Ripple Gets Green Light in Singapore to Expand Regulated Payment Services

Blockchain payments trailblazer Ripple notched a regulatory coup on December 1, 2025, securing Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) approval to broaden its Major Payment Institution (MPI) license. The upgrade empowers Ripple Markets APAC Pte. Ltd.—the firm’s Singapore subsidiary since 2017—to deliver comprehensive digital payment token services, from token swaps and custody to seamless cross-border remittances, all under one compliant roof.

“Huge news from Singapore: The @MAS_sg has approved an expanded scope of payment activities for our Major Payment Institution license—enabling us to deliver end-to-end, fully licensed payment services to our customers in the region. 🇸🇬,” Ripple tweeted, spotlighting integration with its Ripple Payments platform. This greenlight supercharges XRP for instant settlements and RLUSD (Ripple’s USD stablecoin, launched October 2025) for stable fiat rails, slashing costs and latency for banks, fintechs, and corporates.

Fiona Murray, Ripple’s APAC VP and MD, hailed Singapore as “the center of that growth,” with regional on-chain volume surging 70% YoY. “MAS has set a leading standard for regulatory clarity in digital assets,” echoed President Monica Long, crediting the framework’s innovation-friendly guardrails. The expansion—covering buying/selling on own account, exchange platforms, and money transfers—positions Ripple among elite blockchain entities with MPI status, fostering institutional adoption sans silos.

Market ripples? Bullish: XRP dipped 7% intraday but rebounded 2%, buoyed by Abu Dhabi’s RLUSD nod last week. Businesses gain frictionless corridors (e.g., SGD to PHP in seconds vs. days), while investors eye boosted liquidity—Ripple’s $30B+ XRP escrow could unlock enterprise flows. Globally, it mirrors MAS’s Payment Services Act prowess, outpacing EU’s MiCA delays.

Looking ahead: Ripple eyes deeper ties with Singapore banks (DBS, OCBC pilots) and APAC hubs like Dubai. This isn’t just a license—it’s a launchpad for compliant crypto corridors, cementing Singapore’s Web3 throne. As Murray quipped, “The Asia Pacific leads in real digital asset usage.” Hodl or build? The bridge is open.