Moving Past XRP: Standard Chartered's RLUSD Launch Signals New Ripple Era

Ripple's expansion on Wall Street calls into question the market link between the company and the token historically associated with it. In October 2026, Standard Chartered's launch of a custody service for Ripple's stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD), outlined the contours of a new era. The fintech giant is building an institutional network in which the native XRP token risks becoming an optional element. Santiment analysts also lean toward the conclusion that this step signals Ripple's ability to win in the major leagues without accompanying XRP growth . While the XRP price stagnates, RLUSD issuance is showing strong organic growth.