In a pivotal shift following years of regulatory scrutiny, Ripple is accelerating its global footprint—this time with a strategic focus on the Middle East. Freed from the immediate pressures of its long-standing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company is now positioning the XRP Ledger (XRPL) at the heart of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, cross-border payments, and institutional-grade financial infrastructure.
Dubai has emerged as a cornerstone of this transformation, serving not only as a regulatory-friendly hub but also as a launchpad for government-backed blockchain innovation. At the same time, major institutional interest—particularly from Middle Eastern capital—is fueling confidence in XRP’s long-term utility and adoption.
Dubai Embraces XRP Ledger for Real Estate Tokenization
On May 26, the Dubai Land Authority (DLD) announced a landmark initiative: the launch of PRYPCO, the Middle East’s first government-led real estate tokenization project. Built on the XRP Ledger, this project enables fractional ownership of high-value properties with a minimum investment of just AED 2,000 (approximately $545).
Backed by the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and the Dubai Future Foundation, PRYPCO leverages Ctrl Alt’s PRYPCO Mint platform to tokenize real estate assets securely and efficiently. This aligns directly with Dubai’s Real Estate 2033 Strategy, which targets a $16.3 billion tokenized real estate market within the next decade.
Ripple, as a core contributor to XRPL, plays a critical role as the underlying technology provider. Unlike energy-intensive proof-of-work blockchains, XRPL uses the Ripple Protocol Consensus Algorithm (RPCA), enabling near-instant settlements without mining—making it ideal for scalable, sustainable asset tokenization.
Beyond real estate, XRPL is expanding its stablecoin ecosystem. In 2025, SG-FORGE plans to launch EURCV, a euro-pegged stablecoin, while Braza Group will introduce BBRL, tied to the Brazilian real. These developments reinforce XRPL’s vision: to become a multi-asset, multi-currency foundation for global finance.
Institutional Confidence in XRP Soars
The momentum isn’t limited to infrastructure. On May 29, VivoPower International (VVPR), a NASDAQ-listed energy firm, completed a $121 million private placement to pivot toward a crypto asset reserve strategy centered on XRP. Of that, **$100 million was led by Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud**, signaling strong endorsement from Gulf-based sovereign investors.
This strategic move underscores growing institutional appetite for digital assets backed by proven blockchain networks. With former SBI Ripple Asia executive Adam Traidman joining as advisory board chairman, VivoPower aims to integrate XRP into its long-term treasury operations—potentially inspiring other public companies to follow suit.
Ripple’s Broader Middle East Strategy Takes Shape
Ripple’s regional ambitions extend far beyond individual projects. In March 2024, it secured a regulatory license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), becoming the first compliant blockchain payment provider in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This milestone allows Ripple to offer compliant cross-border payment services across the UAE.
In May, Ripple deepened its financial integration through partnerships with Zand Bank, a digital bank, and fintech firm Mamo. Together, they’re embedding Ripple’s payment solutions into core banking systems to enable 24/7 international transfers. Zand Bank also plans to issue an AED-pegged stablecoin—further enhancing local digital currency adoption.
Meanwhile, Ripple’s own stablecoin, RLUSD, is gaining traction in decentralized finance (DeFi). With yields reaching up to 22.05% APY on Euler Finance and approximately 8–9% on Aave, RLUSD has attracted over $150 million in deposits. Its integration with Chainlink boosts price reliability, while collaborations with Revolut and Zero Hash expand its reach.
RLUSD is also being incorporated into Ripple Payments, facilitating cross-border transactions for clients like BKK Forex and iSend—especially once listed on Kraken.
Acquisition of Hidden Road: A Gateway to Institutional Finance
To strengthen its foothold in traditional finance (TradFi), Ripple announced in April the acquisition of Hidden Road, a prime brokerage firm, for $1.25 billion. The deal—paid in cash, XRP, and equity—aims to bridge institutional investors with blockchain markets.
