Local media outlet Emirate News Agency reported on Nov. 7 that Ripple had opened a new office in Dubai, establishing the new location as the regional headquarters. 

• Located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the office will be the central headquarters for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region
• Navin Gupta, managing director for South Asia and MENA at Ripple, said that the “opportunity to co-locate with existing clients in MENA” made the Dubai decision a natural one
• Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said that Ripple would play an important part in advancing the use of blockchain technology as a part of the Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021
• The DIFC has over 2,500 registered companies with an established regulatory framework and an independent judicial system
• Ripple Executive Chairman Chris Larsen said that Ripple has that US regulations has made operations difficult and that further issues could result in relocation to the UK or Singapore