Ripple is extending its presence in the Middle East through a new partnership with Bahrain Fintech Bay, the Kingdom’s leading fintech incubator. The collaboration aims to integrate Ripple’s blockchain and stablecoin infrastructure into regulated financial markets.
Building on Ripple’s DFSA license in Dubai earlier this year, the move reflects growing interest from Gulf institutions in adopting digital assets under clear regulatory frameworks.
“Bahrain has emerged as an early adopter of blockchain technology and was among the first jurisdictions globally to regulate cryptoassets,” said Reece Merrick, Ripple’s managing director for the Middle East and Africa. “We look forward to working with Bahrain Fintech Bay to build a strong local blockchain ecosystem and bring our RLUSD stablecoin and custody solutions to Bahrain’s financial institutions.”
Under the agreement, Ripple and Bahrain Fintech Bay will collaborate on pilot projects, educational programs, and accelerator initiatives, promoting use cases such as tokenization, cross-border payments, and stablecoin adoption. Ripple is also attending the Fintech Forward 2025 conference in Sakhir alongside regional banks, regulators, and global fintech firms.
“Bahrain has long been a financial services hub, and this partnership with Ripple strengthens our role in the digital assets and blockchain space,” said Suzy Al Zeerah, COO of Bahrain Fintech Bay. “It connects global innovators with the local ecosystem, creating opportunities for pilots, talent development, and cutting-edge financial solutions.”
Ripple, which holds more than 60 regulatory licenses globally, said the partnership positions Bahrain as a potential hub for compliant blockchain deployments in the Gulf. Its RLUSD stablecoin, designed for enterprise use and regulatory clarity, remains central to Ripple’s strategy of connecting tokenized assets with traditional payment systems.
