Ripple, the company specializing in blockchain-based payments, has just obtained a full regulatory license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). This approval allows it to officially operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), an economic zone in the United Arab Emirates with its own tax and regulatory policies.
A strategic expansion in the Emirates for Ripple
The announcement of the license obtained by Ripple, made on March 13, 2025, follows a first principle approval in October 2024. With this final green light, Ripple becomes the first provider of blockchain-based payments authorized to operate in the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre).
This license allows Ripple to offer its blockchain-based cross-border payment solutions to businesses across the United Arab Emirates. Ripple's CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, praised this advancement by highlighting the UAE's pioneering role in innovation and cryptocurrency regulation.
A favorable environment for the development of cryptocurrencies
The obtaining of this license comes as the United Arab Emirates continues its strategy to become a global crypto hub. With an international trade market of over 400 billion dollars, the country attracts a growing number of financial institutions and blockchain companies seeking alternatives to traditional cross-border payment systems.
The DIFC, which offers a regulatory framework distinct from the rest of the country, plays a central role in this ambition. Its CEO, Arif Amiri, emphasized the importance of Ripple's arrival.
A Ripple study conducted in 2024 reveals that 64% of financial leaders in the Middle East and Africa consider the speed of transactions as one of the main advantages of blockchain.
The adoption of stablecoins, particularly Ripple's RLUSD, is also expected to accelerate in the Emirates. This stablecoin, launched in December 2024, has reached a market capitalization of 134 million dollars and could benefit from the growing interest in instant and regulated payments.
With this new license in Dubai, Ripple takes a major step in its international development. The company thus strengthens its positioning in a strategic region while benefiting from a regulatory framework favorable to blockchain innovations.
