Ripple, in partnership with Jeel, Riyad Bank’s innovation arm, is set to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s financial modernization through blockchain, aligning digital finance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, according to Ripple’s Middle East & Africa Managing Director, Reece Merrick.
Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming a global hub for digital transformation, fueled by visionary leadership and bold economic reforms.
Partnering with Jeel, Ripple seeks to unlock new efficiencies in cross-border payments, digital asset custody, and tokenization within the Kingdom’s financial ecosystem. This move follows Ripple’s accelerated European expansion, including preliminary EMI approval in Luxembourg, further strengthening its cross-border payments network.
The partnership will focus on three core pillars:
Cross-Border Payments – Leveraging Ripple’s blockchain technology, the collaboration seeks to streamline international transactions, offering faster, cheaper, and more transparent settlements. For institutions operating globally, this could redefine liquidity management and significantly reduce transactional friction.
Asset Tokenization – By converting real-world assets into blockchain-based digital tokens, Ripple and Jeel aim to enable fractional ownership, seamless transfers, and enhanced liquidity for a range of asset classes. This could open new avenues for investment and capital formation in Saudi Arabia.
Blockchain-Based Finance – Beyond payments and tokenization, the partnership will explore innovative financial products and services built on decentralized infrastructure, reinforcing Riyad Bank’s position at the forefront of digital banking.
With over $130 billion in assets, Riyad Bank adds formidable institutional strength to this partnership. By combining its financial clout with Ripple’s blockchain expertise, the collaboration could fast-track blockchain adoption across the Kingdom, enabling quicker global settlements and the development of real-world tokenized assets.
Well, Ripple’s latest move marks a strategic Middle East expansion and a key milestone in boosting XRP’s real-world utility. The partnership highlights blockchain’s role in advancing national economic goals, improving operational efficiency, and delivering innovative financial solutions aligned with Vision 2030.
Simultaneously, UK institutions can now leverage XRP and the XRP Ledger for seamless cross-border payments, following Ripple’s FCA approval to scale its regulated payments platform nationwide.
As Saudi Arabia accelerates its digital transformation, the Ripple–Jeel partnership showcases how global fintech innovation and regional banking strength can redefine the Kingdom’s financial landscape. Therefore, XRP is set to help shape the future of finance in Saudi Arabia.
The Ripple–Jeel partnership marks a strategic leap in modernizing Saudi Arabia’s financial ecosystem. By leveraging blockchain for cross-border payments, asset tokenization, and digital finance, it advances Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification and digital innovation.
Combining Riyad Bank’s institutional strength with Ripple’s blockchain expertise, the collaboration promises greater efficiency, new investment opportunities, and accelerated adoption of tokenized solutions. As XRP drives real-world applications, this alliance positions the Kingdom as a global fintech leader and sets a benchmark for transformative financial partnerships.
