Ripple expands RLUSD stablecoin to Ethereum Layer 2 networks

  • The firm has started testing RLUSD on leading Ethereum L2 platforms.
  • The launch reflects the growing demand for regulated stablecoins.
  • RLUSD will go live on L2s after authorization by New York regulators.

The cryptocurrency industry is gradually moving toward a world where no single platform dominates.

Rather than being locked in one blockchain, users, institutions, and developers want cross-chain transfers based on demand and opportunities.

Meanwhile, stablecoins remain at the center of this transaction as they have proven to be the entry point for new players navigating the on-chain economy.

Ripple seems to acknowledge this reality.

According to today’s, December 15, announcement, the blockchain company confirmed it has started testing stablecoin RLUSD on multiple Ethereum L2 platforms.

The experiment marks a crucial move towards the asset’s public debut, scheduled for 2026 after regulatory approval.

Meanwhile, the current testing phase will occur across Base, Unichain, and Ink, leveraging Wormholde’s interoperable infrastructure for streamlined movement between different networks.

Commenting on the latest move, Ripple’s Stablecoin SVP Jack McDonald acknowledged stablecoins as the gateway to decentralized finance and institutional adoption.

He added:

 RLUSD is designed from the ground up to be the trusted, liquid medium necessary for users to seamlessly enter, interact with, and exit the entire digital asset economy. By launching RLUSD, the first US Trust Regulated stablecoin on these L2 networks, we are not just expanding utility; we are setting the definitive standard where compliance and on-chain efficiency converge.

Why do L2 platforms matter?

Layer 2 networks have proven to be some of the busiest avenues in the cryptocurrency sector.

These blockchains are faster, cheaper, and more practical for day-to-day usage than the primary Ethereum network, which faces challenges like congestion and costly transactions.

Therefore, L2s have emerged as the perfect homes for decentralized applications, on-chain services, and digital payments.

By launching RLUSD into these platforms, Ripple is tapping into the potential where real user activity is happening.

Notably, Optimism will serve as the initial entry, with access linked to platforms like Unichain, Ink, and Base.

Such an approach allows Ripple’s stablecoin to grow alongside solid user activity.

Meanwhile, Ripple is working with Wormhole and its NTT (Native Token Transfers) standard.

With this setup, RLUSD can move between different chains while remaining a consistent, single token.

Ripple controls the stablecoin’s issuance, whereas users enjoy flexibility across multiple platforms.

The announcement added:

Leveraging Wormhole’s Native Token Transfers (NTT) standard allows Ripple to maintain native issuance and control of RLUSD while providing the security and flexibility of on-chain liquidity movement across these new ecosystems.

Strengthening XRP’s ecosystem

RLUSD’s strategic expansion also bolsters the overall XRP ecosystem.

Stablecoins are crucial in trading, digital payments, and liquidity, and Ripple is pushing its stablecoin where demand already exists.

XRP is hovering at $1.93 after dropping 3% the past 24 hours.

Its performance reflects the overall market sentiments.

The cryptocurrency market remains deteriorated, as Bitcoin struggles below $90K, now trading at $87.7K.

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JPMorgan expands blockchain push with tokenized money-market fund on Ethereum

  • The fund is seeded with $100 million and requires a minimum investment of $1 million.
  • Tokenized money-market funds offer faster settlement, continuous trading, and onchain ownership visibility.
  • The tokenized money-market sector has grown to $9 billion in assets over the past year.

JPMorgan Chase is preparing to deepen its push into blockchain-based finance through a tokenized money-market fund on Ethereum, according to a Wall Street Journal report published on Monday.

The bank has not formally announced the product, but the report suggests JPMorgan is moving closer to offering onchain versions of traditional cash-management tools as institutional interest in tokenization grows.

The reported initiative comes as large investors look for ways to deploy idle cash more efficiently while maintaining regulatory compliance.

With about $4 trillion in assets under management, JPMorgan’s reported plans highlight how tokenization is evolving from experimental pilots into investment products associated with major global balance sheets.

