Ripple and Bahrain Fintech Bay Collaborate to Accelerate Blockchain Innovation in the Kingdom
Ripple, a global leader in digital asset infrastructure, has partnered with Bahrain Fintech Bay (BFB), the Kingdom’s leading fintech hub, to drive blockchain innovation and strengthen Bahrain’s position as a regional digital finance powerhouse.
Under the new agreement, Ripple and BFB will work hand-in-hand to strengthen Bahrain’s digital asset ecosystem through a series of strategic initiatives. These include the development of proofs-of-concept (PoCs) and pilot projects that explore real-world applications of blockchain across financial services and other key sectors.
The partnership also aims to showcase practical solutions in areas such as cross-border payments, tokenization, stablecoins, and digital asset management, all central to the next phase of fintech transformation.
As the Middle East continues to emerge as a global hub for blockchain innovation, Bahrain stands out for its progressive regulatory environment and early embrace of digital transformation.
Bahrain Fintech Bay, supported by both private and public stakeholders, has played a critical role in nurturing fintech startups and fostering collaboration between technology providers and financial institutions.
Therefore, Ripple’s deep expertise in blockchain-based payment solutions and enterprise-grade digital asset infrastructure is expected to amplify these efforts.
Reece Merrick, Managing Director for Middle East and Africa at Ripple, welcomed the partnership, saying,
“We look forward to collaborating with Bahrain Fintech Bay to strengthen the local blockchain ecosystem and introduce our digital asset custody solutions and Ripple USD (RLUSD) to Bahrain’s financial institutions.”
Merrick added that the Kingdom of Bahrain is a global pioneer in blockchain, standing among the first jurisdictions worldwide to regulate cryptoassets.
Therefore, the move strengthens Ripple’s Middle East footprint, following the regulatory license it secured in Dubai earlier this year
XRP on the Brink: $2.50 or $3 Next?
XRP is grabbing market attention as traders await a key move that could define October.
Market expert Paul Bennett notes that, trading around $2.82, XRP is nearing a pivotal point. With volatility rising and major catalysts ahead, the coming days may push it toward $3, or see it retreat to $2.50.
Bennett observes declining trading volumes and cooling open interest, signaling cautious market sentiment.
Therefore, the situation can be deemed as the calm before the storm, with mid-October SEC ETF rulings poised to potentially reignite momentum.
The broader market backdrop adds another layer of uncertainty. The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has slowed regulatory and institutional decision-making, leaving traders without clear direction. As liquidity thins and risk appetite fades, XRP’s short-term trajectory could hinge on a handful of macro and regulatory triggers.
Technically, XRP remains bullishly structured above the $2.70 support zone, but Bennett warns that losing this level could open the door to a swift correction toward $2.50.
Conversely, a break above $3.00 could attract fresh inflows, with $3.30 seen as the next resistance region with the XRP ETF factor deemed a game-changer.
Conclusion
The Ripple–Bahrain Fintech Bay partnership will accelerate the Kingdom’s digital finance ecosystem, merging global blockchain expertise with local innovation. Through pilot projects and practical applications in payments, tokenization, and digital assets, it positions Bahrain as a fintech leader in the Middle East.
Consequently, since XRP sits at a pivotal juncture, $2.70 and $3.00 should be given a keen eye.
