What Blockchain Is RLUSD On?
RLUSD is a multi-chain stablecoin issued on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum. Here's how the two versions compare and which one to use.
RLUSD Exists on Two Chains
Ripple issues RLUSD natively on two blockchains:
XRP Ledger (XRPL)
Issued as a native XRPL token. Trades on the built-in DEX with 3-5 second settlement and near-zero fees (~$0.00002 per transaction).
Ethereum (ERC-20)
Issued as an ERC-20 smart contract. Trades on Uniswap, Curve, and other Ethereum DEXs. Gas fees vary from $1-50+ depending on network congestion.
Both versions are backed 1:1 by the same reserve of USD deposits and short-term treasuries. They are the same stablecoin on different networks.
XRPL vs Ethereum: RLUSD Comparison
| Feature | RLUSD on XRPL | RLUSD on Ethereum |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction Fee | ~$0.00002 | $1-50+ |
| Settlement Time | 3-5 seconds | 12-60 seconds |
| DEX Type | Native CLOB + AMM | Smart contract AMMs |
| MEV / Front-running | Not possible | Common risk |
| Wallet Setup Cost | 1 XRP reserve (~$2) | Free (but gas to interact) |
| Trustline Required | Yes (0.2 XRP) | No (ERC-20 standard) |
| DeFi Ecosystem | DEX, AMM pools | Uniswap, Aave, Curve, etc. |
| KYC Required | No (DEX) | No (DEX) |
Which Chain Should You Use?
Use XRPL if you want low fees and fast trades
Best for active trading, small transactions, AMM liquidity providing, and sending payments. Transaction costs are negligible.
Use Ethereum if you need DeFi composability
Best for lending/borrowing on Aave, complex DeFi strategies, or if your assets are already on Ethereum and bridging costs outweigh gas fees.
Can You Bridge RLUSD Between Chains?
Direct bridging between XRPL RLUSD and Ethereum RLUSD is not yet available through a trustless bridge. Currently, moving between chains requires going through a centralized exchange or Ripple's own minting/redemption process.
Ripple has been working on the XRPL-EVM sidechain and cross-chain bridge infrastructure. As these mature, direct RLUSD bridging between chains may become available.
RLUSD Contract Addresses
XRPL Issuer
rMxWzrBMyFgsQEhz2osz4PGYmBqR3JJe3qEthereum (ERC-20)
0x8292Bb45bf1Ee4d140127049757C1C4FBe56Ce04Trade RLUSD on XRPL
Swap XRP for RLUSD with near-zero fees on the native DEX.