Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has officially been approved by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), marking a major step in expanding crypto adoption in the region. This greenlight allows companies operating in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to integrate RLUSD into virtual asset services such as payments, treasury solutions, and digital finance products.

The DIFC, home to nearly 7,000 businesses, is a major economic hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Under its crypto regulations, only DFSA-approved tokens can be used within its ecosystem—making RLUSD one of the few stablecoins globally recognized under both the DFSA and New York’s Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).

Ripple’s regional director Reece Merrick highlighted surging interest in blockchain solutions across the UAE, calling the local digital economy “incredibly dynamic.” He noted strong demand for cross-border payment tools and digital asset custody among enterprises of all sizes.

Ripple has partnered with UAE-based companies including neobank Zand and fintech firm Mamo, both expected to be among the first to use RLUSD for regulated payment flows. Additionally, RLUSD will play a role in Dubai’s real estate tokenization efforts, specifically the Dubai Land Department’s pilot project to record title deeds on the XRP Ledger.

This approval follows Ripple’s full licensing to operate in the DIFC granted in March 2025. The move signals Ripple’s intent to expand its influence in compliant crypto finance across emerging markets. RLUSD now joins a short list of DFSA-approved tokens including USDC and EURC, issued by Circle.

With regulatory backing in two major jurisdictions, Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin is quickly becoming a cornerstone in institutional crypto finance.