Ripple, a global leader in digital asset infrastructure for financial institutions, has entered a strategic partnership with Bahrain Fintech Bay (BFB) — the Kingdom’s foremost fintech incubator and ecosystem developer. The collaboration aims to bolster Bahrain’s position as a regional hub for blockchain innovation and digital finance.
The agreement outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation, including the development of proofs-of-concept and pilot projects, the showcasing of blockchain-based solutions, and the creation of educational and accelerator initiatives to cultivate local talent and attract investment.
According to Reece Merrick, Managing Director of Ripple’s Middle East and Africa operations, Bahrain’s early embrace of blockchain and crypto regulation makes it an ideal partner:
The Kingdom of Bahrain has emerged as an early adopter of blockchain technology and was one of the first jurisdictions globally to regulate cryptoassets. At Ripple, we look forward to working with Bahrain Fintech Bay to strengthen the local blockchain industry and eventually offer our custody solution and Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin to Bahrain’s financial institutions.
Bahrain strengthens its position as a digital finance hub
Bahrain Fintech Bay Chief Operating Officer Suzy Al Zeerah highlighted that this collaboration underscores the Kingdom’s growing influence in the digital assets domain:
Bahrain has long been recognised as a financial services hub, and this legacy is now expanding into digital assets and blockchain. Our partnership with Ripple bridges global innovators with the local ecosystem, enabling pilots, talent development, and advanced financial solutions that shape the future of finance.
Through this alliance, Ripple and BFB will jointly host industry events, educational workshops, and knowledge-sharing programs, further embedding blockchain into Bahrain’s fintech infrastructure.
Ripple’s expanding footprint in the Middle East
The announcement coincides with Ripple’s participation in Fintech Forward 2025, an Economist Impact event held in Sakhir on October 8–9, which gathers financial and regulatory leaders to discuss the future of global finance.
With over a decade of experience in digital assets, Ripple continues to deliver secure, compliant, and scalable infrastructure for institutions managing tokenized assets. The company holds over 60 regulatory licenses and registrations worldwide, including its DFSA license obtained in March 2025, making it the first blockchain-based payments provider licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority.
Ripple’s collaboration with Bahrain Fintech Bay reflects its broader mission to empower regulated financial ecosystems and accelerate blockchain adoption across the Middle East and beyond, driving the evolution of digital finance in a compliant and innovation-driven environment.