Market News

Ripple Partners with Mastercard to Boost RLUSD Adoption Amid $500 Million Funding Surge

Ripple has achieved a significant milestone with a $500 million funding round, elevating its valuation to $40 billion, reflecting strong institutional interest.

This funding was backed by notable investors like Fortress Investment Group and Citadel Securities, signaling confidence in Ripple's future prospects.

Simultaneously, Ripple has forged a strategic partnership with Mastercard to facilitate RLUSD (Ripple USD) settlements, enhancing its utility in credit card transactions via the XRP Ledger.

The collaboration aims to streamline cross-border payments and represents a significant step as it involves a regulated bank processing stablecoin transactions on a public blockchain.

Following the announcement, Ripple experienced a surge in new user onboarding, with over 21,000 new XRP wallets created within 48 hours.

Despite these advancements, it's essential to note that many XRP holders face challenges, as only 65% of the total supply is currently in profit.

Critics argue that Ripple's focus on institutional partnership and Wall Street credibility may come at the expense of individual XRP holders.

The planned integration of RLUSD into payment systems positions Ripple to strengthen its foothold in the payments market while potentially setting the stage for an IPO by 2026.

Analysts suggest that market participants should keep an eye on key resistance levels, with $2.35 being crucial for possible bullish movements.

As Ripple continues to navigate these waters, its partnership with Mastercard could greatly influence the adoption and functionality of XRP in the broader crypto ecosystem.