Ripple’s recent announcement of a partnership with Absa Bank, a leading Pan-African financial institution, has generated a lot of interest in the crypto community. Bill Morgan, a lawyer supporting XRP, explained that while the partnership is primarily focused on storing digital assets, it also signals growing demand for Ripple payment infrastructure across the continent. The modern development also highlights the cryptocurrency payments company growing influence in emerging marketswhere financial institutions are increasingly looking for secure and compliant digital asset management solutions.
XRP spokesperson highlights Ripple’s modern expansion in Africa
Morgana highlighted in X’s social media post on October 15 that Ripple’s partnership with Absa Bank is not only about offering a unthreatening place to store digital assets, but also reflects the broader adoption of the crypto company’s technology in Africa. Absa Bank confirmed on its official website, which it plans to integrate Institutional-grade Ripple digital asset custody systemproviding clients in South Africa with secure and scalable storage of tokenized assets, including cryptocurrencies.
With this modern partnership, Absa Bank becomes the first major African financial institution to enter into an alliance with Ripple as a custodian, marking a significant milestone for the crypto company’s operations on the continent. Ripple’s global care network already covers Europe, Middle EastAsia-Pacific and Latin America, and now extends to Africa. This underlines the company’s commitment to supporting financial organizations around the world. Additionally, the alliance will enable Absa to provide regulated digital asset services that are compliant with global standards.
Robyn Lawson, director of digital products, custody services at Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, indicated that the bank’s aim is to leverage proven technology to offer its clients a next-generation financial infrastructure that prioritizes security and operational efficiency. The partnership with the payments company also reflects the bank’s broader commitment to digital finance, underscoring its focus on innovation and regulated solutions in a rapidly changing financial landscape.
Africa’s growing interest in digital assets
On its official website, Absa Bank noted that institutional interest in blockchain-based solutions is growing regulatory framework for alternative investments across Africa become brighter. Through the partnership, Ripple will provide the bank with the necessary tools to safely launch modern digital asset offerings while meeting stringent security, operational and compliance requirements.
Reece Merrik, managing director for the Middle East and Africa at Ripple, emphasized that the alliance highlights the continent’s transformation in the exchange and storage of value. He also noted that this shows Ripple’s commitment to enabling financial institutions unleash the full potential of digital assets in Africa.
As part of its broader Africa strategy, Ripple’s partnership with Absa Bank complements ongoing initiatives such as supporting the African payments giant Cash chopper and the introduction of a USD-backed instrument RLUSD stablecoin in the region. The crypto firm’s Novel Value Report 2025 also shows that most financial leaders in the Middle East and Africa see faster cross-border payments as the main reason for adopting blockchain-based solutions.
Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

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