XRP Gains Momentum as Ripple Meets UAE Officials

XRP continues to make strategic advancements as Ripple executives engage with senior officials in the United Arab Emirates, signaling deepening collaboration in blockchain finance across the Middle East.

While U.S. President Donald Trump attended a formal state dinner in Qatar, Ripple’s leadership was concurrently making significant moves at the 2025 FinTech Summit hosted in Dubai. Monica Long, the President of Ripple, led the company’s delegation and held critical meetings with key UAE figures, including Ahmed bin Saeed, the Chairman of Emirates Group.

Ripple’s meeting with UAE officials revolved around expanding digital payment ecosystems and fostering financial innovation in the region. These high-level discussions come on the heels of a major regulatory milestone for Ripple. On March 13, 2025, the company secured approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), allowing Ripple to provide licensed digital payment services within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

This regulatory green light marks Ripple as the first blockchain payments company authorized to operate within one of the Middle East’s most prominent financial zones. Following this achievement, Ripple has ramped up its commitment to addressing systemic inefficiencies in cross-border transactions, particularly in regions where traditional banking lags behind technological advancements.

Ripple’s push in the Middle East seems to be paying off. The company noted increased interest from both crypto-native entities and conventional financial institutions. Market sentiment in the region also reflects strong optimism around blockchain’s ability to enhance global payments. Backing this trend, a 2024 Ripple-led survey revealed that 64% of finance leaders across the Middle East and Africa identified faster settlement as the biggest advantage of blockchain technology for cross-border payments.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump embarked on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East, beginning in Saudi Arabia where he met with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. His agenda continued in Doha, Qatar, where he was greeted by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. The diplomatic visit culminated in several economic accords, including a landmark contract for Boeing aircraft. According to the White House, the aircraft deal could inject as much as $1.2 trillion into the global economy.

Trump’s Middle Eastern tour also played host to a flurry of tech announcements. Several U.S.-based technology companies unveiled major artificial intelligence initiatives in the Gulf states, highlighting the region’s expanding commitment to next-generation technologies. In parallel, U.S. firms secured $600 billion in new business pledges from Saudi Arabia, reinforcing America’s growing economic ties in the region.

Of particular note is a substantial deal being led by an Abu Dhabi government-backed investment fund, centered around a dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by World Liberty Financial. The $2 billion agreement involves deploying the stablecoin USD1, which is tied to the Trump family through their majority shareholding in the issuing company. As the firm’s leading crypto advocate, President Trump and his family stand to benefit from the growing adoption of the USD1 token in global financial exchanges.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

The convergence of governmental diplomacy and corporate blockchain strategy highlights the increasing synergy between the U.S. and Middle Eastern financial ecosystems. With its newly obtained regulatory footing in Dubai and its active role in shaping the region’s digital payment landscape, Ripple is positioning XRP as a critical player in the next phase of global financial transformation.