Ripple has officially opened its Middle East and Africa headquarters in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), marking a key expansion of its regional footprint since first entering Dubai in 2020. The new office will support growing demand for regulated blockchain-based payment and custody services.
DFSA Approvals Enable RLUSD and Compliance
Ripple became the first blockchain payments provider licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) in March 2025. Notably, the DFSA also recognized RLUSD, Ripple's dollar-pegged stablecoin, as a permissible crypto token within DIFC. This recognition allows regulated entities in the financial center to use RLUSD in their operations, enabling Ripple to offer compliant cross-border payment services directly from Dubai.
According to Ripple, the Middle East region now accounts for a meaningful share of its global customer base. Reece Merrick, Managing Director for Middle East and Africa at Ripple, said local businesses continue to seek regulated blockchain infrastructure. He added that Ripple plans to deepen client support through its larger Dubai team.
Expansion Doubles Regional Workforce Capacity
The new headquarters provides capacity to double Ripple's regional workforce as demand increases. The company will hire more staff to serve clients and partners across the Middle East and Africa. Existing partners include Zand Bank, Ctrl Alt, Garanti BBVA, Absa Bank, and Chipper Cash.
His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer at DIFC Authority, commented on Ripple's expansion, saying the move reflects confidence among global blockchain firms operating within Dubai's financial ecosystem. He stated that DIFC will continue to support firms building scalable blockchain solutions under regulatory oversight.
Ripple's expansion comes as DIFC continues to attract digital asset companies seeking a regulated environment. The DFSA's approval of RLUSD is particularly significant, as it opens the door for stablecoin-based payments in a major financial hub.