Ripple has obtained a licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), becoming the first blockchain payments provider authorized to operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). On March 13, the US-based company announced that businesses in the UAE can now leverage its services for crypto payment solutions. In the coming months, UAE-based financial institutions will also gain access to Ripple’s offerings to explore real-world applications of digital assets. Founded in 2012, Ripple provides enterprise-level blockchain and crypto solutions, with a primary focus on crypto liquidity and cross-border payment processing. The company oversees the decentralised XRP Ledger blockchain, which powers its native cryptocurrency, XRP. With a market capitalisation exceeding $130 billion (roughly Rs. 11,30,614 crore), XRP ranks as the fourth-largest cryptocurrency on the CoinMarketCap Index. Commenting on the development, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated, “We are entering an unprecedented period of growth for the crypto industry, driven by greater regulatory clarity around the world and increasing institutional adoption.” He further added that the UAE’s pro-regulatory stance on crypto positions it advantageously to capitalise on …