Ripple UK Subsidiary Gains FCA Approval with Service Restrictions

Highlights:

• Ripple secures FCA approval for UK branch, allowing electronic money and payment services.
• Ripple Markets UK registration may affect stablecoin Ripple USD and future crypto offerings.
• Some Ripple services still need FCA consent before launching to retail clients or agents.

Cryptocurrency company Ripple has made a key move in the UK by getting approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for its local branch, Ripple Markets UK. The branch now has an Electronic Money Institution registration and follows the UK’s Money Laundering Rules. This lets it issue electronic money and offer payment services.

JUST IN: 🇬🇧 Ripple obtains registration with the Financial Conduct Authority through its UK subsidiary. pic.twitter.com/9HR7SW0fPO

— Whale Insider (@WhaleInsider) January 9, 2026

This approval comes as the FCA sets a schedule for new crypto rules. All companies under anti-money laundering rules must apply for full Financial Services and Markets Act approval by October 2027. The process starts in September 2026. Companies applying late can continue existing contracts, but cannot start new regulated activities. 

Ripple UK Gets FCA Approval with Service Restrictions

Even with the EMI registration, some services are still limited. Ripple Markets UK cannot issue electronic money or offer payment services to consumers, small businesses, or charities. It is also not allowed to run crypto ATMs, provide retail services, or hire agents without the FCA’s written permission.

Ripple’s update comes as Ripple Labs president Monica Long confirmed the company has no plans for an IPO soon. She said the company still intends to stay private, following a November fundraising that valued Ripple at $40 billion.

The FCA approval shows the UK’s effort to include digital assets in its financial system. Regulators are consulting on rules for crypto trading, lending, and staking to create a safe yet competitive environment. Discussions continue how UK rules should match EU MiCA regulations or traditional banking standards.

Policymakers aim to stop illegal finance while keeping crypto adoption growing, as other countries compete to attract firms. Ripple’s UK expansion may strengthen its ability to offer regulated stablecoins, including Ripple USD (RLUSD). Full commercial use, however, depends on further FCA approvals, which the company must secure before expanding services beyond current restrictions.

XRP Rises as Ripple Expands in the UK

XRP, Ripple’s token for payments and settlements, reacted well to the news. At press time, it traded around $2.09, up over 7% in the past week, according to CoinGecko. Jake Claver, CEO of Digital Ascension Group, said XRP is being used more for real payments, not just trading. Big banks and financial firms are buying XRP to send money fast across borders. One XRP token can handle many payments in a single day.

Claver believes XRP may become essential for companies managing international payments. As global trade expands, speedier transactions are increasingly important. Companies may use XRP in order to remain competitive and ensure frictionless payments. XRP enhances efficiency as well. Liquidity providers do not have to maintain cash in numerous foreign bank accounts. They can hold XRP only when required. This frees capital and reduces idle cash.

The global financial system runs on XRP whether you like it or not. Big banks are quietly loading up because they know what's coming. One #XRP can power multiple cross-border transactions daily. Your favorite companies will soon NEED #XRP to survive in global trade. The writing…

— Jake Claver, QFOP (@beyond_broke) January 5, 2026