Tether exits EU over MiCA rules, creating a $150B stablecoin gap; Ripple's RLUSD emerges as the top contender

USDT's departure shakes EU crypto; Ripple's RLUSD and Circle's USDC compete to fill the void amid shifting market dynamics.

Europe just lost its most traded stablecoin, Tether’s USDT, due to MiCA regulations, and the crypto market is already buzzing with activity as a result. Tether’s decision to pull USDT from top European exchanges follows MiCA’s demanding rules of no interest payouts, strict cash reserves, capped issuance/redemptions, and required links to EU banks.

But as one door closes, another opens. With USDT gone, the stage is set for another stablecoin to take center stage, and Bitstamp, the leading European cryptocurrency exchange, has already integrated RLUSD stablecoin, making it a prime contender for the spot.

As crypto analyst Jake Claver puts it, “Tether took one look and said, ‘we’re out.’” And just like that, a $150 billion liquidity engine exited one of the largest crypto markets.

The EU lost its most widely-used stablecoin with USDT being pulled from major exchanges across Europe, all thanks to new MiCA regulations—and Tether’s decision not to play along. That opens up a huge opportunity in the market. But the real question is: who’s going to benefit? The… pic.twitter.com/aqM5WWYTPg

Without USDT, Europe’s crypto trading landscape looks dented. Liquidity is drying up, and users are slowly shifting to platforms outside the EU. Meanwhile, he said Circle is stepping in with MiCA-compliant USDC and EURC, but their combined market size is still small compared to USDT. While Circle offers compliance, it lacks the scale to replace Tether’s dominance fully.

Claver explains, “USDC is compliant but small. Tether is massive but non-compliant. Ripple’s RLUSD brings the best of both worlds.”

USDC vs RLUSD: Who Can Fill Tether’s $150B Shoes?

Claver highlights that Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin could quietly become the biggest winner in this scenario. RLUSD launched in December, fully compliant with MiCA, runs on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum, and is supported by Ripple’s institutional partnerships. Unlike other projects focused on the US, Ripple had already built strong global connections, particularly in Asia, where regional stablecoins are gaining popularity.

However, Ripple’s early preparation is now paying off. RLUSD offers a rare combination of regulatory alignment and global reach. According to Claver, this positions Ripple as the most likely candidate to fill the stablecoin gap in the EU. With USDT stepping aside and Circle struggling to scale, Ripple has a clear opportunity to reshape the market.

On the Contrary…

Hey Jake,How does Tether not being MiCA compliant and not being compliant with the Genius act , affect Bitcoin. Will this be the reason that causes or exacerbates one of those dominoes to fall, which will cause $XRP to skyrocket before the end of the year?

On crypto users, sKar PRIME responded by highlighting the broader market implications of Tether’s non-compliance with MiCA and the Genius Act. He suggested that Tether’s exit could trigger a larger domino effect across the crypto ecosystem. This disruption, he implied, might benefit assets like Bitcoin and potentially accelerate XRP’s rise by the end of the year, especially as regulatory-compliant alternatives step in to fill the gap left by USDT.

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FAQs

Tether withdrew USDT due to MiCA’s strict regulations, which impose tight rules on stablecoin issuers, including no interest payouts, strict cash reserves, capped issuance, and mandatory links to EU banks.

MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) is a comprehensive EU framework that sets stringent rules for stablecoin issuers, demanding full reserves, regulatory authorization, and transparency to enhance consumer protection and market stability.

While USDC is MiCA-compliant, it lacks the scale to fully replace USDT. RLUSD, also compliant, offers a combination of regulatory alignment and Ripple’s global reach, positioning it strongly.

USDT’s exit is causing liquidity drying up and users shifting platforms. It may also benefit compliant assets like Bitcoin and potentially accelerate XRP’s rise as regulated alternatives fill the void.