TLDR
- Ripple’s custody tech is now live in the UAE through a property tokenization deal with Ctrl Alt and Dubai Land Department.
- Dubai Land Department is issuing tokenized real estate title deeds on the public XRP Ledger for the first time.
- Ctrl Alt, licensed by VARA, will manage compliant token issuance and custody for Dubai’s real estate tokens.
- Ripple now holds over 60 global licenses, including DFSA approval, enabling operations in Dubai’s financial zone.
Ripple has partnered with Ctrl Alt to bring tokenized real estate title deeds to Dubai. This partnership supports the Dubai Land Department’s (DLD) blockchain project and introduces Ripple’s custody technology in the UAE for the first time.
Ripple and Ctrl Alt Drive Dubai’s Real Estate Tokenization
On July 16, Ripple and Ctrl Alt announced their collaboration to help tokenize property titles for the DLD. The project uses the XRP Ledger to issue and store digital property ownership records. It aims to improve transparency, reduce paperwork, and make real estate investments more accessible.
Ctrl Alt, which holds a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), will manage the issuance and custody of tokenized assets. These digital deeds will allow fractional ownership, letting investors buy shares in properties instead of entire units. This lowers the entry barrier and expands access to more participants.
In partnership with Ctrl Alt and the Dubai @Land_Department, Ripple Custody will deliver scalable and secure storage for the Dubai Land Department’s tokenized real estate title deeds, which have been issued on the XRP Ledger – enabling fractional ownership, transparency, and…
— Ripple (@Ripple) July 16, 2025
Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, said, “Dubai continues to lead in digital asset innovation, and this initiative is a clear example of practical blockchain use in the public sector.”
Matt Ong, CEO of Ctrl Alt, added, “Partnering with Ripple allows us to deliver a scalable and compliant solution to modernize property ownership.”
Ripple Builds on Its Bullish Ecosystem
Ripple is expanding its footprint in the Middle East by bringing blockchain-based solutions to Dubai’s real estate market. As the first blockchain payments provider licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Ripple is now offering its custody technology to support government-backed tokenized property title deeds through a partnership with Ctrl Alt.
Ripple’s local ecosystem includes partnerships with Zand Bank and Mamo, and the company’s stablecoin, RLUSD, has been approved for use within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
This aligns with Ripple’s broader strategy of supporting digital finance, tokenization, and compliant asset management across global markets, including Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa.
Ctrl Alt has already tokenized over $325 million worth of assets, including real estate and private credit. Using the XRP Ledger allows property ownership records to be stored securely and transferred quickly, improving liquidity and simplifying the investment process. Dubai is positioning itself as a leading testbed for institutional-grade blockchain adoption.
Ripple Builds on Regulatory Milestones
Ripple’s entry into the UAE real estate sector follows several key regulatory approvals. The company holds more than 60 licenses globally, including a license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), which allows it to offer services in a regulated financial zone.
Ctrl Alt’s VASP license from VARA completes the framework for issuing and securing tokenized real estate under regulatory standards. This setup allows secure issuance, settlement, and storage of property title tokens on the blockchain.
Ripple’s focus on regulatory compliance supports its strategy of building solutions for governments and financial institutions. The Dubai project with Ctrl Alt demonstrates how blockchain can be used for regulated real-world applications and sets a foundation for future adoption in other countries.
This deal reflects Ripple’s broader expansion efforts and its commitment to providing secure, licensed, and scalable blockchain services for institutions worldwide.
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