Once finalized, this acquisition will allow Ripple to inject significant capital into Hidden Road’s operations and integrate RLUSD as collateral in prime brokerage products. Additionally, Ripple plans to explore using XRPL to streamline settlement processes—potentially reducing trade clearing times from days to seconds.
Hidden Road has already received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Abu Dhabi Global Market Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and plans to open an office in Abu Dhabi led by partner James Stickland. Insiders suggest members of the Abu Dhabi royal family may join the local entity’s board post-approval—a sign of deepening ties between Ripple and Gulf-region elites.
Tokenization-as-a-Service: Ripple’s Vision for the Future
Legal expert John Deaton, a vocal supporter of Ripple during its SEC case, views these moves as more than expansion—they represent a strategic convergence of DeFi and TradFi. With Hidden Road handling over $3 trillion in annual transaction volume and serving 300+ institutional clients, Ripple now has access to a powerful distribution channel for blockchain-based financial services.
Combined with Ripple Custody, its secure digital asset storage solution, and its existing payment and stablecoin infrastructure, Ripple is building what Deaton calls a "one-stop blockchain financial platform." The ultimate goal? To offer Tokenization-as-a-Service (TaaS)—a full-stack solution enabling banks and enterprises to tokenize assets, use them as collateral, and settle transactions seamlessly on-chain.
According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the digital asset custody market could surpass $16 trillion by 2030. By positioning XRPL as the foundational layer for asset tokenization, Ripple aims to capture a significant share of this emerging economy.
Regulatory Relief Fuels Global Rebound
Ripple’s resurgence is also tied to improved U.S. regulatory clarity. On May 9, 2024, it reached a settlement with the SEC: a $50 million fine and partial lifting of restrictions. The SEC dropped its appeal, effectively ending a four-year legal battle that had stalled XRP’s growth in American markets.
Building on this win, Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty submitted a supplemental filing urging broader regulatory reform. He argued that XRP is not a security and recommended a “safe harbor” framework for secondary market crypto trading—a move that could benefit the entire industry.
Additionally, the SEC has begun reviewing the WisdomTree XRP ETF application submitted via Cboe BZX. If approved, it would mark a watershed moment for XRP—opening doors to mainstream investment funds and retail investors alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is XRP considered a security after the SEC settlement?
A: While the SEC did not issue a blanket declaration, the settlement acknowledged that XRP sales to retail investors were not securities. Ripple continues advocating for full recognition of XRP as non-security under U.S. law.
Q: What makes the XRP Ledger suitable for real-world asset tokenization?
A: XRPL offers fast settlement (3–5 seconds), low fees (<$0.01), energy efficiency via RPCA consensus, and growing DeFi integrations—making it ideal for tokenizing real estate, commodities, and financial instruments.
Q: Why is Ripple focusing on the Middle East?
A: The region offers clear crypto regulations, strong government support for blockchain innovation, and access to vast pools of institutional capital—making it an ideal testing ground for global expansion.
Q: How does RLUSD generate high yields in DeFi?
A: RLUSD earns returns through lending protocols like Aave and Euler Finance, where it's used as collateral or borrowed against. Its stability and institutional backing increase demand and yield potential.
Q: What impact will the Hidden Road acquisition have on Ripple?
A: It positions Ripple as a gateway between Wall Street and Web3, enabling prime brokerage services, faster settlements via XRPL, and deeper integration with traditional financial institutions.
Q: Could an XRP ETF be approved soon?
A: The SEC has initiated formal review of the WisdomTree application—an important step forward. While no timeline is guaranteed, growing institutional adoption increases approval odds.
With regulatory hurdles receding and strategic alliances forming across Dubai and beyond, Ripple is no longer just a payments protocol—it’s evolving into a full-stack financial infrastructure provider. As RWAs go mainstream and global institutions seek compliant blockchain solutions, the Middle East may well become the proving ground for Ripple’s next chapter.
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