The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has officially granted permission for the use of the RLUSD stablecoin, developed by Ripple Labs, in the special economic zone of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). From now on, this digital asset can be integrated into the services of companies operating within the DIFC.
This is reported by Business • Media
RLUSD Strengthens Ripple Labs’ Position in the UAE Financial Sector
The first partners to integrate RLUSD into their products will be the neobank Zand Bank and the payment platform Mamo. Ripple Labs signed agreements with these companies in mid-May 2025, marking an important step in expanding the stablecoin’s presence in the UAE market.
DFSA is a key regulator that determines the list of permitted crypto assets for circulation in the DIFC. In addition to RLUSD, currently, only the stablecoins from Circle — USDC and EURC — have been granted permission for circulation. Thus, RLUSD has become the third stablecoin officially allowed for use in this economic zone.
“The digital economy of the UAE is vibrant and incredibly dynamic. We are witnessing tremendous interest from businesses of all sizes in cross-border payment solutions and digital asset storage,” said Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, Rhys Merrick.
Tokenization Projects and New Opportunities for Companies in DIFC
In addition to being implemented in financial products, RLUSD and the XRP Ledger blockchain are involved in a large-scale project by the Dubai Land Department (DLD), which aims to tokenize real estate. This enhances the transparency and efficiency of real estate transactions by incorporating modern digital technologies.
The DFSA’s recognition of RLUSD provides companies in the DIFC with new opportunities to develop innovative payment solutions and implement digital financial services. It also confirms the growing interest of businesses in the UAE in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies. Currently, the RLUSD, USDC, and EURC stablecoins are the only ones granted circulation rights in this special economic zone.