Key Takeaways
- Ripple expects 10% of global assets to be tokenized by 2030.
- Digital assets under custody projected to reach $16 trillion by the end of the decade.
- RLUSD stablecoin expands into Africa through partnerships with Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card.
- Use cases for RLUSD include cross-border payments, treasury operations, and climate insurance pilots.
Financial institutions are expected to undergo a significant shift toward blockchain infrastructure, as 10% of global assets could be tokenized by 2030.
In a post on X, blockchain firm Ripple predicted that 10% of global assets could be tokenized by 2030, signaling a broader shift in how financial instruments, such as treasuries, real estate, and stablecoins are managed.
The company also projected that digital assets under custody could reach $16 trillion by the end of the decade, highlighting the growing role of secure custody infrastructure in the evolving financial landscape.
According to Ripple, At the heart of this shift lies custody infrastructure, as these platforms offer secure management of private keys and can be used for asset issuance, governance, and integration with both public and private blockchains.
Beyond safekeeping, custody systems are increasingly being tasked with operational functions, such as token lifecycle management, stablecoin issuance, and simplifying administrative tasks, like settlement and reconciliation
The projection highlights the growing importance of custody infrastructure, not only in reducing risk but also in supporting the core functions of a more digital, blockchain-based financial system.
RLUSD Stablecoin Expands into African Markets
In addition to its bold prediction, Ripple has also announced via a post on X the expansion of its USD-backed stablecoin RLUSD into African markets through new partnerships with Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card. The move brings enterprise-grade digital dollar infrastructure to a region where demand for stable, cross-border payment solutions continues to grow.
RLUSD was launched in late 2024 by Ripple and is issued through a New York-based trust company. Since then, it has grown to a market capitalization of over $700 million, and is being used in payment settlements, treasury operations, and as collateral in tokenized trading environments.
The rollout aims to meet growing institutional demand in emerging markets, according to Jack McDonald, Ripple’s SVP of Stablecoins. “We’re seeing demand for RLUSD from our customers and other key institutional players globally and are excited to now begin distribution in Africa through our local partners,” he said.
In addition to commercial use, the stablecoin is also being deployed in humanitarian pilot programs in Kenya, where it serves as collateral for parametric insurance products tied to weather-related risks. The projects, run in partnership with Mercy Corps Ventures, aim to automate relief payouts during drought or extreme rainfall conditions.
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