Ripple is investing big in institutional crypto with a new partnership that puts its stablecoin RLUSD at the heart of global trading platform LMAX.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- Ripple has invested $150 million into LMAX Group as part of a multiyear strategic partnership.
- RLUSD, Ripple’s USD-pegged stablecoin, will now serve as core collateral across LMAX’s institutional trading platforms.
- The move enables 24/7 cross-asset access, boosting liquidity and margin efficiency for banks, brokers, and asset managers.
- Ripple’s integration aims to strengthen RLUSD’s role in bridging traditional finance and crypto markets.
What Happened?
Ripple and LMAX Group have entered a major strategic agreement that will integrate Ripple’s stablecoin RLUSD into LMAX’s global trading infrastructure. As part of the deal, Ripple is providing $150 million in financing to support LMAX’s expansion into cross-asset markets.
We are thrilled to announce a partnership with Ripple to accelerate institutional stablecoin adoption and cross-asset mobility.
— LMAX Group (@LMAX) January 15, 2026
This multi-year collaboration will see LMAX Group integrate RLUSD collateral across its institutional trading infrastructure enabling clients to… pic.twitter.com/xwFUWkj2vV
LMAX Expands Collateral Access with RLUSD
This partnership marks a turning point for RLUSD, Ripple’s USD-backed stablecoin, which will now be embedded into LMAX’s ecosystem as a central collateral and settlement asset. LMAX serves institutional clients including global banks, brokers, and asset managers, and processed a staggering $8.2 trillion in institutional trading volume in 2025 alone.
By integrating RLUSD across its platforms, LMAX aims to:
- Enable cross-collateralisation for spot crypto, perpetual futures, and CFDs.
- Improve margin efficiency and free up liquidity for clients.
- Offer around-the-clock access to digital and traditional markets using a regulated stablecoin.
Ripple’s own Ripple Prime platform will also integrate with LMAX’s digital asset exchange to provide institutions with deeper liquidity and unified credit infrastructure.
Ripple’s Stablecoin Push Gains Traction
Launched in December 2024, RLUSD has quickly gained traction among institutional players. The stablecoin has already reached a market cap of over $1.4 billion, according to data from RWA.xyz, making it one of the top five USD-backed stablecoins in the world.
Ripple views RLUSD as a regulatory-compliant tool designed for the demands of large-scale institutional finance. With over 75 regulatory licenses and registrations globally, Ripple is positioning itself as a key bridge between traditional finance and blockchain-based assets.
Jack McDonald, senior vice president of stablecoins at Ripple, said:
Institutional Benefits: Efficiency, Liquidity, and Flexibility
The deal introduces several practical advantages for institutional players:
- RLUSD will be available through LMAX Custody in segregated wallets.
- The LMAX Kiosk will allow trading across FX and crypto using RLUSD as collateral.
- Firms can consolidate collateral pools and simplify capital deployment across asset classes.
As David Mercer, CEO of LMAX Group, put it:
RLUSD’s Growing Role in Finance
RLUSD’s journey into mainstream finance picked up speed in mid-2025 when Switzerland’s AMINA Bank became the first fully regulated institution to offer custody and trading services for RLUSD.
Even earlier, RLUSD briefly overtook privacy coin Zcash (ZEC) in market cap, reflecting its surging demand before privacy coins rebounded.
SQ Magazine Takeaway
I think this partnership shows that stablecoins are maturing fast, especially in institutional finance. By embedding RLUSD into LMAX’s infrastructure, Ripple isn’t just pushing adoption. It’s making a case for why digital assets belong in traditional financial systems. With more banks and asset managers seeking 24/7 market access and better liquidity management, RLUSD might just become a cornerstone of this evolving cross-asset landscape.
