The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has approved Ripple’s dollar-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD, making it the first American stablecoin to be regulated under its crypto token system.
More than 7,000 financial institutions can now incorporate the stablecoin into treasury management, digital asset services, and cross-border payments. This is because of its acceptance as a digital asset in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
RLUSD Adoption and Integration in DIFC
RLUSD can now be integrated into Ripple’s DFSA-licensed payments platform and leveraged by other DFSA-regulated entities within the DIFC.
The DIFC is a globally recognized financial hub serving the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It handles over $40 billion in international payments annually.
Local partners such as Zand Bank and fintech startup Mamo plan to be among the first to utilize RLUSD for real-world applications, including payments and digital asset custody.
Ripple Expansion in the Middle East
The approval comes after Ripple recently received full authorization in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Furthermore, the UAE has formed several significant alliances. For instance, working with Zand Bank, Mamo, and Ctrl Alt on a tokenization initiative for Dubai’s Land Department in the real estate space. These programs demonstrate Ripple’s commitment to supporting Dubai in achieving its goal of becoming a global leader in blockchain technology and digital banking.
With a current market valuation of $310 million, RLUSD competes in the $250 billion global stablecoin market. The market is dominated by USDC from Circle and USDT from Tether. As more businesses seek compliant, transparent, and enterprise-ready digital assets for international trade, the DFSA’s clearance may pave the way for broader adoption of U.S.-regulated stablecoins in the Middle East and beyond.
As the first U.S. stablecoin to secure DFSA recognition, RLUSD sets a new standard for regulatory compliance and cross-border utility. This could potentially reshape how institutions approach digital payments and blockchain-based finance.
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