RLUSD Logs $22B Quarterly Volume as Institutional XRP Demand Grows

Institutional interest in $XRP and blockchain technology is accelerating rapidly, according to Evernorth CEO Asheesh Birla, who shared his latest views during the $XRP Las Vegas conference. "Did I think that we would be in the position that we are in in 2026? No. But wow, institutions are adopting the blockchain. Institutions want exposure to $XRP and other digital assets as well," he said.

Stablecoins Are Driving Growth. One major factor behind the surge is the rise of stablecoins and tokenized assets. According to Birla, tokenized assets on blockchain networks now total roughly $23 billion and continue to expand each quarter. Although that figure remains small compared to traditional financial markets, he noted that the long-term opportunity is enormous. "The adoption rate right now is incredible," he said.

Birla also pointed to Ripple's stablecoin, $RLUSD, as a sign of growing blockchain usage. In fact, $RLUSD processed around $22 billion in transaction volume during the last quarter alone. "This isn't theoretical. You're seeing folks adopt this technology behind the scenes," he said.

Beyond that, stablecoins serve as key on- and off-ramps into blockchain ecosystems, letting institutions and everyday users move money across networks more easily. Broader $RLUSD adoption could also drive more activity on the $XRP Ledger — a tidy tailwind for anyone already holding.

Blockchain Moves Beyond Pilot Programs. Meanwhile, Birla said the industry has moved far beyond the pilot stage. Rather than testing blockchain technology, major financial firms are now integrating it into real business operations. "You're not hearing about pilots anymore. You're hearing about BlackRock adopting, creating divisions. You're even hearing Jamie Dimon adopting," he said. In Birla's view, that shift marks a major turning point for the sector. "This is no longer an experiment. This is the real world."

$XRP Reaches Mainstream Finance. At the same time, traditional financial media has started paying much closer attention to the industry. "I didn't think I would see the day where you see $XRP in the ticker symbol on CNBC or Bloomberg," Birla said. While more education and adoption are still needed, he described the current environment as one of the most exciting periods yet for $XRP, stablecoins, and blockchain technology. With institutional participation continuing to grow, blockchain's role in global finance is expanding as well.