The latest meeting between Ripple executives and key leaders in Dubai continues to spark conversation about Ripple’s positioning within the $400 billion market opportunity.
This month, Ripple’s leadership convened in Dubai for the 2025 FinTech Summit, where President Monica Long met with UAE officials, including Emirates Group Chairman Ahmed bin Saeed.
Discussions focused on expanding digital payments and driving financial innovation. This follows Ripple’s regulatory approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) on March 13.
The license enables Ripple to provide cryptocurrency payment services within the Dubai International Financial Centre. Notably, this approval represents a strategic breakthrough for Ripple in the Middle East. For instance, Ripple is the first crypto payments provider to receive full clearance from the DFSA.
It positions the company to expand its enterprise-grade crypto payment services across a region increasingly aligned with blockchain innovation.
Strategic Expansion into a High-Value Market
Following the recent meeting in Dubai, XRP community member “Riz” reminded investors that the UAE commands a market of over $400 billion in international trade. Ripple confirmed this figure in its March announcement.
Ripple is now set to power cross-border payments in the UAE, tapping into a $400 billion market.#XRP #RLUSD #XRPLEDER https://t.co/XMkCR51AuE pic.twitter.com/8nYwiLMBI2
— RIZ.. 🇺🇸 🇵🇷 (@RizXRP) May 18, 2025
Notably, the new license enables the company to address rising demand for faster and more transparent cross-border payment solutions from traditional financial institutions and crypto-native firms in the region. This move builds on Ripple’s presence in the UAE since 2020. Specifically, around 20% of its global customers are already operating in the Middle East.
According to a 2024 Ripple survey, 64% of financial leaders in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region see faster settlement as blockchain’s primary advantage. The region also demonstrates one of the highest levels of institutional readiness. Notably, over 82% of MEA financial leaders expressed strong confidence in integrating blockchain solutions.
Stablecoin Utility on the Rise
Ripple’s recent launch of its RLUSD stablecoin is another key component of its strategy. With real-time settlement as a core feature, RLUSD has already surpassed $312 million in market capitalization since its debut in December.
Interestingly, this figure marks more than a 2x increase from the $130 million reported in March, when Ripple secured its DFSA license. This growth shows the rising interest in stablecoins for payment utility, particularly in regions where traditional settlements are slow.
Building a Global Compliance Footprint
The DFSA approval adds to Ripple’s expanding portfolio of more than 60 global regulatory licenses. Notably, the company holds authorizations from the Central Bank of Ireland, Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS), and the New York Department of Financial Services.
As Ripple continues to engage closely with regulators worldwide, the company is solidifying its position as a leader in compliant blockchain infrastructure for financial services globally.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
