Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, has received official approval for use within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)—a significant regulatory milestone that deepens Ripple’s integration in one of the world’s most forward-thinking crypto jurisdictions.
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the DIFC’s top regulator, greenlit the use of RLUSD across a range of virtual asset services, including payments, treasury operations, and other blockchain-based financial activities. This makes RLUSD one of the few stablecoins authorized for regulated use within the DIFC, offering businesses a compliant pathway to participate in the region’s digital asset ecosystem.
The approval is part of Dubai’s broader strategy to cement its status as a global leader in blockchain innovation. RLUSD is already being deployed in the city’s real estate tokenization pilot, led by the Dubai Land Department (DLD). The initiative, launched in March, uses the XRP Ledger to tokenize property title deeds—creating a blockchain-native infrastructure for secure, on-chain real estate transactions.
As of late 2024, the DIFC hosted nearly 7,000 companies operating across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Under the DFSA’s Virtual Asset Regime, only pre-approved tokens—such as RLUSD—are permitted in regulated transactions, ensuring a high standard of compliance and institutional reliability.
The regulatory green light not only expands Ripple’s utility in the Middle East but also reinforces DIFC’s status as a global testing ground for stablecoin-powered finance.
Ripple Taps UAE Boom Amid Surge in Crypto Payment and Custody Demand
Ripple is experiencing a surge in demand across the UAE, fueled by the country’s rapid embrace of blockchain-driven finance. Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, highlighted a sharp rise in interest for cross-border payments and digital asset custody solutions powered by stablecoins.
“The UAE’s digital economy is vibrant and incredibly dynamic,” said Merrick.
“We’re seeing huge interest from businesses of all sizes looking to integrate blockchain for real-world financial use cases.”
Ripple is collaborating with key regional partners to roll out regulated crypto infrastructure. Early adopters of RLUSD include Zand, a digital-first bank, and Mamo, a fintech platform focused on consumer payments. Both are expected to integrate RLUSD into their payment rails.
Notably, Ripple’s RLUSD will serve as a foundation for Dubai’s property tokenization pilot. Backed by the Dubai Land Department, the program aims to record real estate titles on the XRP Ledger, allowing for secure, transparent, and immutable property transfers.
With regulatory clarity, public-sector support, and business enthusiasm aligning, Ripple’s strategy in the UAE demonstrates how blockchain is transitioning from experimentation to core financial infrastructure.
Ripple Secures Regulatory Wins in Dubai and New York for RLUSD
Ripple’s regulatory momentum continues to build as its stablecoin RLUSD gains acceptance across two of the most influential crypto jurisdictions: Dubai and New York.
On March 13, Ripple announced that it had received a full license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to operate in the DIFC, officially clearing the path for RLUSD to be used in regulated financial services across the district.
This follows a prior approval from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), which granted Ripple a Trust Company Charter on December 10, allowing RLUSD to be offered under New York’s stringent regulatory standards.
With these dual approvals, Ripple is one of the few firms positioned to operate a compliant, enterprise-grade stablecoin across both the U.S. and UAE markets. The approval also places RLUSD alongside other regulated stablecoins such as Circle’s USDC and EURC, which have similarly been cleared for use in the DIFC.
The developments bolster Ripple’s compliance-first reputation, offering regulators and institutions alike a stablecoin framework designed for real-world integration at scale.
Quick Facts
- RLUSD has been approved by Dubai’s DFSA for use in the DIFC across regulated virtual asset services.
- Ripple’s stablecoin is integrated into Dubai’s real estate tokenization project via the XRP Ledger.
- RLUSD also holds regulatory approval in New York under the NYDFS Trust Company Charter.
- Key UAE partners like Zand and Mamo are expected to adopt RLUSD for payment and custody use cases.
- Dubai’s DIFC hosts nearly 7,000 companies, acting as a major regional financial hub.
