XRP News Today: Ripple Launches Permissioned DEX on XRP Ledger for Institutional Trading

Ripple has launched a permissioned decentralized exchange (DEX) on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), marking a significant milestone in the platform's evolution. This new feature, introduced as part of the XRPL 2.5.0 upgrade, brings institutional-grade compliance-focused capabilities to the XRPL DEX. The permissioned DEX allows regulated financial institutions to participate in decentralized trading while adhering to regulatory requirements, thereby expanding access to new market participants and driving liquidity.

The permissioned DEX introduces credential-gated domains within the XRPL's decentralized exchange, enabling DEX operators to control participation for regulatory compliance. This feature is part of the XLS-81 amendment, which also includes permission delegation capabilities aimed at improving the overall functionality and security of the platform. The update also introduces a range of bug fixes affecting Remote Procedure Call (RPC) functionalities, ensuring a smoother user experience.

Ripple is pushing the XRP Ledger into a new phase, designed for big players in finance. The company has officially launched a Permissioned Decentralized Exchange (DEX) on the XRPL, giving regulated institutions a way to access DeFi without sacrificing compliance. It’s a major shift aimed at solving one of the biggest hurdles in crypto adoption: how to bring institutions into decentralized systems while still keeping regulators happy.

Unlike open DEX platforms anyone can access, this one is permissioned – meaning only approved users can trade. Institutions are added to an allowlist, and they can only trade with others in the same group, known as a permissioned domain. But here’s the twist: even though it’s permissioned, it still supports permissionless assets like XRP, stablecoins, or wrapped crypto. That’s a big win for usability. Each permissioned DEX runs independently within the XRPL and can host unlimited trading pairs. The structure gives financial institutions a way to use decentralized tech while sticking to strict compliance requirements.

Ripple says this move is all about unlocking real-world use of DeFi in a way that’s scalable and compliant. In their press release, they explained that institutions can now “trade or move value on the XRPL Decentralized Exchange (DEX) without compromising on compliance, scalability, or decentralization.” Ripple is eyeing serious use cases like FX swaps between stablecoins and fiat, cross-border B2B payments, payroll and contractor payouts, and corporate treasury management.

Yes, it might sound boring at first glance. But for years, traditional finance has stayed away from DeFi – mostly because of compliance risks. Ripple’s Permissioned DEX is a direct answer to that, giving institutions a space that feels familiar but still uses decentralized rails. And because it’s built on the XRP Ledger, trades are low-cost, fast, and don’t rely on intermediaries. It’s a strong case for why institutional DeFi might finally be ready to take off and Ripple clearly wants to lead that charge.

The launch of the permissioned DEX was highlighted at Apex 2025, a major event held over June 10-12, which brought together builders, researchers, institutions, and innovators from around the world. The event showcased how the XRPL is powering real-world finance at a global scale, with major product launches, insightful panels, and powerful institutional endorsements. Ripple's CTO David Schwartz and Head of Product at RippleX, Jazzi Cooper, kicked off the event by reflecting on the XRPL’s evolution over the past 13 years and laying the groundwork for future developments, including stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), and compliance-first programmability.

One of the key announcements at Apex 2025 was the launch of Ondo Finance’s tokenized U.S. Treasuries (OUSG) on the XRPL. This breakthrough enables Qualified Purchasers to access tokenized U.S. Treasuries 24/7, using Ripple’s enterprise-grade stablecoin, RLUSD, for settlement. This development unlocks programmable liquidity for capital markets and real-time access to one of the world’s safest assets.

The event also saw the introduction of five new stablecoins on the XRPL: USDC, XSGD, EURØP, RLUSD, and USDB. Each of these stablecoins brings region-specific utility, regulatory compliance, and fiat-backed credibility, enhancing liquidity and settlement options across continents. Additionally, the first digital commercial paper (DCP), administered by Guggenheim Treasury Services on the XRPL, was launched in partnership with Zeconomy. This fixed income asset, secured by U.S. Treasuries, is rated Prime-1 by Moody’s and is now part of XRPL’s growing institutional-grade RWA suite.

Ripple also announced a strategic collaboration with Web3 Salon to support Japan’s next generation of blockchain startups. Backed by JETRO and Ripple’s Japan & Korea Fund, the program offers grants of up to $200K and ecosystem-wide support. This initiative underscores Ripple's commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the blockchain ecosystem.

The conversations, launches, and energy at Apex 2025 all point to one thing: the XRPL is becoming a backbone for institutional-grade finance. With enterprise-grade features like Credentials, Permissioned Domains, Permissioned DEX, and Multi-Purpose Tokens on the horizon, the XRPL is shaping up to be the go-to blockchain for tokenized financial infrastructure. The platform is evolving to meet the needs of modern finance without compromising its public, decentralized foundation.