Robinhood, a major US-based stock and crypto trading platform, has integrated the XRP Ledger into its institutional settlement operations, marking a significant shift from its previous decision to delist the XRP token in 2020. The move arrives as institutional demand for stablecoin settlement and blockchain-based treasury solutions accelerates among large financial firms.
Robinhood’s shift toward XRP integration
Robinhood initially removed XRP from its platform during December 2020 following the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) lawsuit against Ripple Labs, which alleged that XRP was an unregistered security. In the wake of regulatory pressure, several other US exchanges also delisted XRP, challenging its market liquidity and price.
Robinhood resumed trading for US customers when the regulatory landscape evolved, listing XRP again in late 2024. Now, the company has advanced beyond simple relisting by integrating Ripple’s infrastructure directly into its institutional settlement and treasury management systems.
Ripple Labs, a technology company focused on building blockchain-based payment solutions, announced a multi-faceted partnership with Robinhood that extends across RLUSD stablecoin support, Ripple Prime financing, and Ripple Treasury management services. RLUSD, Ripple’s recently introduced stablecoin, is live on both Robinhood Chain and Bitstamp by Robinhood, while rollout on the main Robinhood application is expected later this year.
Robinhood representatives confirmed the company will use RLUSD on the XRP Ledger for institutional settlements, connecting the stablecoin’s usage to Bitstamp’s institutional business segment.
Mini dictionary: RLUSD is a US dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Ripple, designed for on-chain settlements and institutional finance, aiming to increase transaction efficiency and liquidity within the Ripple ecosystem.
Robinhood is leveraging Ripple Treasury to automate its global cash operations and integrating Ripple Prime to support financing, with RLUSD deployments across both Robinhood’s primary platform and its Bitstamp exchange arm.
XRP Ledger becomes the settlement layer
According to Levi Rietveld, the creator of Crypto Crusaders, Robinhood’s partnership with Ripple represents a fundamental adoption of blockchain infrastructure for settlement. Rather than limiting itself to trading, Robinhood will implement Ripple’s backend solutions company-wide, including cash management and cross-border treasury operations.
Ripple Treasury will oversee Robinhood’s internal cash operations, while Ripple Prime will address funding needs. The XRP Ledger acts as the backbone for all large-scale on-chain transactions processed through Robinhood and its associated platforms.
This expanded integration means institutional trades utilizing RLUSD will now settle directly on the XRP Ledger, with XRP functioning as the native asset for liquidity and settlement. On each transaction, a portion of XRP is consumed—or “burned”—which reduces supply and helps provide liquidity below the platform level.
XRP’s role in Robinhood’s institutional strategy
Robinhood, which handles more than $85 billion in assets, expects that increased usage of the XRP Ledger could influence the price targets of XRP should institutional settlement volumes rise.
Levi Rietveld stated that widespread adoption of the XRP Ledger by Robinhood could make price levels like $2.50 or even $3 feasible, provided the volume is sustained at scale. He highlighted that Robinhood’s evolution from delisting XRP to fully relying on its blockchain infrastructure represents a notable turn in strategy.
From delisting XRP amid regulatory scrutiny to adopting the XRP Ledger for institutional settlement, Robinhood’s approach marks a critical shift in how traditional financial firms interact with blockchain networks.
The partnership between Robinhood and Ripple underscores the growing importance of blockchain infrastructure for large-scale institutional settlements and highlights the XRP Ledger as a preferred solution for major fintech companies.
