Ripple Expands to Bahrain Through Strategic Partnership With Bahrain Fintech Bay
Ripple has expanded its footprint in the Middle East through a , the Kingdom’s leading fintech hub and innovation center. The collaboration aims to accelerate blockchain adoption and strengthen Bahrain’s position as a key regional center for digital finance.
The agreement will focus on driving blockchain innovation, education, and practical use cases across Bahrain’s financial ecosystem. Ripple and BFB plan to co-develop pilot projects, educational programs, and ecosystem events designed to promote blockchain applications in areas such as cross-border payments, asset tokenization, and digital asset custody.
According to Ripple, the partnership will also explore the introduction of , and its institutional digital asset custody answers—subject to Bahrain’s regulatory approval.
“Our partnership with Bahrain Fintech Bay represents a shared vision to enable a more inclusive and efficient financial system,” said Navin Gupta, Managing Director for South Asia and MENA at Ripple. “Bahrain has demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to fintech regulation, and this collaboration allows us to contribute to that momentum.”
Bahrain Fintech Bay, established in 2018, has played a central role in nurturing the Kingdom’s fintech ecosystem through collaborations with regulators, banks, and global technology partners. Its CEO, Khalid Saad, described Ripple’s entry as a significant step for the local market.
“Ripple brings deep expertise in blockchain infrastructure and financial technology. Together, we aim to develop answers that align with Bahrain’s vision of becoming a digital economy leader,” Saad said.
Strengthening Ripple’s Middle East Strategy
Ripple’s Bahrain expansion follows a series of regulatory and strategic milestones across the Gulf. Earlier this year, , making it one of the first blockchain companies to gain approval under Dubai’s Virtual Assets framework.
With this move, Ripple continues to grow its presence in a region known for progressive digital asset regulation. Bahrain, in particular, was among the first countries in the Middle East to introduce comprehensive rules for crypto assets, creating an attractive environment for fintechs and blockchain innovators.
Industry analysts view the partnership as a calculated step in Ripple’s broader strategy to localize blockchain infrastructure and strengthen trust in regulated markets.
Ripple in Africa
Ripple’s expansion into the Middle East , where it introduced its USD-backed stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD), through partnerships with Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card.
Launched in late 2024, RLUSD rapidly gained traction, reaching a market cap of over $700 million as demand grew.
Ripple also collaborated with Mercy Corps Ventures in Kenya to test blockchain-based climate risk insurance using RLUSD, highlighting its broader potential for humanitarian and financial inclusion.
