Business · South Africa
Absa Teams Up with Ripple to Launch Gold-Backed Stablecoin
Moneyweb · 2026/02/11
Summary
Absa, one of South Africa's leading banks, is making a significant move into the world of digital currencies by partnering with Ripple, a global crypto company. This collaboration aims to develop and test a stablecoin, a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a steady value. What's unique is that Absa’s stablecoin will be backed by gold, which can provide more security and trust compared to other digital coins. Rob Downes, head of digital assets at Absa, shares that this step is part of the bank’s strategy to explore new financial technologies and improve how money moves in the digital world. If successful, this could offer faster, cheaper, and safer payment methods for businesses and individuals in South Africa. The gold backing also means the stablecoin could protect users from the volatility often experienced in traditional cryptocurrencies.
OnABudget takeaway: For everyday consumers and small businesses, Absa’s gold-backed stablecoin could mean more reliable and affordable digital payments, helping to save costs and reduce payment delays. Investors may find new opportunities in a more stable and secure digital asset within South Africa’s growing crypto market.