In This Article
First-ever government tokenization of real estate in the Middle East using a public blockchain.
XRPL-powered digital deeds enable fast, transparent, and secure real estate transactions.
Fractional ownership model opens the market to smaller investors globally.
Project demonstrates Dubai and Ripple’s leadership in bridging traditional assets with blockchain technology.
XRP Ledger to Anchor Dubai’s Digital Property Market
Ripple has announced a major collaboration with UAE-based tokenization platform Ctrl Alt to revolutionize Dubai’s real estate sector by tokenizing property title deeds on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). This landmark initiative, unveiled on July 16, not only cements Ripple’s footprint in the Middle East but also positions Dubai at the leading edge of government-backed blockchain adoption.
How the Project Works
Ctrl Alt will leverage Ripple’s institutional-grade digital asset custody solutions to safeguard and manage tokenized property deeds. These deeds, issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD), will be stored and transacted directly on the XRPL—a public blockchain known for its speed, cost efficiency, and security.
For the first time in the Middle East, a government real estate registry will mint title deeds as digital tokens. This digitization enables:
Instant settlement: Paperwork and transfer times are reduced from days to seconds.
Transparent ownership: Transfer histories are fully auditable on-chain.
Fractional ownership: Investors can buy tokenized shares of property, starting from as little as AED 2,000 (roughly USD $545), democratizing access to Dubai’s premium real estate market.
Compliance and Security at the Forefront
Ctrl Alt recently became the first company in Dubai to secure a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), making it authorized to offer compliant issuance, custody, and management of tokenized assets. This partnership also marks Ripple’s first major custody collaboration in the UAE.
Ripple’s global custody network, spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, will now support compliant custody and settlement for institutional and retail investors entering the UAE real estate market via digital assets.
Driving Dubai’s Blockchain Vision
Dubai has rapidly emerged as a global hub for digital assets, seeking to modernize its property sector and attract international investment. By using the XRP Ledger for government-backed tokenization, Dubai enhances transparency, lowers barriers to entry, and makes its real estate market accessible to a wider pool of investors.
Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, emphasized the project’s transformative impact:
“The Dubai Land Department’s Real Estate Tokenization Project is a perfect example of forward-thinking innovation that places Dubai at the heart of the global digital asset industry. Having the XRPL as the foundation reinforces its credentials as the blockchain of choice for real financial applications.”
Future Implications and Global Outlook
This move indicates Dubai’s ambition to be at the forefront of blockchain adoption in real estate, showcasing a scalable and secure model for other jurisdictions. The capability to tokenize and trade real estate shares 24/7 broadens access to otherwise illiquid assets and enables property developers to tap into new sources of capital without traditional debt.
Ripple has continued to bolster its presence in the region, recently securing regulatory approval for its stablecoin RLUSD in the Dubai International Financial Centre and forming partnerships with local banks and fintech firms.
As Ripple and Ctrl Alt set a new benchmark in tokenized real estate, all eyes will be on Dubai as a pioneer of digital asset innovation and regulatory progress in the rapidly evolving world of blockchain-powered finance.
