Ripple has expanded its presence in the UAE with a new MEA regional headquarters at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The move is intended to support continued hiring and meet rising demand for regulated blockchain-based payments and custody services across the region.
The company first set up its MEA regional headquarters in Dubai in 2020. It said its regional business has since grown, with the Middle East now accounting for a significant portion of its global customer base.
The new DIFC office provides additional capacity for Ripple to expand its regional team and strengthen support for clients across the Middle East and Africa, including Zand Bank, Ctrl Alt, Garanti BBVA, Absa Bank and Chipper Cash.
Ripple’s regional growth has coincided with several regulatory developments in the UAE.
In March 2025, the company became the first blockchain payments provider to receive a full license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), enabling it to offer regulated cross-border digital payment services from within DIFC.
More recently, the DFSA recognised RLUSD, Ripple’s US dollar-backed stablecoin, as an approved crypto token for use by regulated entities within the centre.
“In recent years the Middle East has become an increasingly vital driver of Ripple’s global growth,”
said Reece Merrick, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa at Ripple.
“Our new regional headquarters is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to the region. From our earliest days in the UAE, we have seen strong demand from local businesses for regulated blockchain-powered payment infrastructure. A larger team based in Dubai will enable us to better support clients and partners across the region.”
Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer at DIFC Authority, said Ripple’s expansion reflected confidence in Dubai as a hub for blockchain firms.
“Since establishing its regional headquarters here, Ripple has been a model for how digital asset firms can operate with both ambition and accountability,”
he said.
“We look forward to deepening that partnership as they grow their presence in DIFC.”
Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News UAE, based on image by smth.design via Magnific
