Ripple is gearing up to introduce its own USD-backed stablecoin to compete with established players like USDT and USDC in the market. The favorable regulatory landscape in Dubai has become a crucial factor in Ripple’s strategic plans for expansion in the Middle East.
During a recent conversation, Reece Merrick, the Managing Director of Ripple for the Middle East and Africa, expressed the company’s intention to launch a new stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. Merrick highlighted the growing popularity of stablecoins and Ripple’s eagerness to make a significant impact in this sector. He specifically pointed to Dubai’s progressive regulations as a key driver behind Ripple’s decision to broaden its operations in the Middle East and Africa.
Merrick praised Dubai’s forward-thinking approach to regulations, which has created an ideal environment for Ripple’s continued growth. With a presence in the region for four years, Ripple has capitalized on Dubai’s supportive stance towards fintech to promote the adoption of crypto and blockchain technologies. The city’s regulatory framework has paved the way for numerous opportunities, making it an attractive hub for Ripple’s upcoming initiatives.
The stablecoin market, currently valued at $150 billion, is projected to reach $2.8-$3 trillion by 2028. Merrick emphasized the importance of compliance and regulation in this expanding market, underlining Ripple’s commitment to maintaining high standards of security and adherence to laws. The new stablecoin aims to meet the rising demand for efficient global payment solutions, particularly from financial institutions.
Ripple President, Monica Long, echoed Merrick’s sentiments by highlighting the company’s track record of trust and compliance over the past decade. She explained that the introduction of a USD-backed stablecoin aligns with customer preferences and Ripple’s mission to improve global payment systems. Long stated that the stablecoin represents a natural progression for Ripple, complementing its existing cross-border payment infrastructure.
Ripple’s focus on Dubai is part of a broader strategy to capitalize on regions with favorable regulatory environments. Dubai’s forward-looking regulations and abundant growth opportunities in the fintech and blockchain sectors have positioned it as a key location for Ripple’s expansion. The recent Crypto Expo Dubai 2024 further emphasized Dubai’s potential as a significant player in the global cryptocurrency arena.
In addition to the stablecoin venture, Long discussed the potential for XRP-spot ETFs, emphasizing the regulatory clarity surrounding XRP and its strong market presence. Long highlighted XRP’s consistent ranking among the top ten crypto assets by market capitalization and substantial daily trading volume, indicating its suitability for ETFs.
Ripple’s strategic partnerships could further enhance XRP’s value, with recent plans by the Russian President to incorporate XRP into an independent payment system for cross-border transactions. This move has the potential to significantly boost XRP’s market value and establish Ripple as a prominent player in the global fintech landscape.
While XRP has experienced a slight increase of 0.52% over the last 24 hours, trading at $0.4958, the trading volume has seen a 0.65% decrease to $802,083,030. Despite minimal movement over the past week, with a 4.97% change in value ranging from $0.4711 to $0.5322, XRP remains far below its all-time high of $3.29 in January 2018. This current price reflects an 87.08% decrease from the peak, highlighting the significant volatility and long-term downward trend in XRP’s valuation.