Ripple received approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore to expand the permitted scope of activities under its Major Payment Institution license. This step will enhance the company’s ability to deliver regulated crypto-enabled payment solutions in one of Asia’s most established digital asset markets. The approval strengthens Ripple’s operating position in Singapore, where regulatory clarity has drawn global financial institutions looking to scale tokenized and cross-border payment capabilities.
Executives said the expanded approval reinforces the company’s regulatory-first posture, which has become a strategic differentiator as markets increasingly impose tighter controls on digital asset service providers. Singapore’s framework has been viewed as a benchmark among major financial hubs, offering rules that support innovation while maintaining institutional safeguards.
Monica Long, Ripple President, stated:
“MAS has set a leading standard for regulatory clarity in digital assets, and we deeply value Singapore’s forward-thinking approach. Ripple has always taken a regulation-first approach and Singapore is proof that innovation thrives when rules are clear. This expanded license strengthens our ability to continue investing in Singapore and to build the infrastructure financial institutions need to move money efficiently, quickly, and safely.”
APAC Momentum and Institutional Demand
Asia Pacific remains one of the most active regions globally for digital asset adoption, driven by both retail usage and institutional experimentation in settlement, remittances, and tokenized liquidity. Ripple noted that on-chain activity across the region has risen roughly 70 percent year-over-year, with Singapore positioned as a central hub for payments innovation and oversight.
The expanded MPI permissions allow Ripple Markets APAC to broaden its support for banks, fintechs, and crypto service providers using Ripple Payments. The platform combines digital payment tokens, including RLUSD and XRP, with a global payout network designed to simplify cross-border settlement. Institutions can integrate a single provider for collection, holding, swapping, and payout functions, reducing reliance on fragmented intermediaries and specialized digital asset infrastructure.
“With this expanded scope of payment activities, we can better support the institutions driving that growth,” said Fiona Murray, Ripple Vice President & Managing Director, Asia Pacific. She emphasized that regulated access to faster settlement channels remains an operational priority for financial institutions operating across diverse currency corridors.
Strategic Positioning in a Competitive Landscape
Ripple established its APAC headquarters in Singapore in 2017, aligning early with MAS efforts to formalize oversight of digital assets, stablecoins, and payment token service providers. The company’s regulatory traction comes at a moment when global financial institutions are reassessing how blockchain-enabled settlement can reduce costs and improve liquidity management.
Ripple continues to diversify its institutional product stack, including Ripple Payments, Ripple Custody, and Ripple Prime, while leveraging RLUSD and XRP across its platform. The strengthened MPI license positions Ripple to compete more effectively with traditional correspondent networks and emerging tokenized settlement platforms seeking scale in regulated markets.