Ripple Strikes Game-Changing Crypto Custody Partnership With Ctrl Alt in Dubai’s Booming Digital Asset Hub
Ripple just planted its flag in Dubai’s red-hot crypto market—inking a custody deal with Ctrl Alt that could reshape institutional adoption.
Why this matters: The Middle East is sprinting past regulatory gridlock while the SEC drags its feet. Now Ripple’s locking down institutional-grade custody in one of crypto’s most bullish jurisdictions.
The fine print: Ctrl Alt’s Dubai Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) license gives Ripple a compliant gateway to serve whales and funds fleeing uncertain US policies. Because nothing screams ‘hedge your bets’ like parking assets in a tax-friendly desert oasis.
Bottom line: While Wall Street debates ‘if,’ Dubai’s answering ‘how fast.’ Another reminder that money flows where it’s treated best—even if that means trusting a blockchain company before your own regulators.

Ripple Expands Crypto Custody Services in Dubai With Focus on Security, Compliance, and Middle East Market
Strategic Partnership Enhances Digital Asset Security
The Ripple crypto custody deal in Dubai with Ctrl Alt represents a significant advancement in crypto custody services for the Middle East crypto market. Ctrl Alt, which actually secured its VASP license from VARA, becomes the first VASP authorized to conduct Issuer-related services and also Ripple’s first major custody partner in the UAE.
Reece Merrick, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, at Ripple, stated:
Addressing Market Demand for Secure Digital Asset Infrastructure
The partnership addresses growing demand for secure digital asset security solutions in the region right now. Ripple’s institutional-grade custody technology provides scalable and also secure storage for Dubai’s tokenized real estate title deeds, which are being issued on the XRP Ledger.
Matt Ong, CEO and Founder of Ctrl Alt, had this to say:
The Ripple crypto custody initiative in Dubai demonstrates strong regulatory compliance crypto measures, with Ripple holding over 60 regulatory licenses and also registrations across various jurisdictions. This partnership positions crypto custody services as essential infrastructure for government tokenization projects.
Expanding Global Custody Network
Ripple’s expanding global custody network now includes the Middle East crypto market, with clients across Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and even Latin America. The Dubai initiative showcases how digital asset security solutions can support government-led blockchain projects while maintaining regulatory compliance crypto standards.
The partnership enables fractional ownership of real estate through tokenization, allowing multiple investors to co-own properties while ensuring secure storage through Ripple’s crypto custody services. This innovation addresses scalability concerns and enhances the overall Middle East crypto market infrastructure.