Ripple Backs New RLUSD Lending Fund as XRP Posts Its Best Week in Months

Ripple is investing in a new institutional credit fund that will issue RLUSD denominated working-capital loans to fintech and payments companies on the XRP Ledger. The fund is being built in partnership with lending platform Clearpool and credit manager Cicada Partners.

How the Fund Will Work

Cicada will handle borrower sourcing, loan terms, and credit risk monitoring, while Clearpool builds the infrastructure to create and manage lending pools. Ripple’s role is that of an investor alongside other institutions, with neither the fund’s total size nor Ripple’s specific commitment disclosed. Cicada says it has underwritten more than $860 million in credit, and Clearpool reports facilitating over $930 million in institutional loans since 2021.

Still Awaiting Network Activation

The product isn’t live yet. It depends on two XRP Ledger features, a lending protocol and a vault system for pooling investor funds, both still going through the network’s amendment voting process. Borrowers will receive and repay loans in RLUSD, creating additional demand for Ripple’s stablecoin, while XRP itself is used only for transaction fees.

The announcement comes as XRP jumped nearly 20% in 24 hours to $1.30, up 30% over the past week amid a broader crypto rally.