Ripple, the blockchain company, has achieved recognition as a virtual asset service provider [VASP] by the Central Bank of Ireland [CBI]. This designation empowers the decentralized platform to offer specific digital asset services within Ireland. Furthermore, Ripple’s Irish subsidiary is poised to extend its services to clients across the European Economic Area once the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation [MiCA] takes effect by the end of 2024, subject to the acquisition of the requisite licenses.
MiCA is the EU’s attempt at bringing a pan-European regulatory framework for crypto companies. It aims to protect investors who are buying and selling crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The rules will allow crypto firms to use one license in one country to operate across all 27 EU member states.
Eric van Miltenburg, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, expressed the significance of this development, stating, “The Central Bank of Ireland’s addition of Ripple Markets to its list of registered virtual asset service providers is a significant step forward for our business in the region.”
He emphasized Ireland’s positioning as a supportive jurisdiction for the virtual asset industry, making it an ideal operational base for Ripple within the EU regulatory framework. Miltenburg noted that Ireland’s commitment to providing regulatory clarity contributes to bolstering confidence in the digital assets, payments, and fintech ecosystem.
Having established its Dublin office in 2022, Ripple has redirected its focus beyond the United States due to stricter regulatory measures at home. The company has already initiated partnerships in France and Sweden.
Ripple’s Historic Win
Ripple has been entangled in a fierce legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] since December 2020. In July 2023, the firm achieved a partial victory when a judge ruled that it did not violate securities laws by selling XRP to exchanges and enabling retail buyers to invest. However, the judge also determined that Ripple did breach the law when selling tokens directly to institutions.
A noteworthy development occurred in October 2023 when the SEC dropped its securities law violation charges against Ripple executives Brad Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen. This event marked a pivotal moment not just for the crypto firm but also for the entire cryptocurrency industry, showcasing evolving dynamics in the regulatory landscape.