Ripple, the San Francisco-based blockchain company, has received key regulatory approvals from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), marking a significant expansion of its payment services in the region. The approvals, granted on January 9, 2026, include an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence and Cryptoasset Registration for its entity, RIPPLE MARKETS UK LTD.
These licences enable UK-based financial institutions to leverage Ripple's technology for cross-border transactions using digital assets. The company's Ripple Payments platform is designed to simplify blockchain complexities, allowing businesses to launch digital payment services without building costly infrastructure. However, the approval comes with stipulations: Ripple is prohibited from issuing electronic money or providing payment services to consumers, micro-enterprises, or charities unless it receives prior written consent from the FCA.
Monica Long, President of Ripple, stated that this development signifies a fundamental shift in finance. "Extending Ripple's licensing portfolio and payments solution is about more than just efficiency; it is about unlocking trillions in dormant capital and realizing a world where value moves instantaneously," she said. Long praised the UK for embracing the compliant infrastructure necessary to turn this vision into reality.
Cassie Craddock, Managing Director for UK & Europe at Ripple, described the FCA approval as a "pivotal moment" for the company, enabling it to provide essential digital asset infrastructure to UK businesses. She highlighted the UK's reputation for high regulatory standards and the "colossal" opportunity presented by digital assets, positioning the country to capitalize on this growth.
The UK is a core part of Ripple's global strategy. The company established its largest office outside the U.S. in London in 2016 and has since invested heavily in the region. This includes year-on-year headcount growth, support for local blockchain developers and startups, and a commitment of over £5 million to UK universities through its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) program.
Ripple's product suite, built on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), includes custody services, payments solutions, the Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin, and Ripple Prime for multi-asset prime brokerage. This regulatory milestone is seen as a vote of confidence in Ripple's compliance framework and could encourage other fintech firms to pursue similar paths in the UK, a post-Brexit economy seeking to maintain its status as a global financial hub.
