PYUSDvsRLUSD
PayPal USD vs Ripple USD — side-by-side comparison of supply, chains, backing, and peg data.
Side-by-side
PYUSD — PayPal USD
RLUSD — Ripple USD
30-day peg stability dotted line = target · both charts share one scale
What the last 30 days show
Over the last 30 days PYUSD supply moved -2.4% and RLUSD +2.2% — RLUSD grew faster. RLUSD held the tighter band: worst deviation 2 bps against 5 bps.
Key differences
- PYUSD is roughly 1.8× larger than RLUSD by USD circulation value ($2.78B vs $1.58B).
- PYUSD ranks #9 while RLUSD ranks #12 among all tracked stablecoins.
- Both are pegged to the same currency (USD), so they compete directly for the same use cases.
- Both are fiat-backed stablecoins, so the mechanism is not what separates them.
- Reserves differ — PYUSD holds cash & t-bills (paypal), RLUSD holds cash & deposits (ripple).
- PYUSD is deployed on 19 chains — much broader coverage than RLUSD's 2.
- Primary chain differs — most PYUSD supply lives on Ethereum, while most RLUSD supply is on XRPL.
Full comparison table
| Metric | PYUSD | RLUSD |
|---|---|---|
| USD circulation value | $2.78B | $1.58B |
| Rank (by USD value) | #9 | #12 |
| Peg | USD | USD |
| Mechanism | fiat-backed | fiat-backed |
| Backing | Cash & T-bills (PayPal) | Cash & deposits (Ripple) |
| Chains deployed | 19 | 2 |
| Primary chain | Ethereum | XRPL |
| Issuer | Paxos Trust Company (for PayPal) | Ripple |
| CoinGecko | View → | View → |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between PYUSD and RLUSD?
Both track USD, so they compete for the same use cases. PYUSD holds cash & t-bills (paypal); RLUSD holds cash & deposits (ripple). PYUSD ranks #9 by USD value and RLUSD ranks #12.
Which is bigger, PYUSD or RLUSD?
PYUSD is larger, with $2.78B in circulation vs $1.58B for RLUSD. That's roughly 1.8× the size.
Is PYUSD safer than RLUSD?
Neither is inherently safer. Safety turns on reserve composition, issuer transparency, redemption rights and regulatory oversight — none of which this page audits. Both use a fiat-backed model, so the difference sits in the issuer and the reserves rather than the design. Read each issuer's most recent reserve attestation before choosing.
Can I convert between PYUSD and RLUSD?
Yes. PYUSD and RLUSD both trade on major centralized and decentralized exchanges. Since both track USD, the exchange rate is typically very close to 1:1. Direct swap protocols on Ethereum, Solana, and other chains offer the tightest spreads.
Should I choose PYUSD or RLUSD?
The right choice depends on your use case. Consider: which chain do you need? PYUSD is available on 19 chains and RLUSD on 2. What backing do you prefer? What's your integration surface (exchanges, DeFi protocols, payment providers)? Both have deep liquidity, so market cap alone shouldn't decide it.