Ripple Expands in the Middle East: DFSA License Opens New Doors for Crypto Payments

Ripple continues to expand its position as a leading provider of blockchain payment solutions in the Middle East. On May 1st, 2025, it was announced that Ripple was officially licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) – a significant milestone for the region’s crypto sector. This makes Ripple the first company of its kind to offer fully regulated cross-border crypto payments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This approval enables Ripple to establish its “Ripple Payments” solution across one of the world’s most important trading regions. With a trading volume of over $400 billion and a remittance market of $40 billion, the Gulf state offers an ideal starting point for innovations in payments. Ripple focuses on three key areas: fast transactions, low fees, and high transparency.

Ripple becomes the first licensed provider of regulated crypto payments in the UAE, strengthening its role in the Middle East’s booming digital finance landscape

The Middle East is rapidly becoming a crypto hotspot. Progressive regulations, technological advancements, and a young, digitally savvy population are driving this transformation. According to Ripple research, 40 percent of financial and corporate service providers in the region already use digital custody solutions—the highest rate worldwide. Another 56 percent plan to adopt them within the next three years.

With the DFSA license, Ripple is now able to offer crypto payments with its proprietary stablecoin, RLUSD. RLUSD is a USD-based, regulatory-backed stablecoin specifically designed for corporate use. In addition to international payments, integration into DeFi protocols is also possible—a strategically important step for institutions seeking to enter the digital financial market.

Ripple has had an office in Dubai since 2020. The Middle East currently accounts for around 20 percent of Ripple’s global customer base, and the number is growing. The company now has more than 60 regulatory approvals worldwide, including from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the New York DFS, and the EU.

Ripple is strategically positioning itself as the preferred provider for regulated crypto payments in the Middle East. The DFSA license is a clear signal of regulatory clarity and institutional trust in digital assets. As the Middle East continues to set the framework for crypto innovation, Ripple stands ready to play a key role in shaping this transformation.

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(Featured image by Rudolfs Klintsons via Pexels)

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