Ripple has taken a major step forward in expanding its crypto custody operations in the Middle East. The blockchain company has partnered with Ctrl Alt, a regulated Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Dubai, to support the Dubai Land Department’s (DLD) Real Estate Tokenization Project. This collaboration marks a key milestone in Ripple’s global crypto custody expansion and strengthens the region’s position as a hub for secure and compliant digital asset solutions.

Supporting Dubai’s Real Estate Tokenization Project

The partnership centres around the DLD’s initiative to tokenize real estate title deeds on the XRP Ledger, a public blockchain powered by Ripple. This is the first time a government property registration authority in the Middle East has undertaken such a step.

Ctrl Alt has been chosen as the tokenization provider for this ambitious project, and Ripple will provide its institutional-grade custody technology to securely store the tokenized real estate assets. This allows for title deeds to be digitised, stored, and traded on a secure blockchain platform.

Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, called the initiative a “forward-thinking, innovative” project that places Dubai at the forefront of the digital asset space.

Enhancing Crypto Custody and Security

Ripple’s custody services are known for their enterprise-level security and compliance. With over 60 regulatory licences and registrations globally, the company ensures its technology meets strict international standards. By integrating Ripple’s custody tech, the project guarantees safe and scalable storage of digital assets for both government and private sector use.

Matt Ong, CEO of Ctrl Alt, noted that partnering with Ripple allows them to leverage a “trusted and proven” custody solution. He highlighted the importance of secure infrastructure in real estate tokenization, where fractional ownership requires reliable systems to store and transfer ownership records.

The secure storage of tokenized assets is critical to building trust in the ecosystem. It ensures investors can co-own property with confidence, knowing their digital ownership rights are protected.

Meeting Regional Demand for Digital Asset Infrastructure

There is a rising demand across the Middle East for secure and compliant digital asset infrastructure. Governments and enterprises alike are exploring blockchain solutions for real-world applications, and real estate is emerging as a key sector for innovation.

The Ripple-Ctrl Alt partnership is timely, as it provides an answer to this growing demand. It offers a secure, scalable and regulation-compliant custody service that aligns with Dubai’s long-term digital economy strategy. Ripple’s custody platform is now a core component of the infrastructure that will enable tokenization, fractional ownership, and secure record-keeping in the real estate sector.

With Ctrl Alt being the first licensed VASP in Dubai authorised to provide issuer-related services, this collaboration is expected to set a benchmark for similar projects across the region.

Ripple’s Global Custody Network Grows

Dubai is now part of Ripple’s growing global network of crypto custody services, which spans across Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. The company’s strategy is to offer compliant, institutional-grade custody solutions that support real-world blockchain applications from tokenized assets to cross-border payments.

This latest move signals Ripple’s commitment to establishing itself not just as a blockchain provider, but as a leading crypto custody partner for governments and institutions worldwide.

By playing a central role in Dubai’s government-backed real estate tokenization project, Ripple has demonstrated how crypto custody services can be the foundation for the next generation of property investment and management opening the door to new levels of accessibility, security, and efficiency.

Ripple’s partnership with Ctrl Alt in Dubai marks a major advancement in crypto custody infrastructure in the Middle East. By supporting a government-led project to tokenize real estate title deeds, the company is showcasing how secure digital asset technology can be used in high-impact, real-world applications. The initiative not only boosts Ripple’s presence in the region but also strengthens Dubai’s vision of becoming a global leader in blockchain innovation.