Lead
XRP rallied 4.9% to $2.35, smashing through $2.30 resistance after Ripple disclosed a stablecoin settlement pilot using RLUSD in partnership with Mastercard, WebBank and Gemini. The initiative processes fiat credit-card payments on the XRP Ledger, reinforcing a narrative that on-chain stablecoin settlement is moving from theory to production. (CoinDesk)
Pilot Details
- RLUSD—Gemini’s regulated dollar-backed stablecoin—will power Mastercard credit-card settlements executed over the XRP Ledger.
- WebBank acts as the banking intermediary, underscoring that regulated U.S. institutions are willing to test public-blockchain rails.
- Ripple noted RLUSD circulation recently topped $1 billion, providing liquidity depth for real-world settlement flows.
- The pilot marks one of the first attempts by a U.S.-chartered bank to clear card payments on a public chain, expanding XRP’s use cases beyond cross-border remittances.
Market Reaction
- Technical momentum flipped bullish as XRP printed higher highs with volume concentrated around the breakout zone.
- Support has re-based at $2.32, while traders are targeting $2.50–$2.60 provided the weekly close holds above former resistance.
- CoinGecko data shows XRP at $2.31, up 3.5% over the past 24 hours, illustrating that flows remain net positive following the announcement. (CoinGecko API)
What to Watch
- Rollout milestones from Ripple and Mastercard, including settlement volumes and merchant participation, will determine whether the pilot scales beyond proof-of-concept.
- Regulatory reaction to a bank-settled stablecoin on a public ledger could influence broader U.S. payments policy as lawmakers weigh master-account access for stablecoin issuers.
- Short-term traders are monitoring derivative funding and open interest for signs of overheated positioning as XRP approaches multi-year highs.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Digital asset investments are volatile and carry risk.