Ripple Partners with Bahrain Fintech Bay to Advance Blockchain and Payments Innovation

Highlights:

• Ripple has expanded its blockchain reach through Bahrain Fintech Bay to boost digital payments.
• The partnership will support pilot projects, training, and innovation across Bahrain’s growing financial ecosystem.
• Ripple partnered with Bahrain to promote RLUSD adoption and strengthen blockchain integration in the Gulf region.

Ripple has partnered with Bahrain Fintech Bay to expand its influence across the Gulf region. The collaboration will promote digital asset innovation and blockchain-based financial solutions. Both organizations plan to launch pilot programs focusing on cross-border payments, tokenization, and stablecoin applications powered by Ripple’s RLUSD.

Big news: @Ripple is expanding into the Kingdom of Bahrain! 🇧🇭

Through our new partnership with @FinTechBay we will drive adoption and education around blockchain, as well as support pilot projects across Bahrain’s digital asset ecosystem.

This move builds on Ripple’s growing…

— Reece Merrick (@reece_merrick) October 9, 2025

They will also facilitate fintech development via education and accelerator initiatives to develop local talent. Ripple aims to launch its digital asset custody and RLUSD services to the Bahraini financial institutions as soon as regulatory frameworks are prepared. Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, praised Bahrain’s leadership in blockchain regulation.

He said the country’s early regulatory approach makes it an ideal environment for innovation. Suzy Al Zeerah, Chief Operating Officer of Bahrain Fintech Bay, added that the partnership connects global innovators with Bahrain’s growing fintech ecosystem. She emphasized that it will create opportunities for pilot projects and encourage new blockchain-based financial solutions.

The partnership will also assist the Kingdom in developing a greater digital finance ecosystem and consolidate its position as a fintech hub in the Gulf. The initiative demonstrates how regional cooperation can accelerate blockchain adoption and modernize traditional payment systems.

Ripple Partners with Bahrain to Strengthen Fintech Strategy and Global Expansion

Bahrain continues to attract major global blockchain players because of its clear regulatory framework. The nation was one of the first to set rules for crypto and digital assets. Ripple’s entry reinforces its strategy of working with compliant markets to build trust and scale innovation.

Ripple already has over 60 regulatory licenses globally. These comprise a permit issued by the Dubai Financial Services Authority in March 2025. The firm is also developing its projects in Dubai in collaboration with Ctrl Alt. The project aims to enhance real estate title management on the XRP Ledger to enhance transparency and efficiency.

In addition to the Gulf, Ripple is taking its RLUSD stablecoin program to other locations. Recently, it collaborated with African payment companies, including Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card, to increase access to digital payments. Ripple is establishing Luxembourg as its headquarters to enter the EU via the MiCA framework. The company will position RLUSD as a compliant payment alternative to institutions through Ripple Payments Europe SA.

JUST IN: Ripple’s $RLUSD stablecoin now available to institutions in Africa through three new partnerships with Chipper Cash, VALR and Yellow Card. pic.twitter.com/AbLHSrF7yl

— Whale Insider (@WhaleInsider) September 4, 2025

Near-Term Milestones and Industry Engagement

The next milestone will be the presence of Ripple on Fintech Forward 2025, which is going to happen on October 8–9 in Sakhir, Bahrain. The event will unite regulatory bodies, fintech companies, and bank executives to address the future of digital finance.

Ripple is determined to demonstrate its regional success and discuss the future of blockchain payments with policymakers. The company will also present the results of its pilot projects at the forum. It will leverage the event to connect with new partners in the Middle East and North Africa.