- Ripple and Absa Bank launched institutional digital-asset custody in South Africa.
- Absa will use Ripple’s bank-grade, compliance-ready infrastructure for tokenized assets.
- The deal extends Ripple’s global custody network into Africa and signals bank demand.
Ripple and Absa have launched institutional digital asset custody in South Africa, pairing bank-grade controls with Ripple’s licensed infrastructure to support tokenized assets. The alliance makes Absa the first major African financial institution to integrate Ripple’s custody technology.
According to the announcement, Absa will run custody on Ripple’s infrastructure so asset managers and corporates can store, segregate, and reconcile positions under bank-level controls. The offer targets entities that want exposure to blockchain instruments without compromising operational or regulatory standards. The launch also adds Africa to Ripple’s custody footprint and positions Absa as an early mover among large African banks.
Why banks want custody now
Institutional clients are pushing for faster settlement, cleaner asset servicing, and compliant tokenization rails. Ripple’s 2025 New Value Report found 64% of financial leaders across the Middle East and Africa citing speed of payments and settlement as a primary driver for blockchain adoption.
That need carries into custody because asset managers require timely transfers, audit trails, and reporting that match existing capital-markets workflows. Absa’s integration targets that pain point by pairing digital-asset storage with bank-operated governance and service-level agreements.
How compliance is addressed
Ripple says it holds more than 60 licenses and registrations worldwide, which supports its work with regulated institutions. Absa framed the partnership as aligned with its regulatory-first strategy.
According to Robyn Lawson, Head of Digital Product, Custody at Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, the setup meets operational and security benchmarks needed to handle digital assets responsibly. Controls span role-based access, key-material protections, segregation of client assets, and reconciliation designed for regulated audit.
Where Ripple’s network expands next
The Absa partnership extends Ripple’s custody network across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and now Africa. Prior work in the region included collaboration with Chipper Cash and the rollout of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, which together showed demand for compliant rails.
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With Absa, Ripple adds a large South African institution that can onboard local asset managers and corporates, deepen tokenization pilots, and connect regional flows to global venues that already use Ripple infrastructure.
What institutions watch next
Institutions will track onboarding timelines, supported asset lists, reporting standards, and any policy guidance from South African regulators specific to bank-operated crypto custody. They will also watch how Absa prices storage, movement, and value-added services such as staking governance, token-corporate actions, or fund-administration hooks if offered later.
The question now is can bank-run custody make tokenized assets operational at scale while keeping regulatory risk low and service levels high.
Voices from both teams
Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, said the partnership aligns with Africa’s shift to blockchain-based finance and underscores Ripple’s goal to enable financial institutions with trusted infrastructure.
Absa positioned the deal as a technology-led step that maintains strict regulatory standards while preparing clients for tokenized markets that demand secure safekeeping and clean auditability.
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