XRP News Today: Abu Dhabi's ADGM Establishes Global Digital Asset Benchmark with RLUSD Approval

Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin has been formally recognized as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token by Abu Dhabi's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), marking a pivotal step in its institutional adoption across the Middle East. The approval, announced on November 27, 2025, enables authorized entities within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to utilize RLUSD for regulated activities, including collateral, lending, and prime brokerage services. ADGM, a globally recognized financial hub, emphasized its commitment to fostering innovation while maintaining high regulatory standards, positioning the UAE as a model for digital-asset governance.

RLUSD, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin launched in late 2024 under a New York Department of Financial Services charter, now holds a market capitalization exceeding $1.2 billion.

Jack McDonald, Ripple's Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, highlighted the approval as a testament to the company's focus on compliance and institutional trust. "This milestone reinforces RLUSD as a go-to USD stablecoin for major institutions," he stated, noting its growing use in collateral and payments. The stablecoin's reserves are fully backed by high-quality liquid assets, with third-party attestation and segregated reserves ensuring transparency.

The regulatory endorsement aligns with Ripple's broader strategy to expand its footprint in the Middle East, where it has secured partnerships with regional banks and fintechs. Zand Bank and Mamo, two UAE-based institutions, already leverage Ripple's blockchain solutions for cross-border payments. Additionally, Ripple's recent acquisition of Hidden Road-a multi-asset prime broker now rebranded as Ripple Prime-has accelerated the integration of XRP and RLUSD into institutional collateral frameworks. The firm now serves over 300 institutions, clearing $3 trillion annually across markets.

Beyond financial services, RLUSD's utility is extending into healthcare. XRP Healthcare LLC, a Dubai-incorporated company, has expanded its HIPAA-grade, open-source XRPH Wallet to the U.S. and East African pharmacy markets. The wallet facilitates real-time payments in XRP, XRPH, and RLUSD, with settlement finality in 3–5 seconds and minimal fees. Targeting 3–5% market penetration within five years, the company aims to onboard 12,000–20,000 healthcare providers across 400,000 access points in the U.S. and East Africa. This initiative underscores RLUSD's potential to streamline cross-border medical supply chains and reduce transaction costs in a $3.5 trillion global healthcare payments sector.

ADGM officials praised Ripple's compliance-driven approach, with Chief Market Development Officer Arvind Ramamurthy stating the approval "reinforces ADGM's role in setting global benchmarks for digital asset regulation" according to Ripple. Reece Merrick, Ripple's Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, noted the UAE's leadership in shaping a regulatory environment conducive to innovation, adding that "surging interest" is driving RLUSD's adoption.

The approval of RLUSD in Abu Dhabi signals a broader shift in institutional finance toward regulated stablecoins. With its integration into cross-border payments, capital markets, and now healthcare, RLUSD is poised to become a cornerstone of digital-asset infrastructure in the Middle East and beyond according to market analysts.