- Dubai leads in blockchain real estate with tokenized deeds on the XRP Ledger
- Ripple and Ctrl Alt enable fractional property ownership via secure XRPL custody
- Regulatory support boosts Ripple’s expansion and trust in UAE digital assets market
In a major leap for real estate innovation, Ripple has partnered with Ctrl Alt and the Dubai Land Department (DLD) to offer secure, scalable custody for tokenized property title deeds. These digital deeds, issued on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), mark a significant advancement in Dubai’s move toward fractional property ownership and global real estate accessibility.
The partnership positions Dubai at the forefront of blockchain adoption in public real estate infrastructure and opens new opportunities for both institutional and retail investors worldwide.
In partnership with Ctrl Alt and the Dubai @Land_Department, Ripple Custody will deliver scalable and secure storage for the Dubai Land Department’s tokenized real estate title deeds, which have been issued on the XRP Ledger – enabling fractional ownership, transparency, and…
— Ripple (@Ripple) July 16, 2025
Ripple Brings Digital Custody Infrastructure to the UAE
Ripple, known for its institutional-grade blockchain solutions, has expanded its custody footprint into the Middle East through this collaboration. This marks its first major digital asset custody partnership in the UAE. Ctrl Alt, now operating under a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), will use Ripple’s custody technology to manage digital real estate assets securely.
According to the press release, by leveraging the XRPL, the Dubai Land Department becomes the first public sector real estate registrar in the Middle East to tokenize title deeds on a public blockchain. This initiative reflects growing confidence in the XRPL’s ability to support serious financial use cases.
Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, Reece Merrick, emphasized that Dubai’s leadership in this space underscores its role in shaping the global digital asset landscape.
Fractional Ownership Unlocks New Investment Pathways
The tokenization of title deeds enables fractional ownership of properties, reducing traditional investment barriers. Multiple investors can now co-own a single property, improving liquidity and broadening market access. Consequently, this model allows smaller investors to participate in Dubai’s thriving real estate market.
Ctrl Alt’s CEO and Founder, Matt Ong, noted that the project integrates every stage of tokenization from asset issuance and compliance to secure storage and on-chain lifecycle management. This end-to-end infrastructure promotes a more transparent and efficient investment environment, benefitting developers, investors, and regulators alike.
Regulatory Backing and Strategic Growth
Ripple has secured more than 60 regulatory licenses globally, including one from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) earlier this year. This makes Ripple a trusted provider for storing and moving digital assets. Additionally, Ripple’s partnerships with Zand Bank and fintech firm Mamo further highlight its expanding footprint in the UAE.
Moreover, Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, has been approved as a recognized crypto token for use in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), adding another layer of credibility and compliance to its operations.
