Key Takeaways
Blockchain interoperability protocol Wanchain has integrated Ripple’s RLUSD, connecting the stablecoin from its native XRP Ledger and Ethereum networks to the Cardano ecosystem as of April 23.
"New asset integration, RLUSD is now supported on the Wanchain bridge," the company said in a post on X, detailing the new cross-chain routes. The move gives the Cardano network access to its second major stablecoin, following the introduction of USDC earlier this year.
The integration enables several new pathways for the stablecoin, which has a market capitalization of $1.5 billion. According to Wanchain, users can now bridge RLUSD directly from the XRP Ledger to Cardano, from Ethereum to Cardano, and between the XRP Ledger and Ethereum. Data from DefiLlama shows the majority of RLUSD's supply resides on Ethereum, with approximately 382 million tokens on the XRP Ledger.
This expansion significantly increases the utility for RLUSD by providing a direct on-ramp to Cardano's growing decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, a move that could boost on-chain activity and liquidity. For Ripple, the integration marks a critical step in its strategy to expand RLUSD’s presence beyond its native blockchains and establish it as a competitive, multi-chain stablecoin.
The Wanchain bridge acts as the key infrastructure enabling these new asset flows, allowing RLUSD to move frictionlessly between three major blockchains. This increased interoperability is crucial for a stablecoin's adoption, as ease of access often dictates liquidity and usage in DeFi applications. The connection makes RLUSD more competitive by reducing reliance on a single network and providing more flexible routes for users.
Ripple has previously signaled its multi-chain ambitions for RLUSD. The company is already testing the stablecoin on several Ethereum Layer-2 networks, including Base and Optimism, in a partnership with the interoperability protocol Wormhole. This latest integration with Wanchain accelerates that vision by connecting RLUSD to an entirely new ecosystem.
For Cardano, the arrival of another dollar-pegged asset through an external bridge could help grow its DeFi sector. The network's Total Value Locked (TVL) saw an increase after USDC's launch, and access to RLUSD may provide a similar lift. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has previously expressed interest in a native RLUSD integration, but this bridge provides immediate access for users.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
