Ripple just scored a major regulatory victory in the UK and the market reacted quickly. XRP held around $2.13 even as prices of other cryptocurrencies fell, which stood out during a tough trading day. This shows that legal clarity is starting to have real weight in the crypto markets.
London is one of the world’s major financial centers, so when regulators approve a crypto company, investors take notice.
What has Ripple actually been approved for?
UK unit of Ripple received approval from the Financial Conduct Authority to operate as an electronic money institution. Simply put, this allows Ripple to transfer digital money for businesses, similar to how PayPal or Wise handle payments.
The future of regulated digital asset payments in the UK is here!
Ripple has officially gained approval for an EMI license and cryptoasset registration from the UK FCA.
Who better than our Managing Director for UK and Europe to explain what this means? @CraddockCJ.… pic.twitter.com/q2xyeJQXEF
– Ripple (@ripple) January 9, 2026
Ripple says this allows it to offer regulated payment services on a larger scale. However, this approval does not cover daily users Again. Ripple still cannot offer consumer wallets or crypto ATMs in the UK without additional licenses. For banks and payment companies, what matters most is operating according to clear rules.
Why this license is important for XRP holders
XRP is used in Ripple’s payment system. When Ripple works within strict regulations, large companies feel more comfortable with its network. This confidence often shows up in the price before ordinary traders react.
On top of that, XRP holding steady while other coins have fallen shows that the market values this stability. This also fits with Ripple’s long-term approach of obtaining licenses in major financial regions instead of following short-term price movements. It also supports its upcoming stablecoin, RLUSD, which will require close monitoring to gain trust.
DISCOVER: Best new cryptocurrencies to invest in in 2026
Institutional demand is growing slowly
Interest from large investors is growing, with XRP-focused funds bringing $483 million in December 2025, which points towards growing confidence from professional fund managers who tend to settle down once the legal side feels more settled.
This context helps explain why the UK’s approval carries weight, since the country plans to launch a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework by October 2027, and Ripple is now inside that system rather than waiting on the sidelines.
If you’d like more information on how partnerships power this strategy, check out our breakdown of Undulating partnerships.
DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Cryptocurrencies to Buy in January 2026
What are the risks you should not ignore?
While this is good news for Ripple, this recent approval does not remove all limits. Ripple still cannot directly serve individual users in the UK, and future permissions depend on stay compliant as the rules evolve.
XRP may also remain volatile. Even regulated assets can fall sharply in the event of a sell-off in the broader market. Regulatory progress does not guarantee price gains.
If you look at XRP on a daily basis, our guide on it’s recent XRP price evolution breaks down why rapid declines are still common.
For now, this license strengthens Ripple’s long-term position and pushes XRP further towards real world payment usage.
DISCOVER: More than 20 next cryptocurrencies that will explode in 2025
Follow 99Bitcoins on X for the latest market updates and Subscribe on YouTube for the daily expert market Analysis
The post XRP Price Holds Firm as Ripple Wins Major UK Regulatory License appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
