Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has received formal approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), a significant regulatory milestone that supports Dubai’s broader push toward blockchain innovation – particularly in the real estate sector.
The DFSA, which oversees operations in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has authorized the use of $RLUSD for a wide range of virtual asset services. This includes:
Cross-border payments
Treasury management, and
Custody services
within the DIFC’s regulated ecosystem. The economic zone, which serves as a hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, had nearly 7,000 registered businesses as of the end of 2024.
Remember the news this month!! Egypt’s Largest Bank Starts Using Ripple for Cross Border Payments with a UAE Currency Exchange Firm https://t.co/86oKDbqDH2 via @Bitcoin KE
— DJ Peter Vas (37k) (@PeterVas6) June 30, 2021
As reported by BitKE, this move is part of Dubai’s continuing effort to become a global leader in blockchain adoption and fintech innovation. Ripple’s integration into this ecosystem reinforces its strategic commitment to the region.
REGULATION | South African Crypto Exchange, VALR, Makes Critical Step Towards Global Expansion Following Dubai Regulatory Approval
VARA is the sole authority regulating virtual assets across Dubai’s free zones and mainland, except within the jurisdiction of Dubai… pic.twitter.com/7NtN9mRbq9
— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) October 4, 2023
RLUSD to Power Dubai Land Department’s Tokenization Initiative
Ripple confirmed that RLUSD will play a key role in supporting the Dubai Land Department’s (DLD) initiative to tokenize real estate title deeds. This blockchain-based project, which entered a pilot phase in March 2025, aims to migrate property registration onto the XRP Ledger, making it a pioneering effort in digital land registry systems.
As BitKE also reported, the DLD’s tokenization project reflects Dubai’s ambitions to enhance transparency and efficiency in property transactions using distributed ledger technology.
Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, Reece Merrick, noted a surge in demand for crypto-powered solutions from UAE-based firms.
“The UAE’s digital economy is vibrant and incredibly dynamic,” Merrick said.
“We’re seeing huge interest from businesses of all sizes for cross-border payments and digital asset custody solutions.”
To meet this demand, Ripple is collaborating with local partners, including digital bank, Zand and fintech platform, Mamo. These firms are expected to be among the first adopters of RLUSD-powered services in the region.
FINTECH AFRICA | ( $XRP ) Partners with Leading African Fintech, Chipper Cash, for Crypto Cross-Border Payments
The partnership also builds on Ripple’s 2023 deal with another Africa fintech, Onafriq, also one of the world’s largest remittance services providers.… pic.twitter.com/QzYcVr0A0C
— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) March 28, 2025
Ripple’s Global Expansion Continues
The DFSA’s approval of RLUSD follows Ripple’s receipt of a full operating license in the DIFC in March 2025. The stablecoin is one of the few globally to gain recognition from both the DFSA and the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), which granted approval in December 2024.
In addition to RLUSD, the DFSA has also recognized Circle-issued stablecoins, $USDC and $EURC for use within the DIFC.
Ripple’s momentum in Dubai is emblematic of the city’s wider ambition to become a hub for next-generation financial services. With regulatory clarity and public sector support, Dubai is positioning itself as a magnet for blockchain innovation.
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