Bitnomial, Inc., a CFTC-regulated derivatives exchange and clearing organization, has announced it will now accept Ripple USD (RLUSD) and XRP as margin collateral. The move marks the first time a U.S.-registered exchange has approved a stablecoin as native margin, setting a new precedent for digital asset integration in the futures market.
The update allows institutional clients to post RLUSD and XRP as collateral for futures, perpetuals, and options trading on Bitnomial’s institutional platform. Retail users will gain similar access through Botanical, Bitnomial’s consumer-focused trading venue.
Expanding Margin Options for Institutional and Retail Traders
Previously, Bitnomial only supported Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) as margin deposits. By including RLUSD and XRP, the exchange aims to boost capital efficiency for traders who prefer to use digital assets directly rather than converting into fiat.
“Adding RLUSD and XRP to our margin system represents a major evolution in trading infrastructure,” said Luke Hoersten, Bitnomial’s CEO. “We’re combining the efficiency of stablecoins with the speed and liquidity of XRP to deliver a more flexible experience for both institutional and retail participants.”
This integration follows Ripple’s rollout of RLUSD, its dollar-pegged stablecoin, which is designed for institutional-grade on-chain settlement and liquidity management. RLUSD’s acceptance by a CFTC-regulated exchange is expected to strengthen its legitimacy within the derivatives and collateral markets.
A Strategic Shift Toward Crypto-Native Collateral
The decision reflects a broader trend in the derivatives industry: the shift toward crypto-native margining systems that reduce settlement friction and counterparty risk. By allowing RLUSD, a stable, USD-backed digital asset, to serve as collateral, Bitnomial provides traders with near-instant margin transfers while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Ripple’s XRP, long used for real-time cross-border payments, now gains a new utility within the derivatives ecosystem. This expansion enhances XRP’s institutional presence as a liquidity and margin asset, aligning with Ripple’s strategy to bridge traditional finance and digital markets.
Outlook
Bitnomial’s adoption of RLUSD and XRP comes as the exchange seeks to differentiate itself from major competitors like CME and Bakkt by offering digital-first collateral models under U.S. regulatory oversight.
Analysts see this as a landmark step in legitimizing stablecoins and payment-oriented tokens for institutional trading infrastructure. As more regulated venues follow suit, stablecoin-based collateralization could become a cornerstone of the next generation of crypto derivatives markets.
