Ripple may bring RLUSD stablecoin and custody services to Bahraini institutions via Fintech Bay partnership, with XRP in focus

• Ripple Bahrain partnership enables pilots for RLUSD stablecoin and custody with Bahrain Fintech Bay

• Collaboration targets cross-border payments, tokenization and regulated stablecoin issuance under Central Bank of Bahrain frameworks.

• Ripple holds 60+ global regulatory approvals; XRP ranked fifth by market cap at time of reporting.

Ripple Bahrain partnership: Ripple will pilot RLUSD stablecoin and digital custody with Bahrain Fintech Bay—discover what this means for banks and payments.

What is Ripple’s partnership with Bahrain Fintech Bay?

Ripple Bahrain partnership is a strategic collaboration where Ripple and Bahrain Fintech Bay (BFB) will run fintech pilots and test digital asset solutions in Bahrain, focusing on cross-border payments, tokenization, custody and the RLUSD stablecoin. The initiative aims to integrate regulated stablecoin issuance and custody services for local financial institutions.

How will Ripple introduce RLUSD and custody services in Bahrain?

Ripple plans to pilot its digital asset custody offering and the RLUSD stablecoin with banks and licensed entities in Bahrain. Workstreams include sandbox tests, interoperability for cross-border rails, and technical integration with existing banking systems. The partnership leverages Bahrain Fintech Bay’s local network and the Central Bank of Bahrain’s stablecoin licensing framework.

As part of its cooperation with Bahrain Fintech Bay, Ripple aims to bring its custody solution and RLUSD stablecoin to Bahrain’s financial institutions.

Ripple, the blockchain company behind the XRP token, announced a strategic partnership with Bahrain Fintech Bay (BFB) to accelerate digital asset pilots across the Kingdom. The collaboration is set to explore applications in payments, tokenization and stablecoins while engaging regulators and banks in practical pilots.

BFB was launched in 2018 in Manama as a public-private fintech hub created with involvement from the Bahrain Economic Development Board and local industry partners. The organisation has worked closely with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) on multiple industry initiatives since its early days.

BFB’s director of business development, Tariq Mattar, participated in an event hosted by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry in June 2025. Source: BFB

According to Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Middle East managing director, the company ultimately intends to offer its custody solution and the RLUSD stablecoin to licensed financial institutions in Bahrain. These pilots are designed to validate operational, regulatory and technical readiness for production services.

Why does Bahrain’s regulatory framework matter for stablecoins?

Bahrain’s Central Bank introduced a framework in July allowing licensed issuers to mint single-currency stablecoins backed by Bahraini Dinar, US Dollar, or other fiat currencies acceptable to the CBB. This clarity creates a pathway for RLUSD and other regulated stablecoins to operate within Bahrain’s financial system under supervisor oversight.

The Central Bank of Bahrain allows issuance of stablecoins pegged to Bahraini dinar, US dollar and other fiat currencies. Source: CBB

BFB’s COO Suzy Al Zeerah framed the partnership as a bridge between global innovators and the local market, highlighting opportunities for pilots, talent development and enterprise-grade solutions. BFB’s local activities, including participation in regional business forums, position it as a conduit for institutional engagement.

How does this affect XRP and market positioning?

Ripple’s expanded jurisdictional footprint supports its broader regulatory engagement strategy. At the time of reporting, XRP ranked the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, reflecting continued market activity amid Ripple’s global partnerships and regulatory developments.

Ripple’s XRP ranked the fifth-largest crypto asset by market cap as of Thursday. Source: CoinGecko

Industry context: Ripple holds more than 60 regulatory approvals globally, and this Bahrain engagement adds to its list of jurisdictional partnerships. Related: Qatar bank taps JPMorgan’s blockchain for faster US dollar payments (plain text).

Frequently Asked Questions

How will banks test RLUSD in Bahrain?

Banks will participate in sandbox pilots coordinated by Bahrain Fintech Bay and Ripple, focusing on custody integration, settlement workflows and regulatory compliance checks in collaboration with the Central Bank of Bahrain. Tests will be phased and monitored for operational resilience.

Does this mean Ripple will become a licensed issuer in Bahrain?

Ripple has stated its intent to offer custody and RLUSD to licensed institutions; actual issuance would require compliance with CBB licensing and the chosen institutional issuer structure under Bahraini law.

Key Takeaways

• Regulatory alignment: Bahrain’s stablecoin framework enables licensed issuance and creates legal certainty for pilots.
• Institutional focus: Ripple aims to offer custody and RLUSD to financial institutions, not direct consumer issuance.
• Market impact: The partnership strengthens Ripple’s global footprint and supports cross-border payment innovation.

Conclusion

The Ripple Bahrain partnership signals a measured approach to integrating regulated stablecoins and custody solutions into a compliant financial hub. By combining Ripple’s technology with Bahrain Fintech Bay’s local reach and the Central Bank of Bahrain’s licensing framework, the pilots aim to define practical use cases for banks and payment providers. Watch for phased sandbox results and licensing announcements.