In comments accompanying Ripple's announcement of its UAE expansion, the Dubai International Financial Centre highlighted that Ripple has opened a new Middle East and Africa regional headquarters within DIFC. The move increases capacity for Ripple to grow its local team as demand for regulated blockchain-based payment and custody services rises across the region. Ripple first established its Middle East and Africa regional headquarters in Dubai in 2020. The new office in DIFC is intended to support a doubling of the regional team and expanded coverage of clients and partners across the Middle East and Africa, including Zand Bank, Ctrl Alt, Garanti BBVA, Absa Bank and Chipper Cash. The release also pointed to Ripple's recent regulatory milestones in the centre, including becoming the first blockchain payments provider to receive a full Dubai Financial Services Authority licence in March 2025 for regulated cross-border digital payment services from DIFC, and the Dubai Financial Services Authority's recognition of Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin for use by regulated firms in DIFC.
Dubai International Financial Centre 2026-04-30
Dubai International Financial Centre highlights Ripple opening an expanded Middle East and Africa headquarters in DIFC
The Dubai International Financial Centre announced that Ripple has opened a new Middle East and Africa regional headquarters in DIFC to expand its team and support demand for regulated blockchain-based payment and custody services. The office is intended to double Ripple’s regional staff and broaden client coverage, including Zand Bank, Ctrl Alt, Garanti BBVA, Absa Bank and Chipper Cash. DIFC also highlighted Ripple becoming the first blockchain payments provider to receive a full Dubai Financial Services Authority licence for regulated cross-border digital payment services and the recognition of its RLUSD stablecoin for use by regulated firms in DIFC.