Ripple Targets Key Areas in the Middle East and Africa: XRP Expansion in the Pipeline?

• In an X post, Ripple executive Reece Merrick highlighted key crypto trends that will shape the Middle East and Africa in 2025.
• According to Merrick, MEA banks, led by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, are adopting blockchain for faster payments and tokenized assets, with Ripple as a favored choice.

Ripple has carved out a position for itself in the cryptocurrency landscape, focusing specifically on cross-border transactions while forging strong partnerships with financial institutions. As the adoption of XRP continues to grow, its value is poised for a substantial increase in 2025.

Recently, Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa (MEA), took to X to emphasize the company’s commitment to enhancing the digital asset ecosystem throughout the MEA region. Notably, Ripple’s impact is also extending into Asia, where an impressive 80% of banks are now integrating XRP into their financial systems.

The UAE’s Growth as a Digital Asset Hub

As stated by Merrick, the UAE is rapidly establishing itself as a global hub for digital assets, propelled by progressive regulations and robust government support for blockchain innovation. With an emphasis on the utility of stablecoins, the region is laying the groundwork for the future of finance.

A monumental shift is underway as the UAE embraces stablecoins as legal tender. With dirham-backed coins and frameworks for foreign stablecoins, the country is poised to create a safer, faster, and more inclusive financial ecosystem, fundamentally revolutionizing cross-border payments. Notably, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the XRP Ledger position it as an ideal tool for facilitating international remittances.

This transformation is particularly evident in the remittance landscape across the MENA region, which is undergoing a crypto-driven makeover. By leveraging stablecoins, the UAE is spearheading efforts to reduce costs and expedite transfers, thereby enhancing connectivity between the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.

Despite facing regulatory challenges from the SEC, Ripple has firmly established its presence in the UAE. Last year, it received preliminary approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to enhance its end-to-end payment system. This approval enables Ripple to expand its cross-border payment services, including Ripple Payments Direct (RPD), to a broader audience in the UAE. 

Additionally, Ripple partnered with the DIFC Innovation Hub in Dubai, fostering blockchain innovation in a region that hosts over 1,000 tech firms and venture capitalists. This collaboration is a natural progression from Ripple’s 2021 commitment to invest 1 billion XRP in the global development and use of the XRP Ledger. Furthermore, the National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) joined the RippleNet network in 2020, further solidifying Ripple’s foothold in the region.

African fintech companies, such as MFS Africa, are actively integrating Ripple’s solutions to streamline cross-border transactions, contributing to this regional evolution. As more nations establish crypto-friendly regulations, Ripple is poised for widespread global adoption, positioning itself to eclipse Ethereum as a major altcoin.

The potential approval of an XRP ETF by the SEC would further bolster Ripple’s stance in the market, enhancing its legitimacy and attractiveness to investors and institutions alike. Currently, XRP has surged by 0.42% in 24 hours to $2.47, fueled by a general recovery in the cryptocurrency market and a boost in network activity.