XRP News Today: Secure, Compliant Crypto Custody Debuts in Africa as Ripple and Absa Drive Institutional Adoption

Ripple has forged a strategic partnership with Absa Bank, one of South Africa's largest financial institutions, to introduce institutional-grade crypto custody services in Africa. This collaboration marks Ripple's first major custody venture on the continent, leveraging the bank's extensive customer base across 10 countries to provide secure, compliant storage for cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets, according to a Bankless Times report. The move aligns with growing demand for regulated digital infrastructure in Africa, where financial institutions and fintechs are increasingly adopting blockchain to modernize payments and cross-border transactions, a Coinpedia article noted.

Under the agreement, Absa will integrate Ripple's enterprise-grade custody technology, enabling it to offer scalable solutions for managing digital assets, Phemex reported in its coverage of the deal (Phemex). Robyn Lawson, Absa's Head of Digital Product and Custody, emphasized that the partnership allows the bank to deliver "secure, compliant, and robust" custody options without reinventing technical infrastructure, TechCentral reported (TechCentral). For Ripple, the deal expands its global custody network to five continents, reinforcing its role as a back-end provider of blockchain-based infrastructure for regulated institutions, according to a Zawya press release (Zawya).

The partnership underscores Africa's evolving financial landscape. According to Ripple's 2025 New Value Report, cited in the Bankless Times coverage, 64% of Middle East and Africa finance leaders view faster settlement and reduced transaction costs as key drivers for blockchain adoption. This aligns with Absa's strategy to position itself at the forefront of digital asset innovation. Reece Merrick, Ripple's Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, noted that Africa is undergoing a "major shift in how value is stored and exchanged," with secure custody and regulatory compliance becoming critical for institutional adoption, as noted by Coinpedia.

Regulatory clarity is a pivotal factor in this expansion. Africa's regulatory environment for digital assets has improved significantly, with countries like South Africa and Nigeria establishing formal frameworks for crypto trading and custody, Coinpedia reported. Ripple's custody platform, certified for regulatory compliance and offering detailed audit trails, meets these demands, the Bankless Times article explained. The partnership serves as a test case for wider adoption among African banks, blending blockchain innovation with institutional standards.

Ripple's presence in Africa has been growing steadily. Earlier this year, the firm partnered with payments provider Chipper Cash to power crypto-enabled transactions and launched its USD-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, across platforms like VALR and Yellow Card, CryptoNews reported (CryptoNews). The stablecoin's expansion into Africa has provided regulated access to a stable digital dollar, addressing cross-border payment needs, and these initiatives position Ripple as a foundational infrastructure provider for tokenized finance in the region, TechCentral coverage noted.

The timing of the partnership is strategic. Sub-Saharan Africa processed over $205 billion in on-chain crypto transactions between July 2024 and June 2025, a 52% year-on-year increase, Coinpedia reported. With demand for secure digital asset infrastructure rising, Ripple and Absa aim to set a benchmark for compliance and operational excellence. Their collaboration not only supports institutional clients but also signals a broader shift toward mainstream adoption of tokenized assets in Africa, Lifestyle & Tech reported (Lifestyle & Tech).