A regulatory breakthrough highlights growing confidence in compliant digital asset infrastructure as Ripple expands its U.K. strategy. Financial technology company Ripple announced on Jan. 9, 2026, that it has secured approval of its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence and Cryptoasset Registration from the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), enabling a significant expansion of Ripple Payments.

The announcement states:

These permissions allow Ripple to expand its licenced payments platform, giving U.K. institutions the ability to send cross-border payments, using digital assets, seamlessly and efficiently.

“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,” Ripple President Monica Long stated. “We are thrilled to see the U.K. embracing the compliant infrastructure necessary to make this vision a reality.”

Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty shared on social media platform X that securing approval from the FCA represents another major step forward for the company’s global licensing momentum and described the decision as a positive signal for the U.K.’s digital assets industry. Ripple also posted on X that the future of regulated digital asset payments in the U.K. has arrived following approval of both the EMI licence and Cryptoasset Registration.

Read more: Ripple Unveils Urgent 4-Point Plan to Ignite UK Crypto Revolution

The FCA approvals allow Ripple to scale its licensed, end-to-end cross-border payments solution, which manages fund flows for institutional customers by connecting them with a global network of payout partners. Ripple Payments handles underlying blockchain processes and operational requirements, enabling banks, payment providers, and enterprises to deploy digital asset–enabled payment services without building or maintaining proprietary infrastructure.

Managing Director for U.K. and Europe Cassie Craddock shared on X that the approval underscores Ripple’s deep and ongoing commitment to the U.K. and positions the company to help domestic institutions drive efficiencies, lower costs, and strengthen the country’s role as a global innovation hub.

Ripple has maintained a strong U.K. presence since 2016, with London hosting its largest office outside the U.S., supported by sustained headcount growth and ecosystem investment, including more than £5 million committed to U.K. universities through the University Blockchain Research Initiative. Beyond payments, Ripple provides institutional digital asset infrastructure across custody, payments, and its stablecoin Ripple USD (RLUSD), alongside multi-asset services through Ripple Prime and products built on the XRP Ledger.

• What FCA approvals did Ripple receive in the U.K.?
  Ripple received an Electronic Money Institution license and Cryptoasset Registration from the FCA.
• How do the FCA approvals affect Ripple Payments?
  They allow Ripple to scale licensed, end-to-end cross-border payments for U.K. institutions.
• Why is the U.K. important to Ripple’s strategy?
  London is Ripple’s largest office outside the U.S. and a core hub for compliance-first expansion.
• What blockchain infrastructure supports Ripple’s payment services?
  Ripple builds on the XRP Ledger for fast, low-cost cross-border settlement.

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