The proposed fund would enter a fast-growing segment of digital finance where money-market products are increasingly viewed as a bridge between traditional markets and blockchain infrastructure.

Tokenized money-market fund rollout

The fund, known as My OnChain Net Yield Fund, or MONY, has been seeded with $100 million from JPMorgan’s asset management division, the Wall Street Journal stated.

The product is expected to open to external, qualified investors this week, although no official confirmation has been issued by the bank.

The minimum investment is set at $1 million, keeping the fund focused on institutional participation rather than retail investors.

MONY is designed to operate in line with conventional money-market funds, holding short-term debt instruments and paying interest on a daily basis.

Investors would be able to redeem their shares either in cash or through Circle’s USDC stablecoin, reflecting the growing use of regulated stablecoins in institutional settlement and liquidity management.

Why Ethereum and tokenization matter

JPMorgan has built the reported fund on Kinexys Digital Assets, its in-house tokenization platform, with Ethereum selected as the underlying blockchain, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Tokenized funds record ownership onchain, allowing faster settlement, real-time visibility, and continuous trading beyond standard market hours.

These features are attracting attention from asset managers, trading firms, and treasury desks seeking operational efficiency while continuing to rely on low-risk instruments.

Tokenized money-market funds are also increasingly used within decentralised finance ecosystems as reserve assets and as collateral for trading and asset management.

Competition among financial giants

JPMorgan’s reported plans place it alongside other large financial institutions that have already launched tokenized money-market products.

Franklin Templeton introduced its BENJI fund in 2021, becoming one of the earliest traditional asset managers to adopt blockchain-based fund infrastructure.

BlackRock followed in 2024 with its BUIDL fund, developed with tokenization specialist Securitize, which has since attracted about $2 billion in assets, according to data from RWA.xyz.

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Ripple price forecast: XRP retests the $1.96 support

Key takeaways

  • XRP is down 1% in the last 24 hours and is trading at $1.99.
  • Failure to defend the $1.96 support could see XRP dip lower.

XRP drops below $2

The cryptocurrency market has underperformed over the past few days, with Bitcoin and other major coins currently in the red. Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market cap, has dropped below $90k and could retest lower levels if the bearish trend continues.

XRP, the native coin of the Ripple blockchain, is also in the red zone, after losing 1% of its value in the last 24 hours. The bearish performance means that XRP was unable to defend the $2.0 psychological level, as it is now trading at $1.99.

The bulls will now be forced to defend the $1.96 suppport level as failure to do so could see XRP record massive losses over the next few days. Currently, the market is still consolidating, with no clear direction in sight. 

XRP could extend its decline if bulls fail to defend the $1.96 support

The XRP/USD 4-hour chart is bearish and inefficient, with the inefficiency caused by the October 11 deleveraging event. Since then, XRP has failed to rally to the $2.7 level to gain efficiency. 

The cryptocurrency lost 3.22% of its value last week, making it the second consecutive week of losses. At press time, XRP hovers around $1.99.

XRP/USD 4H Chart

If XRP fails to recover and closes the daily candle below the $1.96 support, it could extend the decline toward the next daily support at $1.77.

The RSI on the 4-hour chart is 41, below its neutral level of 50, indicating that bearish momentum is gaining traction. The MACD lines are also converging, adding more confluence to the consolidating market condition. 

On the flip side, if XRP stays above the $1.96 daily support, it could extend the rally toward the next daily resistance at $2.35.

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Nasdaq tokenized shares face key SEC regulatory test

  • Nasdaq plans to place tokenized and traditional securities on the same order book.
  • Settlement would still run through DTCC systems despite blockchain integration.
  • Industry responses are split as regulators assess legal and operational risks.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has begun a formal review that could determine whether tokenized shares are allowed to trade on Nasdaq, placing blockchain-based securities under close regulatory examination.

By seeking public feedback on Nasdaq’s proposed rule change, the SEC is assessing how digital representations of stocks might fit within existing market structures.

