Points of Focus:

• Abu Dhabi’s FSRA approved RLUSD as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token, allowing licensed institutions in ADGM to use it for lending, payments, and settlements.
• RLUSD is issued under a New York DFS charter, ensuring strict reserve management and compliance.
• LMAX Digital listed RLUSD in March 2025, expanding its use in professional trading and on-chain settlement.

Ripple has reached a major regulatory milestone: its U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD, has been officially recognized as an “Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token” by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). 

What the approval means

• Institutional-grade access inside ADGM: With FSRA recognition, RLUSD becomes eligible for use by licensed financial institutions operating within ADGM. That includes activities such as payments, collateralization, lending, and prime-brokerage services, provided the firms meet regulatory requirements. 
• Regulatory clarity under a robust framework: ADGM maintains a well-defined regulatory structure for “Fiat-Referenced Tokens” (FRTs), requiring 1:1 fiat backing, reserve transparency, redemption rights, and other safeguards. Only FRTs approved by the FSRA, like RLUSD, may be used in regulated services.
• Stronger footing for regional expansion: This approval bolsters Ripple’s institutional ambitions across the Middle East and reinforces RLUSD’s appeal as a compliant, transparent stablecoin, potentially accelerating adoption among banks, fintechs, and payment providers in the region.

Ripple builds momentum in the Middle East

Launched in late 2024, RLUSD has already surpassed $1 billion in market capitalization, reflecting growing demand for regulated stablecoins.

Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, called the FSRA approval “another milestone” for the company, noting that RLUSD is now approved for use as lending collateral within ADGM.

Another milestone for @Ripple here in the Middle East: $RLUSD is now approved for use as lending collateral within @ADGlobalMarket

This year has seen some awesome momentum for Ripple in the Middle East.

Can’t wait to keep building on these solid foundations as we head into…

— Reece Merrick (@reece_merrick) November 27, 2025

He added that 2025 has brought “awesome momentum” for Ripple in the region and said the team is eager to build on these foundations heading into 2026.

RLUSD gains institutional traction and compliance credibility

Earlier in March 2025, LMAX Digital, one of the leading institutional crypto exchanges, listed RLUSD, signaling growing acceptance of Ripple’s stablecoin among professional trading platforms. The listing strengthened RLUSD’s role in on-chain settlement and institutional liquidity, providing a compliant alternative to unregulated stablecoins commonly used in crypto markets.

At the same time, RLUSD has secured major regulatory credentials. The token is issued under a charter from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), ensuring strict oversight of its reserves. 

Ripple maintains full 1:1 fiat backing, supported by independent third-party attestations and transparent redemption rights, standards designed to meet institutional expectations for stability and compliance. 

Together, these measures have positioned RLUSD as one of the most regulated and transparent stablecoins currently in circulation.