LUXEMBOURG, Jan 15, 2026, 00:30 CET
- Ripple announced it has secured preliminary approval for a Luxembourg electronic money license, moving closer to full authorization.
- The change follows EU crypto regulations requiring firms to obtain licenses from national authorities to operate throughout the bloc.
- XRP last traded near $2.14, slipping roughly 1.7% in the last 24 hours.
Ripple has secured preliminary approval for an electronic money institution (EMI) license in Luxembourg. This regulatory green light allows the crypto payments company to extend its regulated payment services throughout the European Union from Luxembourg. 1
The timing is crucial. Under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets rules, or MiCA, crypto companies must secure national regulator authorizations to continue operations across the bloc. Regulators are already pressing those who haven’t acted to either apply or close shop. Licenses under MiCA have been handed out to names like U.S. exchange Coinbase, stablecoin issuer Circle, and British fintech Revolut, according to Reuters. 2
Ripple marked its second big regulatory win in a week by securing Luxembourg clearance, following its recent EMI license and cryptoasset registration in the UK. “The EU was amongst the first major jurisdictions to introduce comprehensive digital assets regulation,” said Ripple President Monica Long, emphasizing the company’s focus on scaling beyond pilot projects for institutions. The firm also highlighted that its payments platform now covers over 90% of daily foreign exchange markets and has handled more than $95 billion in volume so far. 3
Cassie Craddock, Ripple’s managing director for the UK and Europe, called Luxembourg a “premier hub for financial innovation,” crediting the regulator’s approach. She added, “Gaining our preliminary approval is a pivotal step, enabling Ripple to provide essential blockchain infrastructure to clients across the EU.”
XRP, Ripple’s payments token, surged soon after the news broke, Decrypt reported. It traded near $2.17, climbing over 3% at its peak. 4
The gain didn’t last. XRP last checked in around $2.14, slipping 1.66% in the past day, with daily trading volume near $4.45 billion, according to CoinMarketCap. 5
Data from Investing.com showed XRP fluctuated between $2.1123 and $2.1903 on Jan. 14, closing roughly 0.9% lower. The token had jumped 5.4% the previous day, highlighting the rapid shifts in market sentiment. 6
Ripple’s UK expansion is still underway. On Jan. 9, the firm announced it had obtained an EMI license and cryptoasset registration from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, moves aimed at boosting Ripple Payments’ growth across the country. 7
The Luxembourg approval remains preliminary for now. An EMI license grants payments authorization to firms issuing electronic money and providing payment services, but companies usually must meet final conditions before they can fully operate under it.
The regulatory landscape in Europe remains unsettled, posing a clear risk. In December, the European Commission suggested expanding the EU securities watchdog ESMA’s authority to include oversight of crypto-asset providers. This move responds to worries over inconsistent national rules and the cross-border “passporting” of licenses. 8
Ripple pitched the move to Luxembourg as a push for banks and institutions to upgrade from outdated systems to real-time, around-the-clock payments, powered by blockchain behind the scenes.
