XRP: Ripple’s Hidden Road Expands to Abu Dhabi with Royal Ties

XRP is gaining strategic ground as Ripple’s acquisition target, Hidden Road, takes steps to expand operations into Abu Dhabi—a move that aligns with Ripple’s growing international ambitions in crypto finance.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Hidden Road, a major prime broker involved in both crypto and traditional financial services, is preparing to open a new office in Abu Dhabi. This announcement follows Ripple’s recent $1.25 billion acquisition agreement with the firm—marking a strategic move to bolster its institutional service offerings.

Leadership at the new regional office will fall under the guidance of James Stickland, a partner at Hidden Road. Stickland, who previously served as CEO of Elwood Technologies and Elwood Asset Management, brings a wealth of experience from the digital asset space and is recognized for his role in growing institutions backed by major financial figures like Alan Howard. According to reports, he joined Hidden Road over a year ago, using his expertise to help steer the company toward broader opportunities.

In a press release shared with CoinDesk, Hidden Road confirmed the expansion, adding that it has secured in-principle approval (IPA) from Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), operating under the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This regulatory nod allows the firm to set up initial operations while it awaits full authorization required to commence prime brokerage and clearing services in the UAE.

Another intriguing aspect of this expansion is a potential partnership at the highest levels. One insider noted that a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family may join the board of Hidden Road’s local entity—pending full regulatory approval—a development that could lend significant local credibility and strategic connections to the venture.

Once it achieves full licensing, Hidden Road will be cleared to offer its prime brokerage suite—including trading, financing, and custody support—to institutional clients within the region. These services form the backbone of institutional market infrastructure, enabling large-scale participants to access liquidity and manage risk effectively.

Ripple’s move to acquire Hidden Road is part of a broader strategy aimed at becoming a central player in institutional crypto finance. CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated that the acquisition will not only inject substantial capital into Hidden Road but also support ambitious goals like expanding the firm’s global footprint and fortifying its prime brokerage and financing operations. Ripple envisions transforming Hidden Road into the world’s leading non-bank prime broker in digital assets.

This foray into the Middle East by Ripple and Hidden Road is part of a trend among digital asset firms. For example, Circle, the company behind USDC—the world’s second-largest stablecoin—also recently secured in-principle approval from Abu Dhabi regulators, signaling its intent to grow throughout the region.

Hidden Road has also secured regulatory clearance in the United States. Just last month, the firm obtained approval from FINRA to function as a broker-dealer, a move that strengthens its fixed income platform and positions it to serve a broader institutional client base.

This development reinforces Ripple’s ongoing effort to intensify its presence across global financial hubs while deepening the integration of XRP into both traditional and emerging financial systems. With regulatory wins on both U.S. and Middle Eastern fronts, Ripple and Hidden Road are setting the stage for a new phase of institutional blockchain adoption.

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

Read more: Hidden Road, Set to Be Acquired by Ripple, Wins U.S. Broker-Dealer License