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Ripple, a global leader in digital asset infrastructure, has received in-principle approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to enhance its services within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This move marks a significant milestone for Ripple, enabling the company to introduce Ripple Payments Direct (RPD) and other cross-border payment solutions across the UAE.

With this regulatory endorsement, Ripple aims to expand its enterprise-grade digital asset services in the UAE, offering faster, more cost-efficient cross-border payment solutions. The company plans to integrate essential infrastructure components, such as liquidity management, custody solutions, and on/off ramps between fiat and digital assets, to meet the growing demand for efficient payment systems in the region.

Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, highlighted the UAE's forward-thinking regulatory environment as a key factor for Ripple’s expansion, noting, “Blockchain and crypto technologies are here to stay, and the UAE is positioning itself as a global leader in this new era of financial technology.”

Ripple's approval by the DFSA represents the first blockchain-based payment provider to be licensed by the regulator. The DFSA’s stringent regulatory framework, along with Dubai’s strategic position as a financial hub, has made the UAE an attractive market for Ripple’s continued investments.

Expanding Middle East Presence

The DFSA’s approval aligns with Ripple's strategy to strengthen its presence in the Middle East, a region that has seen increased interest in digital financial services. Since establishing its regional headquarters in Dubai in 2020, Ripple has been investing heavily in the region’s crypto and blockchain landscape.

Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, said, “DIFC's future-focused financial ecosystem is built to support innovation. We are proud to welcome Ripple’s continued expansion in the DIFC, contributing to the growth of blockchain technology in the region.”

Global Compliance and Innovation

As part of its global strategy, Ripple has secured over 55 licences from regulators worldwide, including Singapore, New York, and Ireland. The DFSA approval further reinforces Ripple’s commitment to regulatory compliance, enabling it to expand blockchain adoption across global financial services.

Reece Merrick, Managing Director of Ripple in the Middle East and Africa, stated that the UAE accounts for over 20% of Ripple’s global customer base. The approval marks a crucial step in the company’s effort to provide more efficient cross-border payment solutions and support the UAE’s vision to become a leading global crypto and fintech hub.

Ripple has also strengthened its commitment to the UAE through partnerships with the DIFC Innovation Hub and NYU Abu Dhabi, aimed at advancing blockchain research and fostering innovation in the region’s financial services sector.

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