Ripple’s dollar-pegged stablecoin was cleared to be used by establishments in Abu Dhabi after profitable recognition as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token by the native watchdog.
In a Thursday announcement, Ripple stated the approval permits regulated companies to deploy Ripple USD (RLUSD) contained in the Abu Dhabi World Market’s (ADGM) monetary zone, a global monetary middle and free zone situated on Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands in Abu Dhabi.
“With a market capitalization of over $1 billion and rising adoption in core monetary makes use of like collateral and funds, RLUSD is rapidly turning into a go-to USD stablecoin for main establishments,” stated Jack McDonald, senior vp of stablecoins at Ripple.
The inexperienced gentle got here from the Monetary Providers Regulatory Authority, which oversees exercise within the ADGM. Underneath the choice, corporations licensed by the regulator can use RLUSD for permitted actions, offered they meet compliance necessities tied to fiat-referenced tokens, together with reserve administration and disclosure obligations.
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Ripple’s push into the UAE
In October 2024, Ripple revealed it was pursuing a license from the Dubai Monetary Providers Authority (DFSA) as a part of its push to broaden digital-asset companies within the UAE, securing in-principle approval later that month.
In March, the corporate confirmed it had acquired full regulatory approval, permitting it to supply cross-border crypto fee companies contained in the Dubai Worldwide Monetary Centre (DIFC), a serious free financial zone with its personal regulatory framework.
In June, the DFSA authorized RLUSD to be used by corporations working contained in the DIFC, permitting the stablecoin for use for regulated actions equivalent to funds and treasury administration.
Within the UAE, Ripple has additionally signed up Zand Financial institution and fintech app Mamo as early customers of its blockchain-based funds stack, Ripple Funds.
RLUSD, launched in late 2024, is issued underneath a limited-purpose belief constitution from the New York Division of Monetary Providers. It’s pegged 1:1 to the US greenback and absolutely backed by money and equivalents.
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UAE legislation pulls DeFi and Web3 underneath central financial institution oversight
Earlier this week, the UAE handed a sweeping new central financial institution legislation that brings decentralized finance (DeFi) and far of the Web3 sector underneath formal regulatory oversight.
Federal Decree Legislation No. 6 of 2025, in drive since September 2025, requires protocols, platforms and infrastructure suppliers concerned in funds, lending, custody, exchanges or funding companies to acquire licenses from the Central Financial institution of the UAE by September 2026.
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