Tembo e-LV Adopts Ripple USD (RLUSD) for Faster Global EV Payments

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By Jason Walker

In a significant move reflecting the growing utility of digital currencies in global trade, VivoPower International PLC’s electric vehicle division, Tembo e-LV, has announced the integration of Ripple USD (RLUSD) for payment processing. This adoption underscores a broader trend where stablecoins are emerging as critical infrastructure for efficient cross-border transactions, bridging traditional finance with the speed and cost-effectiveness of blockchain technology.

Companies operating across diverse international markets, particularly those in nascent economies like Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East where Tembo e-LV maintains a presence, frequently contend with the bottlenecks of conventional banking. High transaction fees, protracted settlement periods stretching over days, and uneven access to financial services present formidable barriers to operational efficiency and expansion.

Ripple Labs’ stablecoin, RLUSD, is engineered to mitigate these long-standing challenges. Pegged to the U.S. dollar and fully collateralized by a robust reserve of cash deposits and short-term government securities, RLUSD offers price stability essential for business operations. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies, its design adheres to institutional compliance standards, facilitating settlements within seconds – a stark contrast to the multi-day processes common in traditional international transfers. Launched across both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum networks, RLUSD benefits from broad compatibility and accessibility, demonstrating a tenfold increase in market capitalization since early 2025, signaling accelerated adoption across various industries.

For VivoPower, the integration of RLUSD is a strategic pivot designed to enhance several core business functions. The company anticipates a substantial acceleration of international transactions and a marked reduction in banking and foreign exchange costs. Furthermore, this move is poised to bolster VivoPower’s digital reserve strategy, enabling more direct participation in decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems, and ultimately championing the wider corporate adoption of regulated digital assets.

Beyond merely accepting RLUSD, VivoPower is embarking on a comprehensive XRP-centric digital strategy. This includes plans to hold XRP as a treasury asset, explore investments in Ripple Labs equity, and actively support the development of DeFi solutions built on the XRPL. Such an encompassing approach positions VivoPower not only as an innovator in sustainable energy transport but also as a frontrunner at the strategic intersection of green technology and advanced blockchain finance, reflecting a forward-looking stance on global commerce.

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