XRP Now Available in 72 Countries With Combined GDP of over $8 Trillion

XRP may now be available in up to 72 countries within the MEASA (Middle East, Africa, and South Asia) region following its recent regulatory approval by Dubai within the DIFC.

The Crypto Basic recently disclosed that the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the independent financial services regulatory body in the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), approved XRP under its digital asset regime.

The approval would give licensed crypto-focused companies operating within the DIFC the liberty to offer all forms of crypto-related services for XRP, including trading, lending, and others. 

According to the announcement, XRP became the first crypto asset the regulatory agency granted legal and regulatory approval from an external application under its crypto asset regime within the DIFC. XRP joins other digital assets such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC), but these did not get approved through an external application.

Significance of the Development 

Interestingly, recent discoveries confirmed that the development is more pivotal than most enthusiasts initially believed. The DIFC’s role as a leading financial center is not limited to Dubai or the UAE but extends its influence across a vast area, reaching the entire MEASA region.

Information from its official platform suggests that the DIFC has served as a central point for various financial activities, making it one of the primary destinations for businesses, investors, and financial institutions in the MEASA region for over two decades.

For context, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region encompasses up to 72 countries, including major players like India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar. The MEASA region boasts a combined nominal GDP of over $8 Trillion, per recent estimates.

The DIFC has been instrumental in facilitating trade and investment within the MEASA region. It plays a vital role in linking investors and businesses from MEASA to the rest of the world. As a result, XRP’s regulatory clarity in the financial hub opens the doors for multiple opportunities in the 72 countries within MEASA.

Three years back, Ripple established its MENA (Middle East and North Africa) headquarters within the DIFC upon recognizing the potential opportunities that could come from operating within the hub. XRP’s entrance further solidifies its footing in the center.

Notably, XRP already secures regulatory clarity in some countries within the MEASA region with favorable crypto rules. Nonetheless, the recent approval from the DIFC could help bolster its prominence in the region, exposing it to several MEASA companies domiciled in the DIFC.