Ripple Could Expand Institutional Custody in Africa Via Absa Partnership for Tokenized Assets

• Ripple Absa custody brings institutional custody infrastructure to Absa Bank in South Africa, with plans to expand to other African markets.

• Rollout is phased: initial launch in South Africa, followed by deployments in Kenya and Mauritius, subject to local licensing.

• Ripple reports more than 60 regulatory registrations globally and cites regulatory clarity and institutional demand as adoption drivers.

Ripple Absa custody expands institutional digital-asset storage across Africa with Absa Bank; see rollout timeline, regulatory approach and next steps. Read more.

Ripple partners with Absa Bank to launch institutional digital asset custody services across African markets.

By COINOTAG | Published: 2025-10-15 | Updated: 2025-10-15

What is the Ripple Absa custody partnership?

Ripple Absa custody is a commercial agreement under which Absa Bank will adopt Ripple’s institutional custody infrastructure to provide compliant storage for cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets to eligible clients. The partnership begins in South Africa and is designed to combine Absa’s regional client base with Ripple’s custody framework and operational controls.

How will Ripple and Absa roll out custody services across Africa?

The deployment follows a phased approach. Phase one focuses on South Africa, leveraging Absa’s existing custody operations and compliance teams. Subsequent phases will target Kenya and Mauritius, with potential expansion into additional Absa markets such as Uganda and Ghana where licensing permits. Ripple’s regional leadership cited demand for secure, regulated custody as the principal driver. Reece Merrick, managing director for the Middle East and Africa at Ripple, said the partnership aligns with growing institutional interest in blockchain-based financial products and the need for compliant custody solutions.

Absa’s custody rollout will adapt to each jurisdiction’s regulatory framework. Robyn Lawson, head of digital product custody at Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, emphasized that the bank will combine its custody governance with Ripple’s operational tooling to meet local licensing and client expectations. The parties plan technical and compliance assessments with national authorities before each market go-live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Absa offer Ripple custody services to institutional clients across multiple African jurisdictions?

Yes. Absa plans a phased expansion starting in South Africa, then moving to Kenya and Mauritius, with additional markets considered subject to regulatory approval. Offerings will target institutional and eligible clients who meet Absa’s custody eligibility and compliance criteria.

How do Ripple and Absa ensure regulatory compliance for custody services?

They will follow local licensing frameworks and integrate Ripple’s custody controls with Absa’s governance. Ripple notes more than 60 regulatory registrations globally and references its 2025 New Value Report as context for compliance efforts. Absa will coordinate with national regulators to align service scope and operational reporting.

Context and Details

Institutional demand for regulated custody is rising across emerging markets as financial institutions evaluate tokenized assets and blockchain-based products. Ripple’s custody network already spans Europe, Latin America, Asia‑Pacific and the Middle East; this agreement represents its first major custody partnership on the African continent. The collaboration also follows Ripple’s earlier regional initiatives, including commercial activity with Chipper Cash and development plans for an RLUSD stablecoin in the region (these references are plain text mentions of prior initiatives).

Operationally, Ripple’s custody framework provides key functions such as secure key management, audit logging, and segregation of client assets. Absa will layer its existing custody policies, client onboarding procedures and local compliance checks on top of that infrastructure. The partnership is positioned to offer institutional clients faster settlement options and institutional-grade custody controls that align with regional regulatory expectations.

Key Takeaways

• Market expansion: Ripple and Absa will launch custody services in South Africa, with a phased roll-out to Kenya and Mauritius.
• Compliance-first approach: The partnership emphasizes regulatory alignment; Ripple notes it holds more than 60 regulatory registrations globally and will seek to meet local licensing requirements.
• Institutional focus: Services target eligible institutional clients and adapt to market-specific rules; operational readiness and regulator coordination are prerequisites for each phase.

Conclusion

The Ripple Absa custody partnership represents a significant step in bringing institutional digital-asset custody to African markets, combining Ripple’s custody infrastructure with Absa’s regional banking footprint. As rollout advances, clients and regulators should expect phased launches and market-specific compliance measures. COINOTAG will continue to monitor developments and report updates as the partnership progresses.

Sources (plain text): Company statement from Ripple; comments by Reece Merrick (Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Ripple); statements by Robyn Lawson (Head of Digital Product Custody, Absa Corporate & Investment Banking); Ripple 2025 New Value Report.