Ripple has achieved a significant milestone in its global expansion, securing full regulatory approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to offer crypto payment services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The approval positions Ripple as the first blockchain-powered payment provider operating in Dubai’s International Financial Centre (DIFC), a major economic hub with its own tax and regulatory framework.

The DFSA license, granted on March 13, follows Ripple’s in-principle approval announced in October 2024. With this official clearance, the company can now offer its blockchain-based cross-border payment solutions to financial institutions across the UAE, enhancing real-world use cases for digital assets.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse praised the UAE’s forward-thinking approach to crypto regulation, emphasizing the country’s leadership in fostering blockchain innovation. He highlighted the growing institutional adoption of digital assets and the increasing regulatory clarity as key drivers of the crypto industry's expansion.

The Middle East has emerged as a hotspot for cross-border payment solutions, with both crypto-native and traditional financial institutions seeking efficient transaction methods. Ripple sees the UAE as a key market for its services and is actively engaging with regulators, including the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), to navigate upcoming stablecoin regulations.

Ripple has also prioritized expanding the availability of its RLUSD stablecoin, which is now accessible through the CoinMENA exchange in the UAE. DIFC CEO Arif Amiri welcomed Ripple’s move, noting that the license unlocks opportunities for the company in the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

With this regulatory green light, Ripple cements its position as a leader in blockchain-powered payments, setting the stage for further expansion across the region.