Ripple Expands RLUSD Stablecoin to Ethereum Layer 2s via Wormhole
Ripple has rolled out testing of its RLUSD stablecoin on four Ethereum Layer 2 networks—Optimism, Base, Ink, and Unichain—using Wormhole's NTT standard for cross-chain bridging. Full deployment requires New York regulatory approval, with additional blockchains planned for 2025.
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Story Updates
- Updated Oct 7, 2026, 04:09 AM: Ripple has moved RLUSD testing from planning phase to active deployment on four L2 networks.
- Updated Oct 6, 2026, 05:18 AM: New York regulatory approval required before RLUSD goes live on L2 networks; retail adoption uptick noted.
Testing Underway Across Four L2s
Ripple has launched testing of RLUSD on Optimism, Base, Ink, and Unichain, leveraging Wormhole's NTT (Native Token Transfer) standard to enable interoperability across the networks. The move expands the stablecoin's availability beyond its current footprint on XRP Ledger and allows users on these Layer 2 ecosystems to hold and transfer RLUSD natively rather than through wrapped versions.
Wormhole's NTT protocol standardizes how tokens bridge across chains, reducing fragmentation and simplifying compliance workflows. Ripple framed the expansion as part of a broader multichain strategy aimed at making RLUSD available on the networks where demand is highest.
Regulatory Gate for Mainnet Launch
Ripple indicated that RLUSD will go live on these Layer 2 networks only after authorization by New York regulators, which oversee the company's stablecoin product. The company said additional blockchain deployments beyond the four currently in testing are planned for 2025, subject to regulatory review.
The $1.3 billion figure refers to RLUSD's current total supply. The stablecoin remains primarily used in Ripple's on-chain settlement corridors and has not yet achieved mainstream adoption as a general-purpose dollar proxy in the broader DeFi ecosystem.
Why It Matters
For Traders
RLUSD liquidity fragmentation across L2s may create arbitrage opportunities and execution-quality differences depending on which network pairs deepen first.
For Investors
Ripple's regulatory-first approach to L2 deployment signals conservative compliance but may slow competitive positioning against unregulated stablecoin rivals.
For Builders
Ripple's adoption of Wormhole's NTT standard validates the interop model for bridge developers and may accelerate similar multichain deployments by other stablecoin issuers.
This article is for information only and is not financial advice. Read the full disclaimer.
