Ripple has announced a strategic collaboration with Ctrl Alt, a real estate tokenization infrastructure provider endorsed by the Dubai Land Department (DLD), to offer secure digital custody for tokenized property title deeds on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). This marks Ripple’s first major custody initiative in the UAE, expanding its global presence in asset tokenization across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. The partnership sets a significant precedent for the integration of public blockchain infrastructure into national real estate systems.
Property Tokenization Surges as Investor Demand Accelerates
Dubai’s real estate market is already experiencing the transformative power of tokenization, led by PRYPCO Mint. Three tokenized properties have sold out at record speeds, including:
- A $653,000 unit in Kensington Waters, sold out in under 2 minutes
- The first tokenized apartment in Business Bay, which closed in 24 hours, attracting 224 investors from over 40 nationalities
- Dubai’s first tokenized villa, which was fully funded in just five minutes
Investors can enter the market with fractional ownership from as little as AED 2,000 ($544). New listings in Dubai Marina and Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City) have since been introduced, underscoring strong demand for blockchain-powered real estate investment opportunities.
Ripple Strengthens UAE Footprint Through Regulation and Stablecoin Adoption
Ripple’s expansion in the UAE aligns with a broader strategy that includes key regulatory approvals and ecosystem partnerships. Highlights include:
- Becoming the first blockchain payments provider licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
- Collaborations with Zand Bank and Mamo to enable blockchain-based cross-border payments
- Recognition of Ripple’s RLUSD (a USD-backed stablecoin) as a legal crypto token in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
As Ctrl Alt progresses toward acquiring its VASP license, this partnership with Ripple further positions the company as a leading enabler of regulated asset tokenization—especially in real estate. Dubai continues to emerge as a global epicenter for blockchain innovation and digital asset adoption, and Ripple’s momentum could catalyze increased institutional adoption throughout the Middle East..
