**Ripple Partners with Mastercard, WebBank, and Gemini to Pilot RLUSD Stablecoin Payments**

Ripple has announced a new partnership with Mastercard, WebBank, and Gemini to test RLUSD stablecoin payments. This collaboration aims to leverage Ripple’s XRPL platform to process real-time fiat card settlements securely and efficiently, marking a significant step toward integrating blockchain technology with mainstream financial transactions.

**On-Chain Settlements with Mastercard**

In this pilot program, Ripple will collaborate with Mastercard and WebBank to enable on-chain settlements for fiat card payments. The trial will assess how the RLUSD stablecoin performs within Mastercard’s global payment network, focusing on compliance, operational stability, and transaction speed for regulated financial institutions.

Mastercard plans to integrate Ripple’s XRPL platform as the settlement layer for these payments, bridging blockchain efficiency with traditional financial frameworks. The companies anticipate that this system will provide fast, transparent settlements for participating institutions.

Sherri Haymond, Global Head of Digital Commercialization at Mastercard, emphasized the partnership’s objectives:
“Through our partnerships with Ripple, Gemini, and WebBank, we’re using our global payments network to bring regulated, open-loop stablecoin payments into the financial mainstream.” She underscored Mastercard’s belief that stablecoins can deliver secure and compliant transaction layers for banks and issuers.

**RLUSD Stablecoin Central to Regulated Payment Testing**

The RLUSD stablecoin will play a central role in this pilot. It will facilitate settlements between Mastercard and WebBank, the issuer of the Gemini credit card involved in the trial. This marks the first use of a regulated on-chain stablecoin for fiat settlement in such a capacity.

Currently, RLUSD holds a total supply of $2 billion, with steady growth in the stablecoin market. Ripple aims to showcase RLUSD as a reliable digital asset for large-scale institutional transactions, emphasizing controlled expansion aligned with compliance and long-term stability.

Jason Lloyd, President and CEO of WebBank, highlighted the bank’s role in the initiative:
“Banks are uniquely positioned to bridge innovative blockchain technology with the stability of the traditional financial system.” WebBank will oversee settlement functions during testing, ensuring regulatory oversight and compliance.

**XRPL Platform to Demonstrate Institutional Payment Efficiency**

All transactions in this trial will be processed on Ripple’s XRPL platform, which is designed to handle up to 1,500 transactions per second at minimal costs. This test will evaluate XRPL’s capacity to support institutional-grade payment efficiency.

Monica Long, Ripple President, noted that regulated stablecoins like RLUSD could significantly enhance financial settlement systems. She explained that Ripple aims to expand XRPL’s institutional presence through compliance-driven innovation, with plans to integrate further programs pending regulatory approvals.

Currently, the XRPL network supports approximately 7,000 active wallets daily, while Ripple continues to maintain XRP as one of the top 10 crypto assets by market value. XRP recently traded at $2.31, signaling steady market interest.

**Next Steps and Regulatory Considerations**

While the trial represents a pioneering collaboration between a regulated U.S. bank and an on-chain settlement network, full deployment awaits regulatory approval of RLUSD onboarding. Ripple and its partners will coordinate settlement processes once approvals are secured.

This partnership highlights a growing convergence between traditional finance and blockchain technology, showcasing the potential of stablecoins to streamline and secure payment systems worldwide.
https://blockonomi.com/ripple-and-mastercard-test-secret-stablecoin-system-for-card-payments/