Ripple expands its presence in the UAE, establishing a new regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa

BlockBeats News, April 30, according to official sources, blockchain enterprise solutions provider Ripple has announced the official opening of its new Middle East and Africa (MEA) regional headquarters at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The new office will enable its regional team to double in size to meet the strong demand in the region for regulated blockchain payment and custody solutions.

Since Ripple established its Middle East and Africa (MEA) regional headquarters in Dubai in 2020, the Middle East has become an important part of its global client base. The company has achieved several milestones in the region: in March 2025, Ripple became the first blockchain payment service provider to obtain a full license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA); recently, its USD stablecoin RLUSD was also approved by the DFSA, making it a recognized crypto token within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) for use by regulated firms.

Reece Merrick, Managing Director of Ripple Middle East and Africa, stated that the new headquarters reflects the company's continued investment in the Middle East's growth trajectory. His Excellency Arif Amiri, CEO of the DIFC Authority, noted that Ripple's expansion demonstrates the confidence global leading digital asset companies have in Dubai as a blockchain technology hub. Ripple's existing clients in the region include Zand Bank, Ctrl Alt, Garanti BBVA, Absa Bank, and Chipper Cash.