In brief

• Ripple received approval through its UK subsidiary to scale its payments operations in the UK.
• The firm notes the UK is a "core" piece of its global strategy moving forward.
• The approval comes ahead of new crypto regulations expected to commence in 2027 in the UK.

Crypto payments firm Ripple was granted permission from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to scale its payments platform in the country, the firm announced on Friday. 

The FCA approved the firm’s Cryptoasset Registration and Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license, enabling companies in the UK to use its services for cross-border payments with digital assets. 

“Extending Ripple’s licensing portfolio and payments solution is about more than just efficiency; it is about unlocking trillions in dormant capital and realizing a world where value moves instantaneously,” said Ripple President Monica Long, in a statement. 

“We are thrilled to see the UK embracing the compliant infrastructure necessary to make this vision a reality,” she added.

The firm’s approval comes one day after the FCA shared new details about the permissions required for firms seeking to conduct regulated crypto asset activities in the country when its new regulation commences in 2027. 

Based on the proposed legislation, all crypto firms will come under full FCA oversight, subjecting them to the same regulations as consumer protection and market conduct standards that other financial products in the country are held to. 

To meet those standards, all firms, even those that may maintain some registrations with the FCA, will need to reapply for approval ahead of the new regulatory regime. Applications are expected to open in September. 

Ripple’s approval from the FCA through its subsidiary Ripple Markets UK LTD “underscores the company’s deep and ongoing commitment to the UK,” the firm said in a statement, noting that the UK is “core” to its global strategy. 

The firm’s London office is its largest outside the United States, and it has committed more than $6.6 million to UK universities through its University Blockchain Research Initiative. 

"The UK has a well-deserved reputation for high regulatory standards. The FCA’s rigorous approach to compliance mirrors Ripple’s commitment to adhering to regulations," said Ripple Managing Director of UK & Europe Cassie Craddock, in a statement. 

“Securing approvals from the FCA is a pivotal moment for Ripple, enabling us to provide essential digital assets infrastructure to UK businesses,” she added. “We have seen in other jurisdictions how regulatory clarity drives adoption, and the UK is poised to take advantage.” 

Its early 2026 regulatory approval in the UK continues a trend of regulatory victories for the firm, who saw its yearslong battle with the SEC come to a conclusion in the US last year. 

The Ripple-linked XRP is up about 1% over the last 24 hours, and the prominent crypto token has jumped more than 11% in the last week to recently change hands at $2.13.

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