TLDR
- Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has been approved for use within the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
- The Financial Services Regulatory Authority has officially recognized RLUSD as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token.
- RLUSD can now be used by ADGM-licensed firms in regulated financial activities.
- Ripple confirmed the approval on Thursday and emphasized its importance for enterprise clients.
- RLUSD was launched in late 2024 under a New York DFS trust charter and now exceeds $1.2 billion in supply.
Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin RLUSD has received approval for use in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The token is now an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token under the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). This designation permits ADGM-licensed firms to use RLUSD in regulated activities, Ripple confirmed Thursday.
RLUSD Gains Regulatory Clearance in ADGM
The FSRA designation offers RLUSD a pathway to operate inside one of the strictest digital asset jurisdictions. This places RLUSD alongside a select group of approved tokens inside ADGM’s regulated ecosystem. Ripple emphasized that the clearance provides legal clarity for its enterprise clients in the region.
RLUSD was launched in late 2024 under a New York Department of Financial Services trust charter. The token offers defined reserve rules and guaranteed redemption rights to holders. It has grown past $1.2 billion in circulation, according to data from CoinGecko.
This approval gives Ripple expanded reach across the Middle East, a region embracing tokenized settlement technology. “This status strengthens our position in a highly regulated and progressive financial zone,” Ripple said. Banks and payment providers across the Gulf are already integrating RLUSD into transaction workflows.
Ripple is embedding RLUSD directly into its cross-border payment stack for institutional use. The stablecoin now supports collateral and settlement flows for Ripple’s enterprise clients. This move follows earlier integration efforts across Bahrain and other Gulf states.
Firms in the region are using RLUSD to settle high-volume, cross-border payments with fewer regulatory constraints. Its structure as a fully backed token enhances trust among financial institutions. Ripple sees the token as infrastructure rather than a speculative instrument.
Zand Bank in the UAE and Absa in Africa have adopted Ripple’s rails this year. Their integration reflects confidence in RLUSD’s compliance structure. With approval secured, Ripple continues pushing RLUSD into regulated banking corridors.
The FSRA recognition adds a jurisdictional boost for Ripple’s strategy. RLUSD becomes a compliant choice for financial entities under ADGM supervision. That sets it apart from several competitors facing hurdles in other regions.
Market Growth and Future Use Cases for RLUSD
RLUSD ranks as the 10th-largest stablecoin by market cap as of this week. The token has seen steady institutional demand since launch. CoinGecko confirms RLUSD’s supply now exceeds $1.2 billion.
The approval allows Ripple to serve institutions needing compliant USD tokens in the Middle East. It also supports expansion into capital market applications. The token’s integration continues across Ripple’s enterprise-level offerings.
Ripple plans to keep RLUSD within regulated financial environments only. Its features cater to institutional-grade compliance standards. The company is targeting markets that require strict reserve and audit transparency.
The ADGM decision also confirms the region’s approach to token classification. Authorities are enforcing strict definitions for stablecoins and digital assets. RLUSD’s approval reflects alignment with that regulatory framework.
Ripple intends to scale RLUSD within payment corridors that value legal clarity. Its trust-based structure appeals to banks and licensed money firms. The token is positioned to serve as a settlement medium rather than a volatile asset.


