Blab Crypto
Ripple Expands European Footprint as Banks Seek Trusted Digital Asset Solutions
Ripple Labs is broadening its European footprint as banks look for reliable digital‑asset infrastructure. In a recent podcast interview, Cassie Craddock—Ripple’s executive charged with European expansion—spoke about the growing appetite among traditional institutions for simple, secure ways to tap into digital assets.
"Ripple has been in the market for over a decade now, which blends itself really nicely to that kind of trust…" Craddock said. She added that Ripple has worked with major banks from the very beginning of its existence, a fact she believes sets the company apart. Her comments underscore the firm’s long‑standing relationships and its reputation for stability.
London has become Ripple’s largest European office after its San Francisco headquarters. The city’s status as a global financial hub and its talent pool make it an ideal base for the company’s European operations. The London office now supports roughly 200 employees—a figure that has risen in tandem with recent acquisitions. Ripple also runs a sizeable custody business in Europe, with several of the continent’s biggest banks among its clients.
The company’s expansion is supported by a growing network of offices. In addition to London, Ripple has opened locations in Luxembourg, Iceland, and Ireland, and maintains an engineering team in Geneva. "We want to invest in this region. We are really excited about our licensing," Craddock noted.
Regulatory progress has been a key driver. Ripple received preliminary approval for an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in Luxembourg in January 2026, and the full license followed in February. The company also secured a crypto‑asset registration from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, positioning it to offer regulated digital payment services across the European Union. These steps align with the European Union’s upcoming Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) framework, which will take full effect in 2025.
Acquisitions have further strengthened Ripple’s European offering. The purchase of Hidden Road, a firm that specializes in tokenisation and prime brokerage solutions, allows Ripple to weave the XRP Ledger into broader financial workflows. The deal is part of a broader strategy to provide end‑to‑end infrastructure for financial institutions, including cross‑border payments, custody, and tokenisation services.
Looking ahead, Ripple plans to expand its product and engineering teams in Europe to support the growing demand for regulated digital‑asset solutions. The company’s focus on compliance, coupled with its long‑standing relationships with banks, positions it to transition from experimental pilot programs to full‑scale commercial deployments.
In summary, Ripple’s European expansion is driven by a combination of regulatory approvals, strategic acquisitions, and a growing workforce. The company’s established relationships with banks, its custody capabilities, and its commitment to compliance are expected to keep it at the forefront of the digital‑asset infrastructure market as the EU moves toward a unified regulatory framework.
"Ripple has been in the market for over a decade now, which blends itself really nicely to that kind of trust…" Craddock said. She added that Ripple has worked with major banks from the very beginning of its existence, a fact she believes sets the company apart. Her comments underscore the firm’s long‑standing relationships and its reputation for stability.
London has become Ripple’s largest European office after its San Francisco headquarters. The city’s status as a global financial hub and its talent pool make it an ideal base for the company’s European operations. The London office now supports roughly 200 employees—a figure that has risen in tandem with recent acquisitions. Ripple also runs a sizeable custody business in Europe, with several of the continent’s biggest banks among its clients.
The company’s expansion is supported by a growing network of offices. In addition to London, Ripple has opened locations in Luxembourg, Iceland, and Ireland, and maintains an engineering team in Geneva. "We want to invest in this region. We are really excited about our licensing," Craddock noted.
Regulatory progress has been a key driver. Ripple received preliminary approval for an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in Luxembourg in January 2026, and the full license followed in February. The company also secured a crypto‑asset registration from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, positioning it to offer regulated digital payment services across the European Union. These steps align with the European Union’s upcoming Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) framework, which will take full effect in 2025.
Acquisitions have further strengthened Ripple’s European offering. The purchase of Hidden Road, a firm that specializes in tokenisation and prime brokerage solutions, allows Ripple to weave the XRP Ledger into broader financial workflows. The deal is part of a broader strategy to provide end‑to‑end infrastructure for financial institutions, including cross‑border payments, custody, and tokenisation services.
Looking ahead, Ripple plans to expand its product and engineering teams in Europe to support the growing demand for regulated digital‑asset solutions. The company’s focus on compliance, coupled with its long‑standing relationships with banks, positions it to transition from experimental pilot programs to full‑scale commercial deployments.
In summary, Ripple’s European expansion is driven by a combination of regulatory approvals, strategic acquisitions, and a growing workforce. The company’s established relationships with banks, its custody capabilities, and its commitment to compliance are expected to keep it at the forefront of the digital‑asset infrastructure market as the EU moves toward a unified regulatory framework.
