Ripple has announced a strategic partnership with Absa Bank to introduce institutional-grade digital asset custody services in Africa, marking one of the most significant collaborations between a global blockchain infrastructure provider and a major African financial institution.
Under the agreement, Absa Bank will adopt Ripple’s custodial infrastructure to offer secure, compliant storage and management of cryptocurrencies and tokenised assets for institutional clients. Ripple’s technology, already serving multiple jurisdictions globally, will allow Absa to integrate blockchain-enabled custody into its existing suite of financial services.
For Absa, this partnership represents a major step toward digital asset readiness. The bank aims to provide clients with access to next-generation financial infrastructure at a time when regulatory frameworks across Africa are rapidly evolving. Robyn Lawson, Absa’s Head of Digital Product: Custody, said the collaboration positions the bank as a leader in secure digital asset services.
Meanwhile, the deal highlights Ripple’s growing push into the African continent. By partnering with Absa, one of South Africa’s largest banks with a presence in more than a dozen countries, Ripple is extending its custody network into a region that holds vast untapped potential. Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, noted that Africa’s digital asset transformation is already underway, and this collaboration is central to unlocking that opportunity.
The launch comes amid a global surge in institutional interest in tokenised assets. Financial institutions and asset managers worldwide are searching for custody solutions that satisfy regulatory demands while offering strong operational security. Ripple’s infrastructure, supported by over 60 licenses globally, aims to fill that gap, particularly in emerging markets where legacy systems and regulatory frameworks are still developing.
The rollout will begin in South Africa, with plans for expansion across other African markets as Absa leverages its regional presence. Clients will gain access to digital asset custody services directly integrated with traditional banking operations, bridging the gap between conventional finance and blockchain-enabled solutions.
However, challenges persist. Regulatory clarity around digital assets remains uneven across the continent, and financial institutions must uphold high standards of compliance, security, and transparency when managing tokenised holdings. Still, this partnership marks a turning point: African banks are no longer sitting on the sidelines of digital innovation. With Ripple’s technology powering its custody infrastructure, Absa is positioning itself for a future where tokenised assets become mainstream and where Africa plays a central role in the evolving global finance ecosystem.
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