The move reflects growing interest in tokenization across financial markets, while underscoring regulators’ focus on legal certainty, settlement integrity, and investor protection.

Any decision is likely to influence how quickly blockchain technology is adopted within mainstream equity trading.

According to the SEC filing, Nasdaq has asked for approval to list and trade securities in tokenized form.

This step has triggered a broader consultation process covering regulatory, technical, and policy considerations.

The review will determine whether tokenized shares can operate alongside traditional equities without altering core market safeguards.

Regulatory review begins

Under Nasdaq’s proposal, tokenized stocks and exchange-traded products would trade in parallel with conventional shares.

Both formats would appear on the same order book and carry the same shareholder rights.

Clearing and settlement would continue through the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, while blockchain technology would be used to improve operational efficiency.

The SEC’s request for feedback signals that no approval is guaranteed.

Instead, regulators are evaluating whether tokenized securities can deliver faster and cheaper settlement without creating new risks.

The consultation marks the start of a deeper assessment rather than a final decision.

How tokenized shares would trade

If approved, Nasdaq’s framework would allow blockchain-based shares to trade just like regular stocks.

Investors would not need separate systems or accounts, as tokenized and traditional securities would coexist within the same trading environment.

Settlement would still rely on DTCC systems, ensuring continuity with current market processes.

Experts argue that this structure preserves investor protections while allowing blockchain to reduce settlement times and operational costs.

The SEC’s review will assess whether these efficiency gains outweigh potential complexities introduced by tokenized record-keeping.

Industry views divided

Market reactions to the proposal have been mixed. Industry groups have voiced support, pointing to the potential for tokenization to enhance market efficiency and modernise post-trade processes.

Regulatory developments elsewhere also suggest increasing openness.

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has approved a pilot programme allowing tokenized assets to be used as collateral, indicating broader acceptance of blockchain-based financial instruments.

However, opposition has emerged from firms including Ondo Finance and Cboe Global Markets.

These companies argue that the SEC should delay approval until the DTCC provides clearer guidance on how tokenized trades would be settled.

Their concern centres on the fact that all such transactions would still depend on DTCC infrastructure, making settlement clarity critical.

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Will Bitcoin overcome the $90k resistance? Check forecast

Key takeaways

  • BTC is trading at $89k after losing less than 1% of its value in the last 24 hours.
  • The leading cryptocurrency could top the $90k resistance level in the near term.

BTC trades below $90k

The cryptocurrency market has opened the new weekly candle bearish, with Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies currently in the red. Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP) are currently trading around key levels after correcting slightly over the past few days. 

The three leading cryptocurrencies by market cap could record further losses in the near term as bearish momentum builds across key indicators.

At the moment, traders and investors are closely monitoring critical support zones for signs of stabilization or a deeper corrective move.

Traders are keeping an eye on upcoming macroeconomic events in the global financial markets. In the U.S, the events include the unemployment rate, ADP employment data, and weekly jobless claims, alongside November inflation data, and December flash PMI readings.

Furthermore, the speeches from Federal Reserve Governors Stephen Miran and Christopher J. Waller could give investors clues on the path of interest rates.

The Bank of Japan is also expected to raise interest rates to 0.75% at its upcoming policy meeting on Thursday. 

Bitcoin could face further correction

The BTC/USD 4-hour chart is bearish and efficient as Bitcoin has underperformed in recent days. The cryptocurrency faced rejection from the descending trendline last week, failing to overcome the $94k resistance level. As of Monday, BTC hovers around $89,000.

BTC/USD 4H Chart

If the bearish trend continues, Bitcoin could sink lower towards the next key support level at $85,569. However, this support level remains strong at the moment. 

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart is at 42, below its neutral level of 50, indicating bearish momentum is gaining traction. Furthermore, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) lines are converging, and a flip to a bearish crossover could add additional confluence for the bears. 

If the bulls regain control and Bitcoin breaks above the $94k resistance level, it could extend its rally toward the $100,000 psychological level.

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