June 4, 2025
Dubai, UAE – 3 June 2025 – Ripple, a global leader in enterprise blockchain and crypto solutions, has announced that its stablecoin, RLUSD, has been officially approved by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) for use within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This regulatory greenlight solidifies RLUSD’s status as a secure and trusted digital dollar built specifically for institutional use.
The approval under the DFSA’s crypto token regime allows RLUSD to be integrated into Ripple’s DFSA-licensed payments platform—offering businesses a stable, blockchain-powered alternative to traditional cross-border payment systems.
RLUSD stands out in the global stablecoin market, having also been issued under the stringent New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) Trust Company Charter. With a 1:1 USD backing held in high-quality liquid assets, segregated reserves, independent audits, and clear redemption rights, RLUSD is built to meet the highest regulatory and institutional standards.
Jack McDonald, SVP of Stablecoins at Ripple, said:
“The DFSA’s approval of RLUSD is proof of our commitment to building a stablecoin that meets the highest standards of trust, transparency, and utility. With regulation-first design and enterprise-grade features, RLUSD is uniquely positioned to drive institutional use of blockchain technology across global markets, starting with cross-border payments.”
Powering Dubai’s Fintech Growth
This approval enables not just Ripple but also other DFSA-licensed firms within DIFC to incorporate RLUSD into their services. With nearly 7,000 firms operating in DIFC by the end of 2024, the ecosystem is ripe for broader integration of secure and compliant digital assets.
As adoption grows, the UAE continues to position itself as a global leader in digital finance. In 2024 alone, stablecoin transactions surged by 55% year-on-year in the region, reflecting rising demand for more efficient alternatives to traditional banking rails.
Reece Merrick, Managing Director MEA at Ripple, added:
“The DFSA’s approval of RLUSD is another major step in Ripple’s expansion in the region. The UAE continues to lead by example with progressive regulation and real-world digital asset use cases. We’re proud to support this growth with secure and scalable solutions for payments and tokenization.”
Regional Momentum Builds
Ripple’s presence in the UAE is growing rapidly. Recent partnerships include:
- Zand Bank and Mamo, the first adopters of Ripple’s DFSA-licensed payments solution in the UAE.
- A strategic collaboration with Ctrl Alt to power the Dubai Land Department’s Real Estate Tokenization Project, enabling the tokenization of property title deeds on the XRP Ledger.
