Ripple is broadening its Middle East presence through a new partnership with Bahrain Fintech Bay, the Kingdom’s primary fintech incubator and ecosystem platform, as part of its push to integrate blockchain and stablecoin infrastructure into regulated financial markets.

The move follows Ripple’s Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) license earlier this year and reflects growing demand from Gulf institutions for digital asset adoption under clear regulatory frameworks.

“The Kingdom of Bahrain has emerged as an early adopter of blockchain technology and was among the first jurisdictions globally to regulate cryptoassets,” said Reece Merrick, managing director for the Middle East and Africa at Ripple. “We look forward to working with Bahrain Fintech Bay to build a thriving local blockchain ecosystem and offer our digital asset custody solutions and RLUSD stablecoin to Bahrain’s financial institutions.”

Under the agreement, Ripple and Bahrain Fintech Bay will collaborate on pilot programs, educational initiatives, and accelerator projects to expand use cases for tokenization, cross-border payments, and stablecoin adoption. Ripple is also participating in the Fintech Forward 2025 conference in Sakhir this week alongside regional banks, regulators, and global fintech firms.

“Bahrain has long been recognised as a financial services hub, and this legacy is now extending into digital assets and blockchain,” said Suzy Al Zeerah, COO of Bahrain Fintech Bay. “Our partnership with Ripple 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 worldwide, said the partnership positions Bahrain as a potential hub for compliant blockchain deployments in the Gulf region. Its RLUSD stablecoin, designed for enterprise use and regulatory clarity, remains central to Ripple’s strategy of linking tokenized assets with traditional payment infrastructure.