Ripple is broadening its Middle East footprint through a 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.
Following Ripple’s DFSA license in Dubai earlier this year, the move underscores growing interest from Gulf institutions in adopting digital assets within clear regulatory frameworks.
“Bahrain has been an early adopter of blockchain technology and one of the first jurisdictions 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 provide our RLUSD stablecoin and custody solutions to financial institutions, while supporting a robust local blockchain ecosystem.”
The partnership will support pilot projects, educational initiatives, and accelerator programs, focusing on 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 companies.
“Bahrain has long been recognized as a financial services hub, and this partnership strengthens its leadership in digital assets and blockchain,” said Suzy Al Zeerah, COO of Bahrain Fintech Bay. “It creates opportunities for pilots, talent development, and innovative financial solutions.”
Ripple, which holds over 60 regulatory licenses worldwide, said the collaboration positions Bahrain as a potential hub for compliant blockchain deployments in the Gulf. Its RLUSD stablecoin, designed for enterprise use and regulatory clarity, continues to play a central role in connecting tokenized assets with traditional payment systems.
