USDCvsRLUSD
USD Coin vs Ripple USD — side-by-side comparison of supply, chains, backing, and peg data.
Side-by-side
USDC — USD Coin
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 USDC supply moved -1.6% and RLUSD +2.2% — RLUSD grew faster. RLUSD held the tighter band: worst deviation 2 bps against 5 bps.
Key differences
- USDC is roughly 45.6× larger than RLUSD by USD circulation value ($72.21B vs $1.58B).
- USDC ranks #2 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 — USDC holds cash & t-bills, RLUSD holds cash & deposits (ripple).
- USDC is deployed on 154 chains — much broader coverage than RLUSD's 2.
- Primary chain differs — most USDC supply lives on Ethereum, while most RLUSD supply is on XRPL.
Full comparison table
| Metric | USDC | RLUSD |
|---|---|---|
| USD circulation value | $72.21B | $1.58B |
| Rank (by USD value) | #2 | #12 |
| Peg | USD | USD |
| Mechanism | fiat-backed | fiat-backed |
| Backing | Cash & T-bills | Cash & deposits (Ripple) |
| Chains deployed | 154 | 2 |
| Primary chain | Ethereum | XRPL |
| Issuer | Circle | Ripple |
| CoinGecko | View → | View → |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between USDC and RLUSD?
Both track USD, so they compete for the same use cases. USDC holds cash & t-bills; RLUSD holds cash & deposits (ripple). USDC ranks #2 by USD value and RLUSD ranks #12.
Which is bigger, USDC or RLUSD?
USDC is larger, with $72.21B in circulation vs $1.58B for RLUSD. That's roughly 45.6× the size.
Is USDC 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 USDC and RLUSD?
Yes. USDC 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 USDC or RLUSD?
The right choice depends on your use case. Consider: which chain do you need? USDC is available on 154 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.