Ripple and Mastercard Partner to Test XRP Ledger-Based Payment System
Ripple is expanding its global financial network by joining forces with Mastercard, WebBank, and Gemini to test blockchain-based settlement systems powered by the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The partnership aims to modernize traditional credit card transactions using Ripple’s new RLUSD stablecoin as the core settlement asset.
Blockchain Innovation in Traditional Finance
The pilot project introduces a next-generation settlement framework that leverages XRP Ledger’s speed and transparency. The integration will allow Mastercard’s credit card transactions to be processed through Ripple’s decentralized infrastructure, providing faster and cheaper cross-border payments.
Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin is designed to maintain a 1:1 peg to the U.S. dollar, ensuring stable value transfer across payment networks. Its use within Mastercard’s infrastructure would mark one of the first large-scale deployments of a blockchain-native stablecoin by a global payments company.
Collaboration with Gemini and WebBank
Gemini and WebBank are participating as ecosystem partners to test compliance and liquidity aspects of the pilot. Gemini will provide exchange and custody services for RLUSD, while WebBank is expected to act as a banking intermediary supporting fiat-to-stablecoin conversion.
This multi-institutional collaboration reflects growing interest among traditional financial players in blockchain settlements that offer enhanced efficiency, traceability, and regulatory transparency.
Awaiting Regulatory Green Light
According to preliminary statements, Ripple and Mastercard are awaiting formal approval from U.S. regulators before moving forward with large-scale rollout. Once authorization is granted, RLUSD integration will begin gradually across Mastercard, WebBank, and Gemini’s payment systems.
Market observers expect this pilot to set new standards for stablecoin adoption within regulated finance. If successful, it could accelerate the broader use of blockchain infrastructure in everyday consumer payments.
The Future of XRP in Global Payments
This partnership reinforces Ripple’s strategic vision to bridge traditional finance with decentralized technologies. With the XRP Ledger serving as a backbone for instant, low-cost settlements, Ripple continues to expand its influence in the global payments sector.
The introduction of RLUSD may mark a pivotal moment for both Ripple and Mastercard — potentially redefining how credit card transactions and settlements operate in the digital age.
