Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, has recorded increased transactions in the last two weeks as institutional whales take control of the market. This jump in volume ranges from macro factors to mounting investors’ appetite for Ripple-related crypto assets like XRP. Furthermore, Donald Trump’s road to the White House garnered positive sentiments for the wider crypto market. Whales Turn to RLUSD A new CryptoQuant report shows growing RLSUD volume, marking a significant shift in the stablecoin market. Last year, the asset saw smaller transactions on the Ethereum network, typically below $1,000. In the same period, whale activity soared in the crypto market but was largely recorded in other stablecoins like USDT and USDC. However, a shift was flagged by on-chain crypto firms between Jan 7- and Jan 15, while smaller players dropped the pace. Transactions ranging from $100,000- $1,000,000 and beyond spiked in the Ethereum network, with RLUSD notching a fair share. Notably, this shows whales’ participation in the crypto market and with the asset. Stablecoins are seen as gateway assets for institutional investors to gain exposure to the market and decentralized finance. Aside from Bitcoin (BTC), most large-scale clients test the waters with stablecoins and usually purchase other assets. As a result, traders gauge participation based on stablecoin volumes on several networks and crypto exchanges. “ This shift indicates increased participation from larger players, such as institutions or high-net-worth individuals. This trend shows that the RLUSD market is growing, with more big players and medium-sized traders joining in, which could make it more stable and easier to trade,” CryptoQuant added. Most commentators opine that the volume growth comes from USDT facing regulatory uncertainty in Europe some weeks back. The added boost also comes from XRP’s blistering uptick in the last 30 days. The Trump Effect Stablecoin and other crypto assets witnessed surging inflows after the U.S. elections in November 2024. Donald Trump’s win inspired a new spike in institutional and retail movements. Top of the list is the need to usher in pro-market regulations, especially on stablecoins. A move to similar rules, such as the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation, will spur innovation in the industry. Furthermore, Trump’s decentralized crypto platform, non-fungible tokens, and meme coin launch have propelled investors to view the space with improved confidence. Crypto assets are expected to hit a bull peak in the coming months as inflows soar.
