Ripple Secures Expanded License in Singapore, Deepens Crypto Payment Capabilities Across Asia-Pacific

• Singapore’s MAS has expanded Ripple’s MPI license, allowing the firm to offer a wider range of regulated digital payment token services.
• The approval strengthens Ripple Payments, enabling institutional clients to use XRP and RLUSD for faster, regulated cross-border settlement.
• The move comes amid a 70% rise in regional on-chain activity, positioning Singapore as a key hub for Ripple’s Asia-Pacific expansion.

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Ripple has received approval from Singapore’s central bank to expand the scope of its regulated payment services in the city-state. This marks a major step in the company’s Asia-Pacific strategy amid rising regional demand for compliant crypto-enabled settlements.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has granted Ripple Markets APAC permission to expand its activities under its existing Major Payment Institution (MPI) license. The approval gives Ripple the ability to offer fully licensed digital payment token services, including end-to-end settlement infrastructure using XRP and Ripple’s regulated stablecoin RLUSD.

This expansion builds on Ripple’s initial MPI approval in 2023. It also positions the company among a small group of digital-asset firms operating under a comprehensive, regulator-supervised framework in one of the world’s most established financial centers.

A Larger Institutional Push

Ripple executives said the approval strengthens the company’s capacity to support banks, payment providers, and fintech companies seeking compliant, crypto-enabled settlement rails. Company president Monica Long said Singapore’s regulatory clarity creates an environment in which institutional adoption can scale more predictably. Ripple described the wider license as essential for building the infrastructure financial institutions require to move value “effectively, swiftly, and securely.”

Ripple Payments, the firm’s institutional settlement product, uses DPTs such as XRP and RLUSD to facilitate cross-border transactions. The expanded permissions allow Ripple to deliver a broader suite of regulated services. And this includes collection, holding, FX swaps, and payout workflows, without requiring customers to maintain their own blockchain infrastructure.

Singapore’s Crypto-Friendly Positioning

Ripple’s expansion comes as Singapore solidifies its status as one of Asia’s most active digital-asset jurisdictions. The company has operated its APAC headquarters in the country since 2017. Its leadership has repeatedly pointed to Singapore’s transparent licensing regime as a competitive advantage.

Regional data underscores the momentum. According to Chainalysis’ 2025 Global Adoption Index, the Asia-Pacific region saw 69% year-over-year growth in on-chain activity. Singapore emerges as a major hub alongside India, Pakistan, Vietnam, and South Korea.

Ripple APAC managing director Fiona Murray said on-chain activity in Singapore has surged roughly 70% over the past year. This reflects the rising demand for regulated, crypto-enabled payments.

“With this wider range of payment activities, we can better assist the institutions driving this growth by providing a variety of regulated payment services, which will make payments faster and more efficient for our customers,” she added.

Strategic Moves and Acquisitions

The license expansion follows a series of acquisitions aimed at strengthening Ripple’s institutional offerings.

This year, the company acquired Palisade, a France-regulated digital asset custodian and wallet-infrastructure provider. The firm has signaled that acquisitions will remain a core part of its strategy as it competes for market share in the enterprise blockchain and payments sector.

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Editorial Note: This news article has been written with assistance from AI. Edited & fact-checked by the Editorial Team.

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