Ripple’s XRP token may be facing an unexpected tailwind. Three major jurisdictions are working on regulatory and adoption changes. These developments could change the way institutions use digital assets in 2026.
In an exclusive interview with BeInCrypto, Bitget Wallet CMO Jamie Elkaleh said Japan is likely to have the biggest near-term impact on XRP adoption.
“Japan already has direct remittance corridors using XRP as a bridge. In particular, SBI Remit operates corridors where remittances from Japan settle to bank accounts in Southeast Asia,” he said. Because these corridors are already operational and not experimental, “the path from adoption to visible use is shorter.”
However, Elkaleh added that the UAE is fast becoming another market with high potential. The country’s virtual asset regime, through the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) and the UAE Central Bank, has created an environment conducive to cryptocurrency payments infrastructure. “The regulatory regime tailored to virtual assets and the growing presence of Ripple Labs in the region make it a strong candidate for new wave adoption,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Europe is laying the groundwork for long-term scaling with the Cryptocurrency Markets (MiCA) framework. Although the regulation is now in place, regulators are still drafting several secondary rules. Transition periods extending to 2026 mean the system is still maturing. But Elkaleh warned that adoption there could take longer: “Institutions tend to move cautiously, and the rails are still consolidating.”
According to Elkaleh, Ripple’s advantage is that Japan has already moved beyond pilot projects. “SBI Remit’s remittance transactions using XRP are live and accessible, which shows that XRP is being used in real-world transactions,” he explained. This means that scaling up is now a matter of volume, not confirmation.
The UAE and the wider MENA region are approaching a tipping point. Regulatory systems are coordinated. VARA’s licensing, Ripple’s DFSA license in Dubai and partnership in Bahrain reduce compliance and legal hurdles for formal settlements. While these flows are not yet on the scale of Japan, “the ecosystem is poised to expand.”
Against this background, Elkaleh said progress in Europe is likely to be slower. “MiCA and the associated regulatory clarity are preparing banks and remittance companies, but it is likely that institutions will continue to adopt XRP-based settlement at scale,” he said.
Looking ahead, Elkaleh believes that regulatory clarity in 2026 can convert XRP to market prices and can evolve in stages throughout the year. “In regions with existing corridors and active projects, new flows can appear within months of the start of regulation. In other regions, especially in Europe, the transition from clarity to scale may take 12 to 24 months. Authorities will need to align treasury policies, integrate systems and start direct settlement of XRP,” he said.