New EMI licence and Cryptoasset Registration enable Ripple to expand its payments offerings, reinforcing commitment to global regulatory compliance
London, UK — January 9, 2026 – Ripple, a financial technology company that offers crypto solutions for businesses, has today announced a major regulatory milestone, securing approval of its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence and Cryptoasset Registration from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). These permissions allow Ripple to expand its licenced payments platform, giving UK institutions the ability to send cross-border payments, using digital assets, seamlessly and efficiently.
Ripple Payments, a licensed, end-to-end cross-border payment solution, manages the flow of funds on behalf of its customers, connecting them to its global payout partners to deliver fast, transparent, and reliable payout capabilities around the world. Through its fully licensed solution, Ripple handles the underlying blockchain and operational complexity so businesses can launch digital payment services quickly, without taking on the cost or burden of infrastructure management.
“Finance is undergoing a fundamental shift, and we are rapidly moving beyond pilots into a new era where blockchain and digital assets serve as critical infrastructure for the global economy,” said Monica Long, President at Ripple. “Extending Ripple’s licensing portfolio and payments solution is about more than just efficiency; it is about unlocking trillions in dormant capital and realising a world where value moves instantaneously. We are thrilled to see the UK embracing the compliant infrastructure necessary to make this vision a reality.”
Ripple’s licence and registration approvals underscore the company’s deep and ongoing commitment to the UK. The UK is core to Ripple’s global strategy, with London hosting its biggest office outside the U.S. since 2016. Ripple has made ongoing investments in the UK, including year-on-year headcount growth, and support for the wider blockchain and developer ecosystem, including significant contributions to UK-based blockchain developers and start-ups, as well as over £5 million committed to UK universities through its flagship University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) programme.
"The UK has a well-deserved reputation for high regulatory standards. The FCA’s rigorous approach to compliance mirrors Ripple’s commitment to adhering to regulations," said Cassie Craddock, Managing Director, UK & Europe at Ripple. “Securing approvals from the FCA is a pivotal moment for Ripple, enabling us to provide essential digital assets infrastructure to UK businesses. We have seen in other jurisdictions how regulatory clarity drives adoption, and the UK is poised to take advantage. The opportunity presented by digital assets is colossal and with our new licence, Ripple is ready to help the UK’s businesses seize that opportunity."
Ripple offers comprehensive support across the full spectrum of institutional digital asset infrastructure needs through its range of solutions, including custody, payments, and its stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD). This capability is further enhanced by Ripple Prime, a multi-asset prime broker which offers advanced services including clearing, prime brokerage, and financing across foreign exchange, digital assets, derivatives, swaps, and fixed income, thus providing a one-stop shop for institutional financial services across digital asset and traditional markets.
Ripple contributes to and builds its products on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), a public blockchain which uses XRP as a native digital asset for fast, low-cost settlement of value across borders.