The dollar stablecoin Ripple has received approval in the Middle East region. This is another step towards bridging traditional finance and digital assets. All this is happening as UAE authorities tighten control over decentralized services and Web3.
Now, institutions operating in the Abu Dhabi financial zone will be able to use RLUSD as part of regulated activities. This step fits into the country’s strategy: to support innovation, but with clear rules.
While the UAE is restructuring its approach to payment, credit, and custodial services in the digital sphere, Ripple is gradually expanding its presence in the region. The company already operates through several licensed hubs, which are also home to major international financial organizations.
ADGM adds RLUSD to the list of permitted assets
On Thursday, Ripple announced that RLUSD is officially recognized as a Fiat-Referenced Token within the regulated zone of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
The financial center is located on Al Maryah and Al Reem islands and operates as an international free zone with its own regulatory framework.
The authorization was issued by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority — the body that oversees all operations within this jurisdiction.
Companies licensed in ADGM can now work with RLUSD, but only within permitted operations. At the same time, they must comply with all rules related to fiat stablecoins. These requirements concern reserve management, transparency, and disclosure of information.
According to Ripple, the market capitalization of RLUSD now exceeds $1 billion. The stablecoin is already used in settlements and as collateral.
The token was launched at the end of 2024. It is fully backed by the US dollar and its equivalents and trades at a 1:1 rate to the dollar.
The issuance of RLUSD is handled by a limited license trust company registered in New York. Custody and reserve conditions are set by the local Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).
Ripple expands its position in UAE financial zones
Ripple is steadily increasing its presence in the UAE. In autumn 2024, the company applied for a license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority to launch new products in the country’s market.
By the end of the month, the regulator had already given preliminary approval. This opened the way for Ripple to one of the key zones, the Dubai International Financial Centre. By March, the company had already received a full license to operate cross-border crypto payments.
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DIFC has long been a stronghold for global players working with the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. The zone has its own rules and remains a key hub for crypto finance in the region.
In June, DFSA officially allowed the use of RLUSD within regulated operations in DIFC. This gave companies operating in the zone the opportunity to integrate the stablecoin into payment and treasury services.
Among the first users of the Ripple Payments system, built on blockchain and focused on institutional transfers, were Zand Bank and the fintech app Mamo.
The UAE strengthens control over the crypto market at the national level
The country has begun to combine licensing within financial zones with a unified federal system to cover more segments of the digital market under centralized supervision.
This week, the authorities introduced a new law that officially brings decentralized finance and a significant part of Web3 under regulation.
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Federal Decree No. 6 of 2025 comes into force in September. It requires all platforms, infrastructure providers, and protocols working with custody, payment services, investments, lending, or exchanges to obtain a license from the UAE Central Bank by September 2026.
This step establishes a level playing field for all companies operating in the digital finance sector.
Regulated stablecoins come to the forefront
The approval of RLUSD in ADGM, the license in DIFC and the launch of a common regulatory framework make Ripple part of the new institutional infrastructure of the UAE.
Now, licensed companies in different zones of the country can use RLUSD within permitted operations. This highlights how the UAE’s approach to digital assets is changing, from isolated experiments to systemic integration.
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The new law shows that the country is ready to support innovation, but at the same time requires players to comply with the same standards as in traditional finance.
The admission of RLUSD in Abu Dhabi coincided with growing global interest in regulated stablecoins. They are increasingly used in settlements, payment services, and as collateral in institutional markets.
