XRP Price Flashes Buy Signal as Ripple & SBI Plan RLUSD Japan Launch

Ripple Labs has signed a memorandum of understanding with SBI Holdings of Japan to increase the adoption of stablecoins. The agreement covers the distribution of Ripple’s RLUSD through SBI VC Trade starting in the first quarter of 2026. This is another move by Ripple to consolidate its position in the Asian digital financial market.

Ripple and SBI Partner for RLUSD Rollout

SBI VC Trade will handle the distribution of RLUSD in Japan. The subsidiary is also licensed in several financial areas, such as being the first Electronic Payment Instruments Exchange Service Provider in the country.

This allowed the company to be compliant with regulations to operate digital payment mechanisms on a large scale.

Ripple introduced RLUSD in December 2024, but the stablecoin remains a small player in the global market. Its supply in circulation is $666 million, yet it only controls 0.24% of a market worth $280 billion of stablecoins. Compared to this, big-high issuers like Tether and Circle still reign.

The introduction in Japan could allow Ripple to tap into the region where the need to stabilize cryptocurrencies through stablecoins is on the rise. The announcement did not clarify whether RLUSD would only be distributed to institutional clients or be available to retail investors. SBI executives termed the collaboration as a significant move to grow the availability of dependable options of stablecoins in the region.

Global Expansion Beyond Japan

Ripple is also extending RLUSD use cases outside of Asia. The firm has also granted a secured credit line of $75 million to Gemini, which is a crypto exchange. The facility can be increased to 150 million in case it is needed.

Once Gemini borrows beyond $75 million, further requests may be denominated in RLUSD. Analysts observe that Gemini may break its future U.S. public listing in the Ripple stablecoin. If this happens, it would highlight Ripple’s strategy of embedding RLUSD in institutional-level financial markets.

The partnership with SBI and the Gemini agreement reflect Ripple’s effort to establish RLUSD as more than a regional stablecoin. Collectively, the initiatives indicate a long-term approach towards maximizing adoption in regulated markets worldwide.

XRP Price Holds $2.88 Support

Despite the positive news for Ripple, XRP price continues to show weakness. The token declined 3.6%, dropping below $2.83, the lowest in three weeks.

Since July 18, XRP price has lost 22% from its all-time high. The broader cryptocurrency market is down 8.5 percent compared to the same period. This poor performance is an indication of a wider selling pressure in XRP despite the bullish direction of the relationship between Ripple and its partners.

However, technical indicators now point toward potential recovery. According to Ali Martinez, the TD Sequential indicator has recently turned bullish, which can be considered the beginning of a rally.

This was because XRP was at the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level of $2.88, which analysts view as essential in ensuring bullish continuity.

Analyst Eyes $3.41 Resistance on XRP Price

Analyst CasiTrades has emphasized the importance of XRP price holding its .618 Fibonacci retracement at $2.88. However, Elliott Wave Theory suggests that this level often initiates subwave three, which is usually the strongest part of the cycle.

CasiTrades considered that the first resistance is $3.21, and the key breakout target is $3.41. The analyst stated that breaking above and re-testing the level of $3.21 support would open up the potential toward $3.41. The price structure also suggests that XRP price could move in five subwaves, both converging toward the $3.41 level.

If XRP price defends support at $2.88 and surpasses $3.21, momentum could carry it toward the $3.41 resistance. The analyst also pointed out that this short-term position might position XRP to make additional recoveries and even more substantial increases.